Practical English 2510-f1ENG3W-PE

The course consists of the following components:

USE OF ENGLISH:
The course consists of practical exercises related to such skills as reading, use of grammar and use of vocabulary. The materials to be covered during the course include a selection of C1 tests, which combine thorough development of advanced level language skills and systematic training in exam techniques used in Cambridge English Qualifications, such as C1 Advanced so as to build real-life English skills required for academic study.
Content distribution
- revision regarding tenses and time clauses, passive voice, adverbial clauses, nouns and articles
- CAE Tests for the 2008 exam specifications – use of English, reading comprehension
- vocabulary building and expanding reading comprehension
- integrated skills: ‘Science and Research’
- academic register practice: proofreading and error correction

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. Advanced authentic (intellectually stimulating) texts used will represent a variety of current topics and cover key areas of academic and professional practice.
Content distribution:
- CAE Tests – listening comprehension
- media literacy
- intellectual history: presenting arguments and theories
- academic orientation and critical thinking
- innovation and invention: asking for and providing clarification
- lecture skills: prescriptivism and descriptivism in language education
- sociological perspectives: the language of tendencies and trends

Total student workload

Contact hours with the teacher: - participation in classes and online learning (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 English lexis and grammar at C1 level as regards the class material, with a focus on academic register (K_W02) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student W2: knows the English grammar and lexis well enough to understand and create various types of spoken academic texts at C1 level (K_W02)

Learning outcomes - skills

USE OF ENGLISH The student U1: is able to read and comprehend texts at C1 level appearing in selected academic contexts (K_U02) U2: has the English academic language skills as described by C1 level of CEFR in respect of the topics covered in the winter semester course (K_U17) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student U3: can work in a team by assuming the roles of a leader, prompter or editor/monitor (K_U08) U4: has the ability to create oral presentations in English at C1 level using a variety of sources (K_U15) U5: has spoken academic English skills matching C1 level descriptions (K_U17) U6: understands longer discourse in academic contexts and most English language users operating at C1 level (including foreign students and scholars) (K_U18)

Learning outcomes - social competencies

USE OF ENGLISH The student K1: is aware of the level of their knowledge of English lexis and grammar as well as reading comprehension skills and understands the need for continuous practice (K_K01) SPEAKING AND LISTENING The student K2: 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, tutorial On-line teaching methods on the course Moodle site: asynchronous content delivery, cooperation-based, evaluative SPEAKING AND LISTENING Expository teaching methods: storytelling, description, discussion, simulation Exploratory teaching methods: brainstorming, speech

Prerequisites

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

Course coordinators

Daniel Karczynski

Assessment criteria

Assessment methods:
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 end-of-semester test (W1, U1, U2)

SPEAKING AND LISTENING:
Continuous assessment of student activity in group work (U3, U5, K2)
Assessed prepared and improvised presentations (U4, U5, K2)
Mid-semester tests (including vocabulary and listening comprehension) and end-of-semester oral test (W2, U6)

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.
The final test has to be passed for the successful completion of the course. Students who have failed a test 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-f1ENG3W-PE in USOSweb