BiZ/PP3

Developing enterprising skills

Vocabulary A

Notatka powinna być w zeszycie

Enterprising people and key competences

Enterprising people like to work with people to influence, persuade, and lead them and to achieve
organizational or financial goals. They tend to be assertive, ambitious, and energetic.

The word “competence” means a mix of knowledge, abilities and attitudes: you are “competent” if
you are able to act well in a certain situation.

To be competent does not mean solely to know something or to have some notions about some top-
ics, but also to put into practice the knowledge in a given context and situation.

The European Union has identified 8 Key Competences that enable every citizen to adapt to changes
of society. They are important for the personal fulfillment and development, for the working life, for
studying and learning new things.

8 Key Competences
1. Communication in mother tongue

2. Communication in foreign language

3. Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology

4. Digital competence

5. Learning to learn

6. Social and civic competence

7. Sense of initiative and entrepreneurship

8. Cultural awareness and expression.

1. COMMUNICATION IN THE MOTHER TONGUE, which is the ability to express and interpret con-
cepts, thoughts, feelings, facts and opinions in both oral and written form (listening, speaking, read-
ing and writing) in the mother tongue and to interact linguistically in an appropriate and creative way
in a full range of social and cultural contexts.

2. COMMUNICATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES, which involves, in addition to the main skill dimen-
sions of communication in the mother tongue, mediation and intercultural understanding. The level
of proficiency depends on several factors and the capacity for listening, speaking, reading and writ-
ing.

3. MATHEMATICAL COMPETENCE AND BASIC COMPETENCES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Math-

ematical competence is the ability to develop and apply mathematical thinking in order to solve a
range of problems in everyday situations, with the emphasis being placed on process, activity and
knowledge. Basic competences in science and technology refer to the mastery, use and application of
knowledge and methodologies that explain the natural world. These involve an understanding of the
changes caused by human activity and the responsibility of each individual as a citizen.

4. DIGITAL COMPETENCE involves the confident and critical use of information society technology
(IST) and thus basic skills in information and communication technology (ICT).

5. LEARNING TO LEARN is related to learning, the ability to pursue and organise one’s own learning,
either individually or in groups, in accordance with one’s own needs, and awareness of methods and
opportunities.

6. SOCIAL AND CIVIC COMPETENCES. Social competence refers to personal, interpersonal and inter-
cultural competence and all forms of behaviour that equip individuals to participate in an effective
and constructive way in social and working life. It is linked to personal and social well–being. An un-
derstanding of codes of conduct and customs in the different environments in which individuals op-
erate is essential. Civic competence, and particularly knowledge of social and political concepts and
structures (democracy, justice, equality, citizenship and civil rights), equips individuals to engage in
active and democratic participation.

7. SENSE OF INITIATIVE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP is the ability to turn ideas into action. It involves
creativity, innovation and risk–taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to
achieve objectives. The individual is aware of the context of his/her work and is able to seize oppor-
tunities that arise. It is the foundation for acquiring more specific skills and knowledge needed by
those establishing or contributing to social or commercial activity. This should include awareness of
ethical values and promote good governance.

8. CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EXPRESSION, which involves appreciation of the importance of the
creative expression of ideas, experiences and emotions in a range of media (music, performing arts,
literature and the visual arts).
Key definitions
Key competences – Aa combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Key competences – They are those which you need for personal development, employability, social
inclusion and active citizenship

Economic competence – It is the ability to identify, expand, and exploit the business opportunities.

Economic competence – One of 8 Key Competences. They constitute an enterprising person. They
comprise knowledge, skills, attitudes. Enterprising skills.

Skill – The ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance

Skill – Dexterity or coordination especially in the execution of learned physical tasks.

Skill – A learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability

Knowledge – Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoret-
ical or practical understanding of a subject.

Knowledge – Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation.

Attitude – A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.

Attitude – A feeling or opinion about something or someone, or a way of behaving that is caused by
this.

Enterprising skills
ENTERPRISING COMPETENCES

KNOWLEGE SKILLS ATTITUDES

economics decision making initiative

finance overcoming difficulties perseverance in pursuing goals
project management individual work management taking responsibility for own actions
and decisions
psychology team work management taking responsibility for others ac-
tions and decisions
sociology interpersonal communication assertiveness
ethics creative and strategic thinking empathy
social responsibility environment analysis and chance self–agency
spotting
personal strengths and weak- time management ethic attitude
nesses
problem solving readiness to learn
motivating self–assurance
Strategic thinking – It is a mental or thinking process applied by an individual in the context of
achieving a goal or set of goals.

Strategic thinking – It is basically the practice of selecting a long–term goal and formulating an action
plan toward reaching that goal.

Proactivity = proactive behaviour

Proactivity – Taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens.

Proactive behaviour – It refers to self–initiated behaviour that endeavours to solve a problem before
it has occurred.

Proactive behaviour – It involves acting in advance of a future situation, rather than reacting. It re-
fers to taking control of a situation and making early changes, rather than adjusting to a situation or
waiting for something to happen.
Things to consider:
1. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you an enterprising person ?
Make a chart and present your characteristics.

My enterprising qualities My qualities that are not

enterprising

2. What profession would you like to do in in the future?

What enterprising competences does this profession require?

Do you possess all enterprising competences in terms of knowledge, skills and attitude this profes-
sion requires?