Module 3 Task 4
Analyse the two exchanges of messages between an international student and a university teacher. Observe the questions asked. Which levels of contract were possibly addressed in those exchanges? Check with the Key. Then consider answering the questions in Ponder Point 2
EXCHANGE 1:
Student: Hello and good evening, Dr. M. It has been a long time since we spoke. I have a quick inquiry regarding the end-of-studies exam in the summer of 2025. Could you please tell me approximately how many prep questions we have to study prior to the examination? 100? 150?Teacher: I am not sure what the context of the question is. What do you mean by the end of studies exam in the summer of 2025?? Which subject?? Which study program?
Student: Well, I assume that at the end of our studies next year, we will be required to do two things.
1. Defend our thesis.
2. Take an “End of the studies” exam in which we will be asked a question or a few questions about a random subject or topic having to do with our studies.
During my BA studies in Wrocław, about 2 months prior to this “end of studies exam,” we were given a set and/or list of questions having to do with various topics concerning our studies. Since we didn’t know which one we would be asked, we had to study all of them and be prepared for whichever one came.
So my new questions are,
1. Do you do something similar at the end of your studies at the Master’s level at Opole University?
2. If so, how many “prep questions” will we have to study prior to “The end of studies exam” 100 questions? 150 questions?
EXCHANGE 2
Student: One more question: If I already have a CPE C2 Cambridge certificate, may I be excused from taking the C2 examination in February 2025? Or would I still have to take it?Teacher: Send me a scan of that certificate, please.
Student: I haven’t taken the exam yet, but I plan to at the end of the summer. Here is the official website where I found testing centres. It is my understanding that CPE is the gold standard when it comes to English knowledge verification.
Teacher: If you want to pay for your CPE exam, it is your choice. We offer a C2 level exam in English within your study program—no extra charge.
Student: But is the C2 exam through Opole University also through Cambridge? Or is it an adapted version?
Teacher: This is our academic version officially confirming your C2 in the learning outcomes for the study program. You get your degree at the university together with proficiency level confirmation.
Student: That’s more than fine, Dr. M, but I spoke to some of the professors who are tasked with helping us prepare for that C2 exam if there would be “Mock exams” or at least one mock exam before the real one and all of them told me that there wouldn’t be... So, we won’t have the opportunity to feel comfortable with the format of the test prior to the exam itself.
Teacher: That is correct, although the teachers use officially published C2 prep materials during classes. We have been doing that for the past 18 years, and so far, no student has decided to take a C2 exam outside of the university to feel comfortable. I am not sure what the problem is here.
Student: But anyway, I found it strange that I couldn’t find any information about the test format. How many sections? How many questions per section? How many points per section, and what percentage must be obtained to pass the test? What is the point system, and how much time is per section? Etc.
Teacher: Here is a link to the document that contains answers to your questions, which can be found on the faculty’s website.
Compare with the Key: See the answer in the Key
To what extent does contracting follow the same line of communication when it comes to your own culture/country? Can you recognise the procedural and the professional levels of communication in your agreements?
Recall a situation in which you experienced communication flaws/pitfalls that relate to the procedural level or the professional level of a contract. To what extent, in your opinion, was that rooted in assumed norms related to the interlocutors’ cultural background?
Think of one specific example when you experienced confusion or an emotional reaction in reference to the psychological level of a contract. How do you usually overcome these obstacles?