Projekty licencjackie na lingwistyce dla biznesu. Nowe perspektywy w nauczaniu
Undergraduate projects in linguistics for business: new perspectives in teaching

Author(s): Aleksandra Beata Makowska
Subject(s): Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: BA project; problem-based method; project-based method; tutoring; coach; linguistics; project management
Summary/Abstract: The dynamically changing labour market poses new challenges to educational institutions that educate professionals. The task of these institutions is to meet the demands so that educated graduates are best prepared to perform their professional duties. Therefore, the creation of Linguistics for Business, a three-year interdisciplinary bachelor’s programme of studies with a practical profile, which combines business elements with language skills, is the response of University of Lodz to market needs. Students acquire business management skills combined with the command of two modern languages: English and a second language, i.e., German, French or Russian at B2+ level that give graduates an advantage on the labour market. This article is devoted to the method of conducting a BA seminar during which BA theses are created that act as the culmination of the educational process. They are prepared in the form of practical BA projects in project groups and integrate knowledge and skills gained in various classes during the course of the studies. This innovative approach to the education of business professionals reflects modern trends in teaching: combining elements of tutoring, problem-based, project-based methods and project management. Students are tasked with defining a practical problem and solving it using scientific research methods, and developing a physical product based on the obtained results. In the process of thesis development, the seminar tutor is merely a coach, supporting the whole process, and the students choose the topic, research methods and the materials to be used in its creation. The innovative character of the Linguistics for Business bachelor’s theses is thus manifested on several levels: the interdisciplinary approach to conducting the seminar, the integration of knowledge and skills from different scientific disciplines, the way the thesis is prepared, its practical nature or even the developed product. In addition, BA theses in the form of group projects at Linguistics for Business simulate potential situations in the workplace and can therefore set new trends in the training of professionals.

• Details
• Contents