I-Answer these questions in your own words as far as possible. 1-How has the demand for international assignees evolved over the years? First of all, having an assignment abroad is a chance that very few candidates can afford. The evolution of the demand for international posting mainly depends on the nature of the mission. After a period of restriction due to the very high recruitment standards, there is an increasing demand for foreign assignment because of economic expansion or because there is an important requirement for the teaching of English as a Second language or for military reasons

2-What is the position of the companies mentioned regarding their overseas posting policy? The Companies mentioned in the text (Barclays, UBS, KPMG) have naturally been unwilling to send young and inexperienced staff abroad (only 2%) until they are fully trained and their foreign posting proves necessary. Now, they have to find a balance between the need to send people abroad because of their international growth and leading a very restrictive policy which consists in recruiting the most talented applicants through an international application system. In addition to this, the applicants have to show very strong skills in foreign languages and cultural awareness.

3-What types of training are mentioned in the text? Over the last ten years, many companies like Barclays, have developed various foreign posting programmes. These international programmes are meant to prepare the applicants to adapt to different cultures and different markets, to acquire enough language skills, to be able to understand the challenges of working in an emerging market and to deal with different financial, legal and regulatory systems. Moreover, these trainings, which last two or three years, are individual and also very challenging since the candidates have to find a balance between their time abroad and the home-based training and development requirements.

4-How important are they? These trainings, whose number has steadily increased, are first considered as a long-term investment and are taken very seriously. Second, they are only destined to successful graduates who are selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate international interests and outlook - language skills or having already lived or worked abroad. These new applicants will play a preponderant role in future cohorts. What‟s more, in a competitive global economy, most companies aspire to match the profiles of their senior executives partners who have experience in many countries.

II- TRUE or FALSE, justify your choice by quoting from the text. 1-Employers are less selective about global postings because the number of applicants has decreased. F “Mr Dugdale warns that employers are much more selective about overseas postings” (L. 65-66) 2-Teachers of English as a foreign language are the least solicited. F “Teachers (of EFL)…. are among the groups with the best chance of having to pack their passport en route to a first job” (L. 18-20)

3-Having good cultural awareness is enough to begin an international career. F “We‟d expect them to have an appreciation of different cultures and different markets, to understand the challenges of working in an emerging market and of dealing with different financial, legal and regulatory systems” (L.54-55) “language skills and cultural awareness are essential…”

4-It’s easier for accountants and consultants to work abroad. T “Accountancy and consultancy are professions in which it is common to leave your original company after qualifying, possibly returning later in life”. (L.47-48)

III-Language proficiency 1-Fill in the gaps with the appropriate words to complete this cover letter for a job application Dear Sirs Position of Marketing Assistant I am writing to APPLY for the position of marketing assistant, which is PUBLISHED in the magazine „New Marketing‟ this month. I am enclosing my RESUME which gives details of my qualifications and previous work EXPERIENCE As you can see, I am currently employed in the marketing department at Carwells Ltd, where I am RESPONSIBLE for collecting and analysing market research data. However, this is only a TEMPORARY post which terminates at the end of December and I am therefore looking for a permanent post to start from January. I am able to attend an INTERVIEW at any time. I hope that you will ACCEPT/ CONSIDER my application for the post and look FORWARD TO HEARING from you. Yours truly, Brian Drake

2- Vocabulary related to brands: give a brief definition of these terms Product lifecycle: The product lifecycle covers the conception, production, lunch, maturity and decline

Brand placement: It‟s when a company places an ad in a film, a show or an event.

Brand stretching It‟s when a company decides to extend its original brand to unrelated market. Yamaha, which is a motorbikes manufacturer, moved into branded hi-fi equipment, pianos and sports equipment.

Brand awareness: Corresponds to how much the customers know about the brand.

Endorsement: It corresponds to the hiring of a celebrity to advertise a product.

YOUR EMAIL To: George Johnstone Subject: Export manager position appointment Dear George, I am writing to tell you that we would like to offer you the job of export manager in Mexico. As you probably already know, our sales in Mexico are, for instance, very small, but we expect a big increase in the next two years because we have developed a new market segment entirely dedicated to the Mexican customers with enough outlets and an effective after-sales service. This is why we need someone with enough abilities to carry on this mission. We really think you are the right assignee since you have greatly contributed to the rapid growth or our subsidiaries in the US and Canada thanks to your aptitude to establish good relations with the customers and your excellent crisis-solving skills. I have also noted that you are an excellent salesman and that your different foreign postings have allowed you to be flexible, open-minded and an efficient solution-oriented manager. Still we believe that you will have to go through a two-month cross-cultural training which will cover Spanish language proficiency, an insight into the Mexican financial, legal and regulatory systems as well as cultural awareness. We have no doubt that you will adapt to your new business environment like no other and create an added value to the company through your North American business networks and customer database. Could you please let me know about your decision by return of mail? Sincerely Brian Keens