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TECHNISCH ENGELS
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Uitgave 2013
2 de jaar professionele bachelor in het vastgoed
Verantwoordelijke auteurs:
Erika Janssens
o ent
NATUUR
EN
TECHNIEK
,,
ITABLE OF CONTENTS I
I INTRODUCTION 6
I UNIT 1: GRAMMAR + SPELLING 9
1 Check your grammar level 9
2 Check your spelling level 16
I UNIT 2: VOCABULARY 17
1 Idioms 17
2 Phrasal verbs 20
3 Confusing words 22
4 Prepositions 24
5 British and American English 26
I UNIT 3: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 28
1 Making professional contact 29
2 Making appointments 34
3 Travelling on business 40
4 Email 45
5 Telephoning 60
I UNIT 4: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION 72
1 Numbers 72
2 Exercises and texts in connection with your line of study 82
and additional professional literature.
I LIST OF REFERENCES
,I INTRODUCTION I
WHAT DOES THIS COURSE OFFER YOU?
This English course pays attention to some aspects of oral communication as well
as written communication. You must realise that in business it is often necessary
to communicate in English successfully. That is why you must be able to
understand and interpret a written or oral text. For the same reason you should
also be able to put a message into words correctly.
The course consists of the following parts:
'B-uren'
1 Vocabulary: idioms, phrasal verbs, confusing words, prepositions, British and
American English
2 Business communication: Making professional contact, Making appointments,
Travelling on business, Email, Telephoning
3 Technical communication: Numbers, Texts and vocabulary in connection with
your line of study and business
4 Check your grammar and spelling level
'C-uren' (Guided self-study)
Theory and exercises in order to brush up and deepen the knowledge of
grammar and spelling.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU DURING CLASSES?
In order to obtain the final competences you should attend all classes.
Furthermore, you should prepare exercises at home and gear your study method
to the 'knowledge, skills and attitudes' mentioned in the different units.
You must complete the syllabus with notes during classes.
Regularly check the 'progress planning' on Chamilo.
HOW IS GUIDED SELF-STUDY ORGANISED?
Guided self-study is offered in two ways: by means of an electronic learning
environment, called 'The Language Focus' and by means of a special syllabus.
You will find two kinds of exercises: exercises with a key (self-assessment) and
revision exercises that should be prepared for the tutorial.
Introduction 6
,WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FINAL COMPETENCES?
1 Written communication skills (Het vermogen tot communiceren van informatie,
ideeen, problemen en oplossingen, zowel aan specialisten als leken)
• You master the basic grammar and spelling.
• You understand and use a general, business-oriented and professional
training-oriented vocabulary.
• You understand and interpret business-oriented and professional training-
oriented texts and conversations (reading and listening skills).
• You formulate your message fluently, clearly, concisely and correctly in
various businesslike situations.
2 The ability to function in an international environment.
3 Cross-cultural awareness
You know some important differences between British and American English
concerning pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary.
4 Obtaining and dealing with information.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
The English course is part of the course 'Communication skills'.
Evaluation: written exam (first and second exam session)
The expectations for the written examination can be found on Chamilo and are
the same for the first and second examination session.
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED?
Dunglish
Dunglish is a portmanteau word of Dutch and English. It is spoken by
native speakers of Dutch who are unaware that their English is badly
infected by their Dutch. The Dutch word for the poorest form of Dunglish
is Steenko/enenge/s. This term goes back to the early 20 th century when
Dutch port workers used a rudimentary form of English to communicate
with the personnel of English coal ships.
Errors mainly occur in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
Some examples:
• Many Dutch speakers have trouble distinguishing between bat, bad, bet,
bed.
Introduction 7
, • Some Dutch speakers may use Dutch syntax inappropriately when using
English, creating errors such as Have you hunger? instead of Are you
hungry?
• A former Dutch prime minister said that 'the Dutch are a nation of
undertakers'. He should have said that 'the Dutch are a nation of
entrepreneurs'.
Questions
1 Translate into Dutch: portmanteau word, unaware, rudimentary,
inappropriately, undertaker, entrepreneur
2 What is meant by 'Dunglish'?
3 Explain the origin of 'Steenkolenengels'.
4 Where do errors mainly occur? Give an example.
Introduction 8
, I UNIT 1: GRAMMAR AND SPELLING I
Kennis Je beheerst de basisgrammatica.
Je kent de belangrijkste spellingreltels.
Vaardigheden Je bent in staat om de basisgrammatica met behulp
van de 'The Language Focus' zelfstandig op te frissen.
Je kunt de regels van de basisgrammatica toepassen.
Je kunt de spellingregels toepassen.
Attitudes Je beseft dat het instuderen van de basisgrammatica
een vereiste is om de taal te kunnen spreken en
schrijven.
Je beseft dat het correct toepassen van de
basisgrammatica misverstanden vermijdt en de
communicatie bevordert.
Je bent alert voor spelfouten.
Je staat kritisch tegenover wat je zelf schrijft.
Je hebt zin voor nauwkeurigheid.
Je zoekt woorden waaraan je twijfelt op in de geijkte
bronnen.
"
11 CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR LEVEL
r
CHOOSE THE MOST APPROI?RIATE ANSWER(S)
wJ/'ri.)/
1. Last year, our profIts ( ..... ) by 20 percent.
have increased
did increase
'
l,...c~
o~~~ e
C \:)k
CJ
A::
~
was increasing
xincreased
-<:)
. .tf
k;-/! e /~·I
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 9
, 2. If Graham had read the small print, he C..... ) the contract.
! would not had signed
had not signed
would not sign
-t'would not have signed
3. What time C..... ) dinner?
Jane has
has Jane
;t does Jane have
is Jane eating
4. If the current economic trend continues, sales are C..... ) to increase.
probable
probably
possible
"'-likely
5. Martha does not like mathematics.
So does not John.
John doesn't too.
John doesn't either.
xNeither does John.
6. All our manufacturing plants are efficient, but at the moment the one in
northern France is operating C..... ) (superlative).
more efficiently
most efficient
efficientiest
.\.most efficiently
7. I C..... ) the goods this afternoon. (arrangement in the near future)
despatch
will despatch
'\am despatching
am going to despatch
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 10
, 8. Whose telephone number is it? ........ .
It's that of George
It's Georges.
!dIt's George's
It's George his telephone number.
9. I C...•• ) to work by car, but sometimes I walk.
go usually
. 'm usually going
,-b usually go
'm going usually
10. 'Are there any biscuits?' 'Yes there are C..••• ) in the kitchen cupboard.'
»some
any
something
none
11. You speak C..••• ).
;every good English
Jt'English very well
very well English
English very good
12. Mr Clark C..••• ) in a bank for 15 years. Then he gave it up.
Ihas been working
has worked
was working
rworked
13. We didn't spend C...•• ) money.
no
much
many
,A1 a lot of
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 11
I
;
;
I,
i
j
i~
TECHNISCH ENGELS
I
I
Uitgave 2013
2 de jaar professionele bachelor in het vastgoed
Verantwoordelijke auteurs:
Erika Janssens
o ent
NATUUR
EN
TECHNIEK
,,
ITABLE OF CONTENTS I
I INTRODUCTION 6
I UNIT 1: GRAMMAR + SPELLING 9
1 Check your grammar level 9
2 Check your spelling level 16
I UNIT 2: VOCABULARY 17
1 Idioms 17
2 Phrasal verbs 20
3 Confusing words 22
4 Prepositions 24
5 British and American English 26
I UNIT 3: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 28
1 Making professional contact 29
2 Making appointments 34
3 Travelling on business 40
4 Email 45
5 Telephoning 60
I UNIT 4: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION 72
1 Numbers 72
2 Exercises and texts in connection with your line of study 82
and additional professional literature.
I LIST OF REFERENCES
,I INTRODUCTION I
WHAT DOES THIS COURSE OFFER YOU?
This English course pays attention to some aspects of oral communication as well
as written communication. You must realise that in business it is often necessary
to communicate in English successfully. That is why you must be able to
understand and interpret a written or oral text. For the same reason you should
also be able to put a message into words correctly.
The course consists of the following parts:
'B-uren'
1 Vocabulary: idioms, phrasal verbs, confusing words, prepositions, British and
American English
2 Business communication: Making professional contact, Making appointments,
Travelling on business, Email, Telephoning
3 Technical communication: Numbers, Texts and vocabulary in connection with
your line of study and business
4 Check your grammar and spelling level
'C-uren' (Guided self-study)
Theory and exercises in order to brush up and deepen the knowledge of
grammar and spelling.
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM YOU DURING CLASSES?
In order to obtain the final competences you should attend all classes.
Furthermore, you should prepare exercises at home and gear your study method
to the 'knowledge, skills and attitudes' mentioned in the different units.
You must complete the syllabus with notes during classes.
Regularly check the 'progress planning' on Chamilo.
HOW IS GUIDED SELF-STUDY ORGANISED?
Guided self-study is offered in two ways: by means of an electronic learning
environment, called 'The Language Focus' and by means of a special syllabus.
You will find two kinds of exercises: exercises with a key (self-assessment) and
revision exercises that should be prepared for the tutorial.
Introduction 6
,WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FINAL COMPETENCES?
1 Written communication skills (Het vermogen tot communiceren van informatie,
ideeen, problemen en oplossingen, zowel aan specialisten als leken)
• You master the basic grammar and spelling.
• You understand and use a general, business-oriented and professional
training-oriented vocabulary.
• You understand and interpret business-oriented and professional training-
oriented texts and conversations (reading and listening skills).
• You formulate your message fluently, clearly, concisely and correctly in
various businesslike situations.
2 The ability to function in an international environment.
3 Cross-cultural awareness
You know some important differences between British and American English
concerning pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary.
4 Obtaining and dealing with information.
HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?
The English course is part of the course 'Communication skills'.
Evaluation: written exam (first and second exam session)
The expectations for the written examination can be found on Chamilo and are
the same for the first and second examination session.
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED?
Dunglish
Dunglish is a portmanteau word of Dutch and English. It is spoken by
native speakers of Dutch who are unaware that their English is badly
infected by their Dutch. The Dutch word for the poorest form of Dunglish
is Steenko/enenge/s. This term goes back to the early 20 th century when
Dutch port workers used a rudimentary form of English to communicate
with the personnel of English coal ships.
Errors mainly occur in pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
Some examples:
• Many Dutch speakers have trouble distinguishing between bat, bad, bet,
bed.
Introduction 7
, • Some Dutch speakers may use Dutch syntax inappropriately when using
English, creating errors such as Have you hunger? instead of Are you
hungry?
• A former Dutch prime minister said that 'the Dutch are a nation of
undertakers'. He should have said that 'the Dutch are a nation of
entrepreneurs'.
Questions
1 Translate into Dutch: portmanteau word, unaware, rudimentary,
inappropriately, undertaker, entrepreneur
2 What is meant by 'Dunglish'?
3 Explain the origin of 'Steenkolenengels'.
4 Where do errors mainly occur? Give an example.
Introduction 8
, I UNIT 1: GRAMMAR AND SPELLING I
Kennis Je beheerst de basisgrammatica.
Je kent de belangrijkste spellingreltels.
Vaardigheden Je bent in staat om de basisgrammatica met behulp
van de 'The Language Focus' zelfstandig op te frissen.
Je kunt de regels van de basisgrammatica toepassen.
Je kunt de spellingregels toepassen.
Attitudes Je beseft dat het instuderen van de basisgrammatica
een vereiste is om de taal te kunnen spreken en
schrijven.
Je beseft dat het correct toepassen van de
basisgrammatica misverstanden vermijdt en de
communicatie bevordert.
Je bent alert voor spelfouten.
Je staat kritisch tegenover wat je zelf schrijft.
Je hebt zin voor nauwkeurigheid.
Je zoekt woorden waaraan je twijfelt op in de geijkte
bronnen.
"
11 CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR LEVEL
r
CHOOSE THE MOST APPROI?RIATE ANSWER(S)
wJ/'ri.)/
1. Last year, our profIts ( ..... ) by 20 percent.
have increased
did increase
'
l,...c~
o~~~ e
C \:)k
CJ
A::
~
was increasing
xincreased
-<:)
. .tf
k;-/! e /~·I
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 9
, 2. If Graham had read the small print, he C..... ) the contract.
! would not had signed
had not signed
would not sign
-t'would not have signed
3. What time C..... ) dinner?
Jane has
has Jane
;t does Jane have
is Jane eating
4. If the current economic trend continues, sales are C..... ) to increase.
probable
probably
possible
"'-likely
5. Martha does not like mathematics.
So does not John.
John doesn't too.
John doesn't either.
xNeither does John.
6. All our manufacturing plants are efficient, but at the moment the one in
northern France is operating C..... ) (superlative).
more efficiently
most efficient
efficientiest
.\.most efficiently
7. I C..... ) the goods this afternoon. (arrangement in the near future)
despatch
will despatch
'\am despatching
am going to despatch
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 10
, 8. Whose telephone number is it? ........ .
It's that of George
It's Georges.
!dIt's George's
It's George his telephone number.
9. I C...•• ) to work by car, but sometimes I walk.
go usually
. 'm usually going
,-b usually go
'm going usually
10. 'Are there any biscuits?' 'Yes there are C..••• ) in the kitchen cupboard.'
»some
any
something
none
11. You speak C..••• ).
;every good English
Jt'English very well
very well English
English very good
12. Mr Clark C..••• ) in a bank for 15 years. Then he gave it up.
Ihas been working
has worked
was working
rworked
13. We didn't spend C...•• ) money.
no
much
many
,A1 a lot of
Unit 1: Grammar + Spelling 11
