Practical English 2510-f1ENG1W-PE

The components of integrated Practical English (Use of English, Speaking and listening, and Reading and writing) are treated as one subject. Whenever possible, each component supports, continues and builds on the themes and linguistic content of the other constituents. The successful completion of all three is obligatory in order to receive a composite positive grade, which is calculated on the basis of the mean from the constituent components.

Use of English
During the course we will discuss and practice the selected problems of the practical grammar and vocabulary of the English language at B2 level.
The list of topics may be slightly altered depending on the results of initial and ongoing diagnosis.
Content distribution
- Verbs (regular and irregular) and tenses, (followed up with past tense texts in Listening and Speaking and Reading and Writing)
- Aspects of nouns: article use, countable/uncountable nouns, plurals
- Determiners
- introduction to word formation (followed up with the relevant analyses of texts in Listening and Speaking and Reading and Writing)
- selected collocations, idiomatic expressions and other vocabulary items associated with e.g. time, abstract and proper nouns etc., integrated with grammatical content
- Revision
The material includes FCE-type tasks for vocabulary and grammar (gap-filling, multiple-choice cloze, paraphrasing, and introduction to word formation) for an objective assessment of progress.

Speaking and listening
The aim of the course is to develop students' aural-oral skills through accuracy-focused speaking exercises (the accuracy of grammar, vocabulary and communication) and fluency in order to establish students' average language proficiency level at B2.
The objective will be achieved through various types of tasks and texts spoken in different registers and with different accents. Intensive listening will also focus on vocabulary and interesting structures, and through oral reproduction (reporting on the content, using the principle of information gap activities), students will activate them in a discussion (the post-listening stage). B2+ level texts used will represent diverse issues relating to general topics transitioning towards academic content. Through regular test practice, students will acquire a number of listening comprehension and speaking strategies used in popular international English language tests, such as FCE.

Content distribution
- Necessities; identifying aims, hedging; using props in a presentation
- Who Am I? Think again; constructing an argument
- Solutions; using the subjunctive
- Making peace is a marathon; dealing with disagreement and reaching a
consensus; distinguishing between fact and opinion; being personal and
relatable in a presentation
- Working together; the language of cause and effect
- I am not your inspiration, thank you very much; elision,
understanding examples; repeating key ideas in a presentation
- Challenges and Obstacles; approximating and using emotive language
- Taking Imagination Seriously; inferring meaning from context,
speculating, using visuals in a presentation
-Stress and Relaxation; intensifiers and the paradox of choice
- Protecting Twitter users; analogies, pace and emphasis
- Knowledge; structuring and signposting a short presentation
- Organisation; perspective and stance; expressing and responding to a
stance in a discussion

Reading and Writing

The course aims to provide the foundation for effective critical reading and writing. During the course, students develop language skills to produce and comprehend English texts from selected academic content areas at B2 level.
Content distribution (winter semester):
- formal and informal register
- main ideas and supporting arguments in texts
- critical thinking skills
- paragraph structure: topic sentence, supporting sentences, concluding sentence
- basic principles of citing and referencing
- basic principles of punctuation
- (academic) vocabulary development
- cohesive devices

Total student workload

Contact hours with the teacher: - participation in classes (Reading and Writing, Speaking and Listening, Use of English)- 120 hrs Self-study hours: - home assignments, preparation for tests and the final tests - 80 hrs Altogether: 8 ECTS points

Learning outcomes - knowledge

Use of English The student W1: can define and apply selected English grammar rules pertaining to tenses and nouns at B2 level. (K_W02) W2: has the practical knowledge of selected vocabulary items, such as verbs and nouns at B2 level. (K_W02) Reading and Writing The student W3: has the practical knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and spelling, making it possible to understand and create formally and linguistically accurate formal texts on selected topics at B2 level (K_W02) Speaking and listening The student W4: has the practical knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and spelling, making it possible to comprehend and create accurate and fluent oral texts in formal register at B2 level (K_W02)

Learning outcomes - skills

Use of English U1: The student can use accurate grammar of the English language and appropriate lexis when it comes to articles, nouns, verbs and tenses applying English language skills matching the description of B2 level. (K_U17) U2: can work with a group, negotiating solutions to usage problems relating to articles, nouns, verbs, and tenses in English. (K_U08) Reading and Writing The student U3: is able to comprehend and produce English formal texts at B2 level (K_U02, K_U17) U4: is able to recognize formal and informal English (K_U4) U5: is able to prevent plagiarism in his/her texts (K_U16) U6: is able to critically evaluate English formal texts, taking on different roles in a team (K_U08) Speaking and listening The student U7: understands British and American English and differences between a formal and informal register and can use impersonal formal English in speech at B2 level (K_U4) U8 : has the ability to make effective oral presentations in English and support and defend one’s own arguments (K_U15) U9 : has the English formal language skills as described by B2 level of CEFR (K_U17) U10: can work with a group, negotiating solutions to discussion oriented tasks and problems (K_U08) U11: Can understand longer academic commentary and lecture-oriented content in English (K_U18)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Use of English The student: K 1: is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills in English grammar and lexis and understands the need for continuous practice and development. (K_K01) Reading and Writing The student K2: is aware of the level of their knowledge and skills in reading and writing and understands the need for continuous practice (K_K01) Speaking and listening The student K3: is aware of the level of their knowledge and speaking and listening skills and understands the need for continuous practice (K_K01)

Teaching methods

Use of English Expository teaching methods: description, participatory lecture Exploratory teaching methods: practical, brainstorming, problem-solving Reading and Writing Expository teaching methods: description, discussion Exploratory teaching methods: brainstorming, individual consultations, problem-solving, practical Speaking and Listening Expository teaching methods: informative lecture and discussion Exploratory teaching methods: brainstorming, problem solving, presentation Additionally, depending on course component specificity, all the classes may also utilize a range of other TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) techniques, such as dictations and reading aloud, paraphrasing of terms and sentences, oral and written description, storytelling, mini-lecture, student project preparation, language lab work, standardised test taking, etc.

Observation/demonstration teaching methods

- drama
- staging

Expository teaching methods

- participatory lecture
- description

Exploratory teaching methods

- practical
- project work
- brainstorming

Online teaching methods

- integrative methods
- methods developing reflexive thinking
- exchange and discussion methods
- content-presentation-oriented methods
- cooperation-based methods

Type of course

compulsory course

Prerequisites

Entry language skills above B1 + (CEFR), as proven by the Matura exam or its equivalent.

Course coordinators

Term 2025/26Z:

Term 2022/23Z:

Term 2023/24Z:

Term 2024/25Z:

Assessment criteria

All the components will use the system of mid-semester and semester-final FCE-adjusted tests to prove the attainment of the consistent B2 level in all the areas.

Moodle platform will be the basic repository of class materials and channel through which homework will be submitted.

Use of English
Observation of participation, preparation and Moodle assignments or other homework completion, documented in an activity log (U1, U2, K1)
Mid-semester test and end-of-semester test (W1, W2, U1)

Reading and Writing (winter semester):
Observation of participation, preparation, and homework completion documented in an activity log (W3, U4, K2)
Mid-semester test (W3, U3, U6)
Final test (W3, U3, U5)

Speaking and listening (winter and summer semester):
Active participation in class and preparation for it (K3, U10, W4)
Presentations (spontaneous and rehearsed) (W4, U7, U8)
Vocabulary tests (W4)
Mid-term listening test (U11)
Final oral test at the end of the semester (U7, U9, W4)

Assessment criteria:
Practical English course grades will be given in reference to the following criteria:
fail – 0 – 59%
satisfactory - 60 – 69%
satisfactory plus - 70 – 75%
good - 76 – 85%
good plus - 86 – 90%
very good - 91 – 100%
The final grade in the course is assigned to the average of the three components’ percentages.
The final test in every Practical English module is administered to determine the extent to which students have met the assumed learning outcomes. This test has to be passed for the successful completion of the course. Students who have failed a test are allowed one retake, which in case of the final test is administered in the retake examination session.
The students are evaluated in accordance with the university regulations, and they must attend all course meetings in a classroom or a distance learning platform. Informed participation in class discussions – based on completion of the assigned reading and supportive collaboration with classmates – is also required. Each class absence has to be excused immediately after returning to class. The final grade percentage will be reduced for every unexcused absence from physical or virtual class or assignment that a student has failed to complete (homework or asynchronous learning).
A grade average of at least 60% must be achieved to pass each Practical English module, so the students who have passed the final test but failed to obtain the required cumulative grade point average have to retake the final test and achieve the result sufficient to make up for the points lost due to unexcused absences or failing course assignments.
Instructors are authorized to refuse credit when the student’s absenteeism rate is around 50% even if the absences have had valid reasons.
Timely completion of assigned tasks is obligatory. In the case of assignments submitted after the deadline or re-submitted, the grade is lowered.
Assignments created with the use of AI (generated or edited) will receive a failing grade.

NOTE: all the above principles apply to all kinds of classes: traditional classroom and all the forms of remote teaching situations.

Practical placement

not applicable

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2510-f1ENG1W-PE in USOSweb