Practical English 2510-f1ENG3S-PE

The course consists of the following components:

USE OF ENGLISH:
The course aims to enhance students’ proficiency in English by improving grammatical accuracy, broadening lexical range, and developing the ability to use language appropriately in the academic context. To achieve these aims, students revise complex grammatical structures (such as verb complementation, conditionals, unreal past, reported speech, and inversion) and practise error correction to consolidate accuracy. They also expand their lexical repertoire through work on less common vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, and develop active reading skills to comprehend and summarise (academic) texts effectively. Furthermore, students complete exercises commonly found in CAE tests (Reading Comprehension and Use of English sections) to strengthen their reading skills and reinforce accurate and context-appropriate language use.

Content distribution
-Revision (verb complementation, conditionals, unreal past, reported speech, inversion)
-Practice for CAE tests (use of English and reading comprehension sections)
-Practice for analysing and summarizing academic texts
-Development of lexical range through work on less common vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
-Development of grammatical accuracy through error correction exercises

SPEAKING AND LISTENING
During class, students will practice formal speaking skills through accuracy-based exercises (grammatical, lexical and communicative) and fluency-based exercises in order to achieve the C1 level, expand abstract vocabulary, and activate it in a discussion, where the emphasis will be on the ability to specify and defend one's own opinions in a group discussion as well as to present and cogently explain the ideas of one’s BA thesis. Advanced authentic materials will represent a variety of current topics and cover key areas of academic and professional practice.

Content distribution:
- CAE Tests – listening comprehension
- academic register practice – mock BA defence exams
- the monocultural and the transcultural
- the language of drawing conclusions and offering recommendation
- science and the public, working with an academic supervisor
- seminar skills/lecture skills practice

Total student workload

Contact hours with the teacher: - participation in classes (use of English,speaking and listening): 60 hours Self-study hours: - revision, preparation for tests, completing homework and classroom assignments - 40 hours Altogether: 100 hours (4 ECTS).

Learning outcomes - knowledge

USE OF ENGLISH The student W1: knows the principles of English grammar as well as less common vocabulary and idiomatic expressions at the C1 level with particular emphasis on their appropriate use in the academic context (K_W02) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student W3: knows the English grammar and lexis well enough to understand and create various types of spoken academic texts at the C1 level (K_W02)

Learning outcomes - skills

USE OF ENGLISH The student U1: is able to read and comprehend texts at the C1 level within the academic context (K_U02) U2: is able to communicate effectively in English at the C1 level, demonstrating a high degree of grammatical accuracy and a wide range of vocabulary (K_U17) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student U6: can communicate at the C1 level, using a variety of communication techniques to discuss selected academic issues (K_U05) U7: has the ability to create oral presentations in English at the C1 level using a variety of sources and to offer coherent, register-appropriate responses to such presentations, specifically with respect to presentations relating to BA theses. (K_U15) U8: has spoken academic English skills matching C1 level descriptions (K_U17) U9: understands longer discourse in academic contexts and most English language users operating at the C1 level (including foreign students and scholars) (K_U18

Learning outcomes - social competencies

USE OF ENGLISH The student K1: is aware of his/her proficiency in English grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension, and recognizes the importance of continuous self-improvement (K_K01) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student K4: is aware of the level of their knowledge and speaking and listening language skills and understands the need for continuous practice (K_K01)

Teaching methods

USE OF ENGLISH Expository teaching methods: description, discussion Exploratory teaching methods: practical SPEAKING AND LISTENING Expository teaching methods: storytelling, drama or simulation Exploratory teaching methods: class, brainstorming or speech

Prerequisites

The successful completion of the Practical English course in the winter semester.

Course coordinators

Daniel Karczynski

Assessment criteria

USE OF ENGLISH
Observation of participation, preparation and homework as well as Moodle assignment completion documented in an activity log (U1, U2, K1)
Mid-semester test and final test (W1, U1, U2, K1)

SPEAKING AND LISTENING:
Continuous assessment of student activity in group work (U6, U8, K4)
Assessed prepared and improvised presentations (U7, U8, K4, U10)
Mid-semester tests (including vocabulary and listening comprehension) and final Mock BA Defence (W3, U9, K4)

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 or assignment in every Practical English module is administered to determine the extent to which students have met the assumed learning outcomes.

The final test or assignment has to be passed for the successful completion of the course. Students who have failed a test or assignment are allowed one retake, which in the case of the final test is administered in the retake examination session.

The students are evaluated in accordance with university regulations, and they must attend all course meetings. 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.

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 a result sufficient to make up for the points lost due to unexcused absences.
Instructors are authorized to refuse credit when the student’s absenteeism rate is around 50%.

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 forms of remote teaching. 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-f1ENG3S-PE in USOSweb