ANGLAIS 1 ÈRE ANNÉE OPTION COMMERCIALE ET GESTION

PRÉLIMINAIRES

Cette introduction au cours d’anglais de première année pose les fondations linguistiques indispensables au futur technicien en gestion commerciale. Bien que le français soit la langue de l’enseignement, l’anglais est la langue incontournable des affaires internationales. The pedagogical approach aims to familiarize the student with the basic logic, vocabulary, and pronunciation of the English language. Loin d’une simple mémorisation de règles de grammaire, the objective is to develop a practical ability to understand and use basic English in a concrete business situation, whether it is greeting a foreign client or reading a simple commercial document. Le cours s’ancre dans la réalité économique congolaise, preparing the student to evolve in an environment where cross-border trade (for instance, with English-speaking neighboring countries) is frequent.

0.1. Course Objectives (Objectifs du cours)

The main objective of this course is to allow the student to acquire the fundamental basics of the English language. He/she must master essential grammar, understand everyday vocabulary, and be able to construct simple and correct sentences. The course focuses on building confidence in speaking and writing at a beginner level, specifically oriented towards a professional and commercial context.

0.2. Target Skills (Compétences visées)

At the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Introduce himself/herself and others in a professional context.
• Understand and use basic numbers, dates, times, and prices in commercial transactions.
• Describe a simple office environment and daily professional routines.
• Write short, basic messages and understand simple instructions in English.

0.3. Methodological Approach (Approche méthodologique)

L’enseignement privilégiera l’interactivité et la pratique orale. The lessons will use simple practical cases to illustrate grammatical concepts. Examples drawn from daily life and the local commercial environment (e.g., welcoming a foreign partner at Ndjili airport, giving prices in a shop in Kinshasa) will serve as a learning support. The teacher will encourage repetition, role-playing, and the use of audio materials to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.

PART I: FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH COMMUNICATION

This first part focuses on breaking the language barrier. It provides the student with the most basic and universal tools needed to establish first contact with an English speaker. The goal is to ensure the student can navigate standard social interactions and share basic factual information without hesitation.

Chapter 1: First Contacts and Greetings

1.1. Greetings and Leave-takings

Learning how to say hello and goodbye appropriately depending on the time of day and the level of formality (formal vs. informal business greetings).

1.2. Introductions

Mastering the phrases needed to introduce oneself (name, age, profession) and to introduce a colleague or a business partner to someone else.

1.3. The Alphabet and Spelling

Practicing the English alphabet to be able to spell names, company names, and email addresses accurately over the phone or in person.

1.4. Countries and Nationalities

Identifying major countries, especially those relevant to international trade, and learning the corresponding adjectives for nationalities and languages.

Chapter 2: Numbers, Time, and Dates

2.1. Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

Counting from zero to one million, which is crucial for discussing quantities, inventory, and serial numbers.

2.2. Telling the Time

Learning how to ask for and give the time using standard English formats (AM/PM, past/to, o’clock, half past) for scheduling meetings.

2.3. Days, Months, and Dates

Understanding the days of the week, months of the year, and the correct format for writing and saying dates in both British and American English.

2.4. Expressing Prices

Combining numbers and vocabulary to ask for prices and state the cost of goods using different currencies (Francs Congolais, Dollars, Euros).

Chapter 3: Essential Grammar 1 (The Building Blocks)

3.1. The Verb « To Be » (Present Tense)

Conjugation and usage of the verb « to be » in affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms to describe states and identities.

3.2. The Verb « To Have » (Present Tense)

Using « to have » (and « have got ») to express possession, which is vital for discussing company assets, products, and personal belongings.

3.3. Personal and Possessive Pronouns

Using pronouns (I, you, he, she…) and possessive adjectives (my, your, his, our…) to clarify who is doing what and who owns what in a business context.

3.4. Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those)

Learning how to point out specific objects, documents, or products near or far from the speaker during a presentation or a sale.

PART II: THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND ROUTINES

This section immerses the student in the daily life of a company. By learning the vocabulary of the workplace and the grammar of habits, the student becomes capable of describing what they do, where they work, and what their responsibilities are.

Chapter 4: The Office and Workplace

4.1. Office Furniture and Equipment

Acquiring the vocabulary for everyday office items: desk, chair, computer, printer, files, and stationery.

4.2. Prepositions of Place

Using words like « in, on, under, next to, behind » to locate documents or equipment within the office space.

4.3. Using « There is » and « There are »

Describing the contents of a room or a warehouse (e.g., « There is a meeting room on the first floor, » « There are ten boxes in the storage »).

4.4. Places in a Company

Vocabulary related to the different parts of a commercial building (reception, manager’s office, break room, warehouse).

Chapter 5: Daily Business Routines

5.1. Action Verbs in Business

Learning common verbs used in commercial management: work, buy, sell, call, write, send, organize.

5.2. The Present Simple (Affirmative and Negative)

Conjugating regular and irregular verbs in the present simple to talk about permanent situations and daily habits.

5.3. Asking Questions in the Present Simple

Using the auxiliaries « do » and « does » to ask clients or colleagues about their needs, habits, and preferences.

5.4. Adverbs of Frequency

Using words like « always, usually, often, sometimes, never » to explain how often certain commercial tasks are performed.

Chapter 6: Current Projects and Actions

6.1. The Present Continuous Tense

Learning how to form the present continuous (to be + verb-ing) to describe actions happening right now at the moment of speaking.

6.2. Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

Understanding the crucial difference between a routine action (Present Simple) and a temporary or ongoing project (Present Continuous).

6.3. Describing Trends

Using the present continuous to describe changing situations in the market (e.g., « Prices are going up, » « The company is growing »).

6.4. Business Dress Code

Vocabulary related to clothing and describing what people are wearing during a workday or a specific professional event.

PART III: BASIC COMMERCIAL INTERACTIONS

This part bridges the gap between basic grammar and actual business skills. Students will learn how to handle foundational professional tasks in English, such as taking a simple phone call, writing a basic email, and interacting with customers in a retail or trade setting.

Chapter 7: Basic Telephoning Skills

7.1. Essential Telephone Vocabulary

Learning the specific terms used for phone calls (to ring, to hang up, to dial, the line is busy).

7.2. Answering the Phone

Standard phrases for picking up the phone professionally and stating the name of the company and oneself.

7.3. Asking to Speak to Someone

Polite formulas for requesting to talk to a specific manager or department (e.g., « Could I speak to the sales manager, please? »).

7.4. Taking Simple Messages

Learning how to ask for the caller’s name, phone number, and a brief reason for the call when the requested person is absent.

Chapter 8: Introduction to Written Correspondence

8.1. The Layout of a Simple Email

Understanding the basic fields of an email interface (To, From, Subject, CC) translated into English.

8.2. Opening and Closing an Email

Learning standard greetings (Dear Mr. Smith) and basic sign-offs (Best regards, Sincerely) suitable for a first-year level.

8.3. Making Simple Requests in Writing

Using polite language to ask for information, a catalog, or a price list via email.

8.4. Thanking and Acknowledging

Writing a short message to thank a supplier for a document or to confirm that a message has been well received.

Chapter 9: Buying and Selling Basics

9.1. Retail and Shop Vocabulary

Words and expressions used in a store or commercial agency: customer, shop assistant, receipt, shelf, checkout.

9.2. Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Understanding the grammatical difference between items you can count (pens, boxes) and bulk concepts (water, money, information).

9.3. How Much vs. How Many

Asking questions about quantities and prices correctly to manage inventory or negotiate a basic purchase.

9.4. Expressing Needs and Wants

Using verbs like « want, » « need, » and « would like » to serve a customer or order supplies for the company.

PART IV: SOCIALIZING AND TRAVELING FOR BUSINESS

The final part of the first-year program prepares the student for the social aspects of the business world. Building relationships is key in commerce. Students will learn how to make polite requests, engage in basic small talk, and handle travel situations, paving the way for the more advanced negotiations they will study in their second year.

Chapter 10: Expressing Ability, Permission, and Obligation

10.1. The Modal Verb « Can » (Ability)

Using « can » and « cannot/can’t » to describe professional skills (e.g., « I can use Excel, » « She can speak English »).

10.2. Asking for Permission

Using « Can I… » or « May I… » to politely ask if it is allowed to do something in the office or during a meeting.

10.3. Expressing Obligation (Must and Have to)

Understanding how to talk about company rules, deadlines, and strict requirements using « must » and « have to ».

10.4. Making Polite Offers

Offering help to a colleague or a client using phrases like « Can I help you? » or « Would you like some coffee? ».

Chapter 11: Small Talk and Business Travel

11.1. The Importance of Small Talk

Learning safe topics for light conversation before a meeting, such as the weather, the journey, and the city.

11.2. Travel and Transportation Vocabulary

Words related to business trips: airport, train station, ticket, luggage, hotel reservation.

11.3. Ordering Food and Drinks

Basic phrases for taking a client to a restaurant or a café: reading a menu, ordering politely, and asking for the bill.

11.4. Expressing Preferences

Learning how to state what one likes or dislikes (e.g., « I prefer to travel by plane, » « I like working in a team ») to build personal connections with partners.