Practical knowledge of the English language 3222-30PA5C-NZ
The course is intended for students continuing their English language education at the B1+/B2 level according to the CEFR. The aim of the course is to develop language competences enabling effective communication in everyday, academic, and professional contexts and to achieve B2-level proficiency according to the CEFR.
During the course, students develop their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, while systematically expanding their vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures characteristic of the B2 level. The teaching process is based on the gradual development of students’ linguistic independence — from understanding and producing simpler statements to formulating clear, detailed, and coherent spoken and written responses on both concrete and abstract topics.
Students develop the ability to understand the main ideas of complex texts, participate in discussions, including those involving specialist language related to professional topics, and communicate fluently and spontaneously with native speakers. The course also prepares students to express opinions, justify their views, and present arguments concerning various issues and solutions discussed during classes.
Student workload:
contact hours (in-class instruction) – 30 hours
preparation for classes – 15 hours
preparation for the exam/course assessment – 15 hours
Total: 60 hours – 2 ECTS credits
|
Term 2024Z:
If it is not possible to conduct classes on university premises, classes shall be held with the aid of distance learning tools, most likely Google Meet and others recommended by the University of Warsaw. |
Term 2025Z:
Student workload (2ECTS): If it is not possible to conduct classes on university premises, classes shall be held with the aid of distance learning tools, most likely Google Meet and others recommended by the University of Warsaw. |
Term 2026Z:
The course is intended for students continuing their English language education at the B1+/B2 level according to the CEFR. The aim of the course is to develop language competences enabling effective communication in everyday, academic, and professional contexts and to achieve B2-level proficiency according to the CEFR. During the course, students develop their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, while systematically expanding their vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures characteristic of the B2 level. The teaching process is based on the gradual development of students’ linguistic independence — from understanding and producing simpler statements to formulating clear, detailed, and coherent spoken and written responses on both concrete and abstract topics. Students develop the ability to understand the main ideas of complex texts, participate in discussions, including those involving specialist language related to professional topics, and communicate fluently and spontaneously with native speakers. The course also prepares students to express opinions, justify their views, and present arguments concerning various issues and solutions discussed during classes. Student workload: Total: 60 hours – 2 ECTS credits |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
A student knows and understands English in both writing and speaking according to the requirements determined for B2+ level of CEFR (K1_W10)
A student can communicate in English both writing and speaking according to the requirements determined for B2+ level of CEFR (K1_U10)
A student is ready to assess in a critical way
the knowledge amassed and information received (K1_K01)
Assessment criteria
The course is completed with a graded assessment in the form of a final written test.
Conditions for completing the course and being admitted to the final assessment:
regular preparation for classes,
passing progress tests, translation tasks, and written assignments,
preparation of individual and group presentations,
attendance in accordance with the University of Warsaw Study Regulations.
Components of the final grade:
progress tests, translation tasks, and written assignments – 25%,
individual and group presentations – 25%,
final assessment – 50%.
Written assessment – grading scale:
99%–100% – 5! (excellent with distinction),
96%–98% – 5 (very good),
87%–95% – 4+ (good plus),
78%–86% – 4 (good),
69%–77% – 3+ (satisfactory plus),
60%–68% – 3 (satisfactory).
Assessment criteria for the final PNJA test
The final test includes tasks assessing grammatical and lexical competence, listening and reading comprehension, integrated skills tasks, and a short written assignment.
Assessment criteria:
a/ accuracy in the use of grammatical and lexical structures,
b/ listening and reading comprehension,
c/ ability to integrate language skills,
d/ relevance of the written assignment to the topic and required form,
e/ coherence and linguistic accuracy of the written assignment.
Grade 5! / 5 (very good / excellent)
The student demonstrates a very good command of the grammatical and lexical material covered during the course. The student accurately understands listening and reading texts, efficiently completes integrated skills tasks, and produces a coherent, accurate, and topic-related written assignment. Only occasional minor errors may occur, which do not affect communication.
Grade 4+ (good plus)
The student demonstrates a good command of grammatical and lexical material. The student understands most information contained in listening and reading texts and correctly completes integrated skills tasks. The written assignment is relevant to the topic and mostly linguistically accurate. Minor errors may occur but do not disrupt communication.
Grade 4 (good)
The student demonstrates knowledge of the basic grammatical and lexical structures and understands the main ideas of listening and reading texts. Integrated skills tasks and the written assignment contain noticeable linguistic and stylistic errors; however, the responses remain communicative and relevant to the topic.
Grade 3+ (satisfactory plus)
The student demonstrates partial command of grammatical and lexical material. The student understands the main information in listening and reading texts but experiences difficulties with more complex language tasks. The written assignment addresses the topic at a basic level but contains numerous linguistic errors and limited language resources.
Grade 3 (satisfactory)
The student demonstrates only a basic command of the material. The student understands only the main information in listening and reading texts and makes numerous grammatical and lexical errors. Integrated skills tasks and the written assignment are completed only partially correctly, and language errors interfere with communication; however, the basic meaning remains understandable.
Rules of participation in classes
Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Each additional absence requires justification. The method of making up missed classes is determined by the course instructor.
If the student does not obtain a passing grade by the end of the semester, they have the right to complete the course and obtain the final grade under the same conditions during both the regular and resit examination sessions.
Bibliography
1. Cotton, D., Falvey, D. Kent, S. (2014). New Language Leader. (Upper-)-Intermediate. Pearson Education Limited.
2. Murphy R. (2004), English grammar in use, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press;
3. The instructor’s own materials (including open-access teaching materials published online on the YouTube platform).
|
Term 2024Z:
1. Ian Lebeau, Gareth Rees, David Cotton, David Falvey, Simon Kent (2014) New Language leader coursebook (upper-)intermediate, Pearson Education Limited |
Term 2025Z:
1. Ian Lebeau, Gareth Rees, David Cotton, David Falvey, Simon Kent (2014) New Language leader coursebook (upper-)intermediate, Pearson Education Limited |
Term 2026Z:
1. Cotton, D., Falvey, D. Kent, S. (2014). New Language Leader. (Upper-)Intermediate. Pearson Education Limited. |
Notes
|
Term 2024Z:
None |
Term 2025Z:
None |