Practical English 2510-f1ENG2W-PE

The course consists of the following components:

Use of English:
The course familiarizes students with selected issues related to practical English grammar and vocabulary to enable them to produce and comprehend spoken and written language at B2+ level with a focus on the academic register.
Content distribution (which may be subject to modifications depending on students’ expressed needs or ongoing diagnosis conducted in all components of the Practical English course):
- Revision regarding modal verbs, tenses and time clauses
- Verb complementation
- Relative clauses
- Participle clauses
- Nominal clauses
- Adjectives and adverbs
- Collocations, idiomatic expressions, and words (non-)characteristic of the academic register

Reading and Writing
The course is designed so as to provide the foundation for effective critical reading and writing in selected academic content areas. Upon successful completion of the course, students will master reading and writing skills as well as key vocabulary required to decode written academic texts and complete written assignments at B2+ level, using a more formal register and writing citations for various types of source material.
Content distribution:
- Building academic vocabulary and dictionary activities
- Register in language: formal vs. informal (continued)
- Introduction to referencing and formatting the text in accordance with the NCU BA Stylesheet; incorporating citation and in-text references
- Reading textbooks and other academic content
- Practice exercises for summary and paraphrase; writing effective paragraphs (continued)
- Writing and evaluating a thesis statement
- Generating supporting details for a specific purpose and organizational pattern
- Practice exercises for punctuation, cohesion and coherence
- Expressing comparison and contrast (recognizing similarities and differences)
- Introduction to hedging language
- Activities for integrated reading and writing
- Editing for correct grammar, spelling, and use of mechanics

Speaking and Listening
During the course the students will begin to develop their skills regarding speaking formally in the academic register with regard to accuracy and fluency at B2+ level. They will develop their abstract vocabulary and their ability to activate such vocabulary during discussions with emphasis on the ability to specify, defend and modify their own opinions in discussion. In addition, the students will develop their skills with regard to academic discourse. The advanced (intellectually stimulating) materials will represent varied society- and academia-related themes.
Content distribution:
- Understanding introductions to a lecture/taking part in a seminar discussion/exchanging opinions
- Recognizing key factual information, and definitions/ presenting visual information
- Introducing and analysing supporting evidence/understanding assumptions in questions
- Recognizing and practising signposting language (introducing, transitioning and sequencing)/giving a presentation
- Spoken punctuation/responding to suggestions
- Recognizing referencing language/giving a poster presentation

Total student workload

Contact hours with the teacher: - participation in classes (use of English, reading and writing, speaking and listening) – 90 hours Self-study hours: - preparation for tests, completing homework and classroom or online assignments - 60 hours Altogether: 150 hours (6 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

Use of English The student W1: knows grammar rules related to verb complementation, selected types of subordinate clauses, and adjectives and adverbs at B2+ level (K_W02)  W2: knows English vocabulary and rules governing its use allowing for the production and comprehension of academic English at B2+ level (K_W02) Reading and Writing The student W3: has the practical knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and spelling as well as selected principles of referencing sources, making it possible to understand and create formally and linguistically accurate multi-paragraph academic texts 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 academic register at B2+ level (K_W02)

Learning outcomes - skills

Use of English The student U1: is able to use grammatical structures following the rules pertaining to verb complementation, selected types of subordinate clauses and adjectives and adverbs as well as apply vocabulary in accordance with the requirements of academic register at B2+ level (K_U17)  U2: is able to work in a team taking on various roles in order to complete assigned tasks concerning grammatical structures and formal and academic lexis at B2+ level (K_U08)  Reading and Writing The student U3: has the ability to read and comprehend texts from English-language cultural area at B2+ level (K_U02) U4: understands differences between a formal and informal register and can use impersonal formal English writing texts at B2+ level (K_U04) U5: can cite other sources either quoting or paraphrasing the original text to prevent plagiarism, referencing and formatting the text in accordance with the NCU BA Stylesheet (K_U16) U6: has language skills which allow them to read and write academic texts at B2+ level (K_U17) Speaking and Listening The student: U7: understands 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 claims (K_U15) U9: has the English academic language skills as described by B2+ level of CEFR (K_U17)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

Use of English The student K1: is aware of the level of their language skills and their knowledge in respect of grammar and vocabulary and understands the need for continuous practice (K_K01) Reading and Writing The student K2: is aware of the level of their knowledge and reading and writing skills 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 On-line teaching methods adopted on the course Moodle site: asynchronous content delivery, evaluative Reading and Writing Expository teaching methods: description, discussion Exploratory teaching methods: brainstorming, individual consultations, problem-solving, practical On-line teaching methods adopted on the course Moodle site: asynchronous content delivery methods, evaluative Speaking and Listening Expository teaching methods: informative lecture, discussion Exploratory teaching methods: brainstorming, problem solving, presentation On-line teaching methods adopted on the course Moodle site: asynchronous content delivery methods, evaluative

Prerequisites

A passing grade in the Practical English course in the first year.

Course coordinators

Term 2025/26Z:

Term 2022/23Z:

Term 2023/24Z:

Term 2024/25Z:

Assessment criteria

Assessment methods:
Use of English:
Observation of participation, preparation and homework as well as Moodle assignment completion documented in an activity log (U2, K1)
Mid-semester test and end-of-semester test (W1, W2, U1)

Reading and Writing:
Observation of participation, preparation and homework as well as Moodle assignment completion, documented in an activity log (U3, U5, U6, K2)
Mid-semester reading and writing assignments (W3, U3, U4, U5)
Integrated reading and writing end-of-semester test (W3, U3, U4, U5, U6)

Speaking and Listening
Continuous assessment of student activity in classwork and Moodle work (W4, U7, U9, K3)
Assessed prepared and improvised presentations (U7, U8)
Mid-semester tests and end-of-semester oral test (W4, U7, U8, U9)

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 in the first week after the lesson missed. The final grade percentage will be reduced for every unexcused absence or assignment that a student has failed to complete.

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.
NOTE: all the above principles apply to all kinds of classes: traditional classroom and all the forms of remote teaching situations. In case of online teaching, the tests may likewise be administered remotely in a form facilitating the verification of the achievement of learning outcomes.

Practical placement

N/A

Additional information

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

Description of 2510-f1ENG2W-PE in USOSweb