English for Public Administration Students

A knowledge of the American and English public administration systems is important for public adminstration students in Romania. The handbook provides an introduction to the American and English public administration systems and the means to develop the language and analytical skills which form an essential part of the public administration study. Therefore, the double purpose of this handbook is: 1.to provide factual knowledge and, 2.to develop the necessary language and analytical skills.The handbook specifically addresses the needs of public administration students.

Information is given on advanced grammatical areas which arise from texts and on vocabulary (word formation and use of legal vocabulary). Exercises concentrate on reading, writing and study skills with some work on oral functions. Reading skills exercises focus on scanning, skimming, reading for detail and recognising main arguments. Writing exercises include the writing of paragraphs and short essays with guidance. Study skills exercises cover dictionary use, bibliographical references. Vocabulary exercises deal with inferencing skills, word formation, prepositons and collocations. In writing this handbook I took into account the requirements laid down in the Analytical Program for the third year-Public Administraion students in our Law and Public Administration School.

The handbook comprises seven units each dealing with an individual subject. The broad subject-matter of each unit is broken down into three parts to provide a structured approach to the subject.

The factual content, in part I, is presented through extracts from authentic texts, in the Reading Section, which is followed by comprehension questions and exercises included in the Practice Section.  Part I introduces some general features of the American and English public administration systems  which will provide a background to the following topics. The public administration system is then set within the constitutional framework with an examination of the important constitutional concepts and with particular reference to the constitutional position of the judiciary in the U.S. and U.K., also making references to the Romanian Constitution.

Part II is concerned with writing. “Reading  makes a  full man; Conference a ready man;Writing an exact man!”(Francis Bacon) Writing is a form of communication, just as much as  speaking. This part provides thorough coverage of the  various kinds of writing and speaking needed by students at intermediate level. Each unit, in this part,  has a variety of exercises to guide students in producing different types of written English including narratives, report writing, essays and formal and informal letters. Each unit gives students the opportunity to write full-length compositions using structures and skills which they have been practising.

Part III deals with Tests. They are the most accurate means of measuring the general standard of English, which forms the basis for specific skills such as composition writing, comprehension, etc., and also the legal knowledge.

I hope  this handbook will improve students’ knowledge, speaking and writing  skills in the area of public administration layout, paragraphs, register and style.