Oral business communication techniques in German 1

Teacher(s)

Hermann Manon;

Language

Deutsch

Prerequisites

B2 level of listening and reading, B2 level of speaking (Common European Framework of Reference)

Main themes

This course introduces the general principles of communication particularly the linguistic, sociolinguistic, pragmatic and cultural aspects of interaction. Special attention will be paid to specific characteristics of communication in the German-speaking world. This general introduction will be followed by a detailed presentation of techniques which should be implemented in communication activities specific to a company. These techniques will be analysed on the basis of conversation analysis: typology, conversation situations, conversation structure (macro- and micro-strucutres), phonology, 'Exercises accompanying the course will allow students to simulate active participation in a variety of situations. The students' simulations will be recorded and subsequently analysed in detail.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of the course, students should be able to master the general principles of communication in a German-speaking business environment and they should at least have reached a B2+ oral level (Common European Framework of Reference) in German.

Content

The following topics will be covered:

• General introduction to business communication (theory, models, media, etc.)
• Introduction to communication with employees and customers
• Description of various business communication situations (meetings, phone calls, oral presentations and other types of oral communication, etc.)
• Discussion of different types of business communication (communication in times of crisis, communication in times of change, international communication, etc.)

At the end of the semester, students will also be required to make an oral presentation on a German company and its communication strategies.

Teaching methods

Volume 1: Lectures (PowerPoint presentations) on business communication theory (models, types, etc.).
Volume 2: Exercises on different communication strategies and role plays. Vocabulary training. Training of oral fluency.

Evaluation methods

The theoretical part (volume 1) and the practical part (volume 2) are each worth 50% of the final mark.
In the theoretical part (10/20), the oral presentation is worth 30% and the oral exam 70%. The oral presentation is about a German company and its communication strategies. The oral exam is based on the topics covered in the course.
In the practical part (10/20), 50% is attributed to the presentation during the four-month term and 50% is an oral test in week 14 on the topics seen and the students' presentations.
In case of participation in the August session, the student will retake all evaluation activities (e.g. oral exam, presentation) for which he/she did not obtain 10/20.
NB: If artificial intelligence (AI) is used in the preparation of the oral presentations, it must be used responsibly and in accordance with academic and scientific integrity practices.

Other information

The exercise sessions (15 hours) are given by the Institut des Langues Vivantes (ILV).

Bibliography

• Höbl, A. (2015) Überzeugend und erfolgreich am Telefon: Das Kompakttraining für zielorientiertes Telefonieren. München: Verlag C.H. Beck
• Mast, C. (2020) Unternehmenskommunikation. München: UVK Verlag
• Mentzel, W. (2020) Erfolgreiche Präsentationen und Vorträge: Redeangst überwinden, Lampenfieber beherrschen. München: Verlag C. H. Beck
• Pawloski, P. (2005) Konstruktiv Gespräche führen: Fähigkeiten aktivieren, Ziele verfolgen, Lösungen finden. München: Ernst Reinhardt
• Rommerskirchen, J. & Roslon, M. (2020) Einführung in die moderne Unternehmenskommunikation. Grundlagen, Theorien und Praxis. Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler.
• Schröder-Beck, I. (2020) Business Deutsch für die Arbeit im Büro. Independently published.
• Seifert, J-W. (2013) Besprechungen erfolgreich moderieren. Offenbach: GABAL Verlag

Faculty or entity

> ELAL