Semester 6 AEC

 

SYLLABUS FOR SEC- SEMESTER 6

Ability Enhancement Course (AEC) 

Subject: Advanced Communication Skills in English- VI Credit: 2   

TEXTBOOK: Aspirations: English for Careers (OB)

Unit 1:	Exploring Careers  • Creative Writing  • Translation  • Journalism  • English for Academia and other careers  • English in the Tourism Industry  • English for Science & technology
Unit 2:	Basic preparation for Jobs  • Writing job application/Cover letter  • Writing Resumes  • Group Discussions  • Personal Interviews  English for the Corporate Field  • English for sales & customer services  • Telephonic sales & customer services  • Digital Sales & customer services  • Presentation Skills

Q 1. MCQs from Unit 1 only (10/10)    10 marks 

Q 2. 

A Group Discussion or Interview            5 marks 

B. Resume Writing  (1/2)  5 marks

C. Letter / Telephonic Conversation        5 marks

                                      OR

Presentation through Powerpoint slides on a given topic (at least 5 slides required).                       5 marks

Total 25 Marks

Q2 A Group Discussion. Page 50- 52- Textbook -Aspiration 

Suggested topics for discussion:

1. Will a day come when the world would rid itself of all divisions of castes, religions and races and a person will be considered as just a human being without any artificial labels to identify him/her?

2. As an extreme sense of individualism and materialism has become the core aspect of life these days, any sort of human relationship is relegated to the background.

3. Celebrity endorsement of products - good or bad? Prepare a group discussion.

4. Which one is better, work from home or regular job? Prepare a group discussion.

5. Education skills, creativity. Do you agree? Prepare a group discussion.

6. Draft a group discussion on the topic: climate change.

7. Draft a  group discussion on: Role of sports in education

General Starters and Phrases for Group Discussions

• “To begin with, I would like to highlight that…”

• “One important point to consider is…”

• “Building on what my colleague has said…”

• “Another perspective worth discussing is…”

• “It is essential to understand that…”

• “In my opinion, the key factor here is…”

• “I agree with the previous speaker, and would like to add…”

• “To summarize my points…”

• “Looking at the issue from a broader angle…”

• “Let us not forget that…”

• “It would be interesting to explore…”

• “On the contrary, some might argue that…”

• “The evidence clearly suggests that…”

• “Considering all these points, it becomes clear that…”

Format for Group Discussion

 

Here are some activities to practise interview skills.

1. Imagine that you are being interviewed for the post of a sales executive and that you are asked to talk about your strengths and weaknesses as a person. Write down what you will say in a short paragraph of six sentences.

2. You have applied for a bank loan to study abroad and have been asked to attend an interview. Think of five questions that you could be asked and write them down along with your possible responses. Enact the interview with a partner. 

3. Draft an Interview of minimum 10 questions and their responses on the following situation: 

i) A job interview for the post of a Drawing Teacher in a school

ii) A famous film star’s media interview for a radio channel.

iii) Draft an interview conversation between the employers and a candidate for the post of a manager in a bank.

iv) Make a list of 10 questions which can be asked to a candidate during an interview for the post of a receptionist. Also draft relevant responses in the dialogue form.

Format 

Interviewer: Mr. Raj Gupta, Mr. Sunil Shah and Ms. Neerja Patel

Interviewee: Mr. Gautam Sehgal 

Situation : ( interview for the post of a sales executive) or (Interview for the bank loan application to study abroad)

Time : 10 AM in the morning

Venue: The Interview room near the multimedia hall

Knock knock 

Interviewee: May I come in?

Interviewer: Yes please.

                    : Please sit down.

Interviewee: Good morning! Thank you. I am happy to meet you all. 

Interviewer: Good morning!  Can you tell us about yourself?

Interviewee: Sure. I am hard-working and I learn quickly. I work well alone and with others. I like to solve problems and stay positive.

Interviewer: Tell us about your family.

Interviewee: …

Interviewer: Tell us in brief about your educational qualification.

Interviewee: …

Interviewer: What are your best qualities?

Interviewee: I am good at talking with people, managing my time, and staying calm when I am busy.

Interviewer: What is one thing you want to get better at?

Interviewee: Sometimes, I spend too much time on small details. I am learning to focus on what is most important.

Interviewer: Why do you want this job / loan?

Interviewee: This chance will help me learn new skills and reach my goals.

Interviewer: How do you stay calm when work is hard?

Interviewee: I plan my work carefully and take small breaks. Talking with others also helps me.

Interviewer: Tell me about a problem you solved.

Interviewee: Once, we had little time for a big project. I helped my team work together and finish on time.

Interviewer: Where do you want to be in five years?

Interviewee: I want to have a good job and keep learning new things.

Interviewer: Do you have any questions for me?

Interviewee: Yes, I want to know about the team and what the job will focus on first.

Answer specifically to 1st question :

As someone who values growth, I believe my strengths lie in strong communication skills, adaptability, and a positive attitude towards challenges. I am able to work well in a team as well as independently, and I approach my tasks with diligence and responsibility. One area I continuously strive to improve is my tendency to focus on details, occasionally spending extra time on perfection, which I am learning to balance through better prioritisation. I am also working on managing stress effectively during peak workload times. Overall, I am committed to personal development and contributing meaningfully to my role or organisation. I welcome feedback as a way to learn and overcome my limitations.

Answer specifically to 2nd question :

Q1: What is your motivation for studying abroad?  

A: My motivation is to gain global exposure, develop specialised skills in my field, and enhance my career opportunities with an international perspective.

Q2: How do you plan to manage expenses during your studies?  

A: I have prepared a detailed budget and plan to supplement my expenses through scholarships and part-time work allowed under my student visa.

Q3: Why did you choose this particular university/program?  

A: I chose this university for its reputation, faculty expertise, and alignment with my career goals, ensuring optimal learning outcomes.

Q4: What are your long-term career plans after finishing your course?  

A: After graduating, I aim to apply my skills in India’s growing sector, contributing to business development and innovation, and giving back through mentorship.

Q5: How will you ensure repayment of the loan?  

A: I am confident that my advanced qualifications will help me secure a stable job after graduation, making loan repayment feasible as per the agreed schedule.

Q2 B. Resume writing 

1. Prepare a resume or a CV for the post of a marketing manager. Write a cover letter matching the CV or resume.
2. Draft a CV for an older relative or friend, who is employed.
3. Draft a resume for the post office sales manager in a textile company.
4. Draft a resume for the post of a Secondary school Teacher in mathematics
5. Prepare the person, CV and also include a cover letter on the below give list;
1. Browse the internet for the biographical details of a leading cardiac surgeon, 
2. the CEO of an engineering company and 
3.  a media personality.
4. Production manager in an organisation
5. Royal Finances, Ahmedabad, have advertised for the post of Finance Manager. Draft a detailed resume to be sent for the post.
6. Draft resume for the post of a software developer.

Q2 C. Telephonic Conversation and Presentation 

Format for Group Discussion

Questions:

1. Draft a telephonic dialogue between a customer and a sales executive. The customer is unhappy about the service offered and the sales executive is trying to find a solution to the problem..
2. Work in pairs to choose a topic for presentation. Next, research the topic and prepare content for an informative and interesting presentation. Organise your content using PPT slides. Use pictures, videos or other aids as required. Now your team of two is required to take turns and make an oral presentation on the above topic before the entire class. Your presentation should include 10 minutes of presentation time and 5 minutes for questions from the audience. Plan your presentation accordingly.
3. Each of you will have to submit a written feedback in around 100 to 150 words on the presentations made by any two teams in your class, other than your own team. Use the following criteria to rate their presentations: quality of content, appropriateness of content, quality of PPT, voice quality, body language (posture, gestures and facial expressions), fluency in speaking, clarity of explanations, creating interest among the audience, time management, handling audience questions, overall value and effect of the presentation. Also, add your suggestions about how they can improve their presentation skills.
4. Drafts a conversation between Miss Sharma, the G.S. of a college and Mr. Pandya, the principal, where they are discussing the arrangements of Annual Cultural Programme of the college.

Q2 C. Presentation 

1. Prepare a PPT presentation on your new electronic product launching.
2. Create a PowerPoint presentation on water conservation as an environment mentalist of an NGO by preparing minimum five slides with explanation of each slide.
3. As a yoga instructor, prepare a PowerPoint presentation in minimum five slides on the role and importance of Yoga in one’s life. Give explanation of each slide.
4. Prepare a presentation of seven slides on-  the use of AI tools in education.
5. Write a presentation with slides on the following: The role of artificial intelligence in business transformation.

Model Paper 

Q1.

Multiple Choice Questions

10

1.      Online creative writing does not involve ____.

a.       Ad writing

b.      Blogs

c.       Vlogs

d.      Newspaper reports

2.      Creative skills is ____

a.       A skill

b.      A talent

c.       Both skill and talent

d.      None

3.      A good translation must combine ______ and _____.

a.       Accuracy and creativity

b.      Accuracy and correctness

c.       Clarity and complexity

d.      None

4.      In depth analysis is part of ____

a.       Snippets

b.      Headlines

c.       Leads

d.      Features

5.      Proofreading fits newspapers demand in ______.

a.       Minary

b.      Software

c.       Linguistic

d.      Legal

6.      The central focus of ESP is on ______.

a.       Leaners/ inner psyche

b.      Leaners need

c.       Teachers’ ability

d.      All of the above

7.      Imagery plays a vital role in describing _____ aspects.

a.       Sensory

b.      Sensible

c.       Sensitivity

d.      Sentimental   

8.      Empathy involves ____.

a.       Pity

b.      Respect

c.       Identification

d.      Motivation

9.      Timely _____  is crucial to problem solving.

a.       Decision making

b.      Delegating

c.       Prioritising

d.      None

10.  Reports are usually _____ in nature.

a.       Anaytical

b.      Hypothetical

c.       Formative

d.      Homogeneous

Q2.A. Group Discussion or Interview                                                                                  5

1. Draft a script for a group discussion on the topic, the importance of reliability skills in professional and personal relations.

2. Prepare a script for group discussion on the topic, gender discrimination.

OR

 

Interview

1.  Mr. Sharma is appearing for an interview at M. K. Arts and Science College, Rajkot for the post of an-Assistant Professor in the subject of Mathematics. The Principal Dr. Bose is taking his interview. Draft a suitable interview dialogue consisting of minimum seven questions based on qualification, experience, teaching methods, dealing with students, salary etc.

 

2. Rajan Kumar appears for an interview at Bajaj Automobile Show- Room, Vadodara for the post of an Accountant. Mr. Narang, the Manager of the Show-Room takes his interview. Draft a suitable interview dialogue for this situation consisting of minimum seven questions based on education, experience, salary, timings, maintaining proper accounts etc

 

Q2.B. Resume Writing  (1/2)                                                                                                5

1. A well-known pharmaceutical company of Ahmedabad urgently requires a medical representative. The company is going to offer a handsome salary even to freshers. You have just completed your graduation with chemistry as a major subject. Create a resume with a cover letter for the same.

 

2. You come to know that there is a job interview at a multinational Corporation as a sales executive. Applications are invited for MBA candidates with minimum two years of experience. Create a resume with a cover letter for the same.

 

Q2.C. Letter / Telephonic Conversation                                                                               5

1. Prepare a telephonic conversation between the committee members who are into the resident association of an apartment, and are planning to have a cultural fest to raise fund for the victims of the earthquake.

2. Draft a telephonic dialogue between a customer and a sales executive. The customer is unhappy about the service offered and the sales executive is trying to find a solution to the problem.

OR Letter

1. Mr. Ramesh Patel wants to resign from the post of a clerk in a school. Draft a letter of resignation on his behalf.

2. Draft a letter to be sent to a candidate offering the post of a project supervisor in Sun Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Vapi.

OR

Presentation through PowerPoint slides on a given topic (at least 5 slides required):                       

1. Prepare seven slides along with script on Solar Energy: the future fuel.

2. Prepare seven slides along with script on the growing threat of cyber crimes.