English for Administrative Staff
Description
English for Administrative Staff at Tertiary Institutions is a practical course that covers the main aspects of communication, various issues relating to student services and cultural differences in cross-cultural communication. The main aim of the course is to provide administrative staff with the necessary tools to work in an international environment when it comes to all kinds of matters relating to student services. Emphasis is placed on communicative competence and understanding of cultural differences in communication. The course covers the main registers of language used in a formal documentation and student services, in addition to the main barriers of communication.
Participants complete various practical tasks relating to their work, for example, discuss and compare admission and registration processes, student administration work, methods for handing complaints, and how to conduct student consultations effectively. Participants are introduced to the main ways in which to work with people from other cultures, and go over the main strategies on how to deal difficult situations that demand firmness. Telephone skills are also practised. The course also deals with the main cultural differences in communication with emphasis on message structures. Participants are introduced to the main cultural differences between Western and Asian cultures.
The English website
The following themes will be covered:
International Communication: communicative competence, intercultural competence, telephone communication, handling difficulties, complaints, message structures, cultural differences in communication, body language, strategies to enhance communication, language barriers and methods for combating them, how to obtain information during consultations, written messages, and the language of official and formal documents.
Student Services: Exchange programmes, fees and scholarships, student travel and housing, admission requirements and processes, various documents relating to students and administration, academic levels of study, terms for various academic issues, student complaints, student support, rules and regulations that apply to students and related activities and graduation.
Teaching Methods
- Short lectures
- Content-based learning through individual work and group work
- Mock meetings
- Brainstorming sessions
- Communication workshops
Intended course's outcome
Upon competition of the course, participants should have
- A solid understanding of the main message structures that exist in international communication.
- A good understanding of the main cultural differences in communication.
- Improved their understanding and use of specialised terminology in relation to their working environment.
- Attained the necessary skills in handling matters relating to students services by using English
Register for the course
Course overview
Language: English.
Place: Open University at Reykjavik University, Menntavegi 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Course duration: Approximately 5 working days, including the optional excursion trips of Iceand´s culture and nature. It includes about 20 hours of teaching.
Time: Scheduled from 2nd - 6th June 2013, 5 days from 9am - 4pm.
Please send an email to telma@ru.is if you have any preferences.
Instructors
Erlendina Kristjansson, lawyer and lecturer of specialized English and intercultural courses at Reykjavik University. Ms. Kristjansson has taught English for University staff at the University of Iceland, Reykjavik University, and in Poland. She has many years of experience in teaching specialized English course at university level and at companies.
Price
Price: 650 euros per person*
*The fee covers teaching materials, lunch and refreshment each day.
Excursion trips of Iceland's culture and nature are optional and therefore not included in the price.
Spcecial discount is given to groups. Please contact project manager, telma@ru.is, for further information.
Early registration recommended - limted number of seats.
Further information
Telma Sæmundsdóttir, project manager
telma@ru.is
Tel: (+354) 599 6358
