Practical English 4100-2SNJAO
Full description of individual Practical English courses:
***
Practical English - Reading
The main objectives of the Practical English - Reading course: to share reading experiences, develop critical analysis skills, contribute to the creation of analytically minded graduates, encourage students to read texts on various topics for both pleasure and academic purposes. Original materials will be mainly used during the classes. The exercises are aimed at developing the ability to work with a text in terms of lexis (contextual inference strategies, working with a monolingual dictionary), paragraph structures (thematic and supporting sentences, the order of sentences in a paragraph, the general message of a paragraph), interpretation of non-fiction text: scientific and newspaper (thesis, structure of arguments, types of text / press articles, tones / styles, e.g. ironic, neutral, language tropes and jokes).
As part of their own work, students are required to prepare a wide range of homework assignments related to the development of vocabulary at an advanced level and critical text analysis.
Range of topics in winter semester:
- developing knowledge and ability to use academic vocabulary, focusing on inferring meaning from the context and the use of monolingual dictionaries
- practicing the skill of identification and analysis of the structure and patterns of development of the text, with a special focus on the structure and the main idea of the paragraph
- introducing the concept of cohesion, practicing the identification of cohesive devices
- introducing elements of comprehensive and in-depth analysis of longer academic and opinion texts, popular science texts and press articles on various topics
- developing critical thinking skills
- introducing elements of text interpretation and critical text analysis:
- identifying author, goal, recipient
- thesis in opinion texts
- arguments for the thesis and their assessment
- differentiating between fact and opinion,
- identifying in-text referencing and cohesive devices
- identifying cultural references
- identifying bias and assessing the degree of objectivity
- identifying figures of speech, hidden and double meanings, irony, wordplay
Range of topics in summer semester:
- introducing elements of comprehensive and in-depth analysis of longer academic and popular science texts, essays and press articles on various topics
- developing critical thinking skills
- developing knowledge and ability to use academic vocabulary, focusing on inferring meaning from the context and the use of monolingual dictionaries
- introducing elements of text interpretation and critical text analysis:
- identifying author, goal, recipient
- thesis in opinion texts
- arguments for the thesis and their assessment
- differentiating between fact and opinion,
- identifying in-text referencing and cohesive devices
- identifying cultural references
- identifying bias, manipulation and persuasion techniques
- identifying figures of speech, hidden and double meanings, irony, wordplay
Detailed information about the Practical English - Reading course can be found in the individual syllabuses for each class group.
***
Practical English - Writing
The main objectives of the Practical English - Writing course: to be able to construct paragraphs and essays in English. Students learn to apply lexical-grammatical structures, produce written work of specific formats, use discourse markers, pay attention to style and academic register as well as reflect on the above skills at B2/B2+ level.
In the winter semester, students learn the proper structure of a paragraph and formulate key sentences that create a paragraph: topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentence.
In the summer semester, students analyze and write essays, applying the skills they acquired in the winter semester to write paragraphs, being the building blocks of an essay.
Throughout the course, students learn to correctly use punctuation marks, create complex sentences using discourse connectors, and work on the accuracy of lexical and grammatical structures.
Range of topics in winter semester:
- Analysis and creation of paragraphs:
- paragraph structure: topic sentence. supporting sentences, concluding sentence
- unity, coherence and cohesion
- Language focus:
- sentence structure (introduction)
- academic vocabulary
- discourse markers
- formal register
- error correction
Range of topics in summer semester:
- Analysis and creation of the following essay formats: cause and effect, comparison and contrast, for and against:
- essay structure: division into paragraphs; the role of introduction and conclusion
- creating an essay outline: coherence and choice of relevant arguments
- Language focus:
- sentence structure and types of sentences (analysis and practice)
- discourse markers in creating a coherent text
- on-going work on vocabulary, grammar and punctuation
Detailed information about the Practical English - Writing course can be found in the individual syllabuses for each class group.
***
Practical English - Oral communication
The main objectives of the Practical English - Oral communication course: to develop students' listening and speaking skills as well as vocabulary at B2/B2+ level.
Classroom time focuses on students performing short oral tasks based on various types of didactic materials. This involves students in a variety of interactions - individual, pair and group work, allowing them to practise their oral skills.
Classes based on a typical problem-solving situation should allow time for:
- preparation for the task (e.g. teaching aids such as text, audio / video recordings)
- planning the execution of the task
- performing the task (students work on a designated topic
- reporting the results of the task and allowing time for feedback
Range of topics in winter semester:
- Physical appearance and emotions
- Family life
- Education
- Tourism and culture
- Law and order
- Discussing pictures 1: describing and speculating; assessing mood and appearance, implying
- Listening strategies 1
Note: topics may be implemented during several classes
Range of topics in summer semester:
- Housing and city life
- Weather and the environment
- Location and geography
- Economics and business
- Healthy lifestyle (medicine, food and nutrition)
- Discussing pictures 2: How a picture is connected with current affairs/social issues.
- Listening strategies 2
Note: topics may be implemented during several classes
Detailed information about the Practical English - Oral communication course can be found in the individual syllabuses for each class group.
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Individual Practical English courses aim to achieve the following learning outcomes:
Practical English - Reading
The graduate is able to:
K_U01: search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information, using a variety of sources and methods in English.
K_U11: conduct an argument using the views of other authors and formulate conclusions in English.
K_U12: communicate in English, using a variety of channels and techniques, with all participants in the teaching-learning process and experts in the academic disciplines and subjects that are relevant to the field of studies in foreign language teaching.
K_U14: prepare, and deliver in public, oral presentations in English for specific purposes, using basic theoretical approaches, as well as a variety of sources.
The graduate is prepared to:
K_K01: pursue lifelong learning.
K_K02: reflect on the level of their skills and knowledge, constantly develop professionally and personally,self-assess their competences, improve their skills, plan their development and training.
Practical English - Writing
The graduate is able to:
K_U01: search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information, using a variety of sources and methods in English.
K_U11: conduct an argument using the views of other authors and formulate conclusions in English.
K_U12: communicate in English, using a variety of channels and techniques, with all participants in the teaching-learning process and experts in the academic disciplines and subjects that are relevant to the field of studies in foreign language teaching.
K_U13: prepare written work in English, relevant to their course of studies, at an appropriate academic level, on specific issues, using basic theoretical approaches and a variety of sources
The graduate is prepared to:
K_K01: pursue lifelong learning.
K_K02: reflect on the level of their skills and knowledge, constantly develop professionally and personally,self-assess their competences, improve their skills, plan their development and training.
Practical English - Oral communication
The graduate is able to:
K_U01: search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information, using a variety of sources and methods in English.
K_U11: conduct an argument using the views of other authors and formulate conclusions in English.
K_U14: prepare, and deliver in public, oral presentations in English for specific purposes, using basic theoretical approaches, as well as a variety of sources.
K_U15: speak and write consistently and precisely in English on topics related to educational matters, applying different theoretical approaches and using findings from other disciplines related to the field of studies
The graduate is prepared to:
K_K04: conduct interpersonal and intercultural communication mediating with participants in the teaching-learning process in a local and global context
K_K05: interact and work in a group, performing various roles
Assessment criteria
Only those students who have achieved a pass mark in all NJA courses in the winter semester are allowed to attend the NJA courses in the summer semester.
All NJA courses end with a grade.
The condition for obtaining credit for the course is:
- attendance (according to regulations below),
- systematic work,
- completion of tasks within the deadlines.
Only work created solely by the student will be accepted.
Maximum number of unexcused absences:
- Practical English - Reading (blended course): 1 absence
- Practical English - Writing (on-site course): 2 absences
- Practical English - Oral communication (on-site course): 2 absences
Detailed information on the assessment methods and assessment criteria of the NJA courses can be found in the syllabuses for each group.
Practical English - Exam
Practical English courses in year one of undergraduate studies ends with an exam after the second semester.
Only those students who have achieved a pass mark in all NJA courses in the winter and summer semesters are allowed to take the Practical English Exam.
Detailed information about the exam can be found in the Practical English - Exam syllabus.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Practical English - Reading
Alderson, C. (2000). Assessing Reading. Cambridge University Press
Baudoin, M., E. et al. (1977). Reader's Choice. The University of Michigan Press.
Grellet, F. (1981). Developing Reading Skills. CUP.
Muller, G. H, and Wiener Harvey S. (2002). The Short Prose Reader. McGraw Hill
Numrich, C. (2009) Raise the Issues. An Integrated Approach to Critical Thinking. Pearson Education ESL
Nuttal, C. (1999). Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language. Heinemann.
Pye, D., and Simon Greenall (2007). CAE. Developing Reading Skills. Cambridge University Press
The British Council (1979). Reading and Thinking in English. Exploring Functions. OUP.
Selected essays./The Norton Reader, Dolphin Anthology
Selected articles
Selected essays
Practical English - Writing
Clabeaux, D., Folse, K. S. & Vestri, E. (2020). Great writing 3. National Geographic Learning.
Cory, H. (1999). Advanced Writing with English in Use CAE. Oxford.
de Chazal, E. & McCarter, S. (2012). Oxford EAP: Upper-Intermediate. Oxford.
Gould, Di Yanni & Smith (1998). The act of writing. Random House,
Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. (1999) Writing academic English. Pearson Educational.
Zemach, D. & Rumisek, L. (2006) Academic writing - from paragraph to essay. Macmillan.
Selected materials
Practical English - Oral Communication
Hancock, M. (1996). Pronunciation games. Cambridge.
McCarthy M. & O’Dell, F. (2007). English phrasal verbs in use (Advanced), CUP.
Marks, J. (2016). English pronunciation in use. Cambridge.
Rignall, M & Furneaux, C. (1997). Speaking. Prentice Hall.
Soars, L. & Soars, J. & Hancock, P. (2019) Headway upper-intermediate (5th ed.). OUP.
Ur, P. (1996). Discussions that work. CUP.
Vince, M. (2009). Advanced language practice. Macmillan Heinemann.
Wellman, G. (1998). The Heinemann English wordbuilder. Macmillan Heinemann.
BBC Radio / PBS podcasts
Selected materials
Notes
|
Term 2024L:
Only those students who have achieved a pass mark in all NJA courses in the winter semester are allowed to attend the NJA courses in the summer semester. All NJA courses end with a grade. The condition for obtaining credit for the course is:
Only work created solely by the student will be accepted. Maximum number of unexcused absences:
Detailed information on the assessment methods and assessment criteria of the NJA courses can be found in the syllabuses for each group. Practical English - Exam Practical English courses in year one of undergraduate studies ends with an exam after the summer semester. Only those students who have achieved a pass mark in all NJA courses in the winter and summer semesters are allowed to take the Practical English Exam. Detailed information about the exam can be found in the Practical English - Exam syllabus. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: