Practical English 4100-3SNJAO
Practical English - Reading
The aim of the Practical English - Reading course is to improve students’ reading skills and develop their research skills (collecting, analyzing, selecting, assessing and synthesizing information) and to prepare them for the independent analysis of texts of various types. Two types of source texts are analyzed: cultural texts written in formal English and scientific texts. Working with the source text includes its critical analysis and an attempt to integrate the information it contains with the students’ previous knowledge. When analyzing the source text, students identify the presented problem / thesis, the arguments / research methods used and the conclusions reached by the author of the text. In addition to a thorough understanding of the content of the source text, students adopt a critical attitude towards the judgements and theories encountered in the text. As part of the course, students also become acquainted with the specificity of two varieties of English: the formal variety and the academic register as well as their characteristic features. Particular attention is paid to the following aspects of the formal and scientific register of English: professional vocabulary and terminology, syntax, organization and argumentation in the text, formal and logical consistency of the text. The course develops students’ linguistic awareness and sensitivity to precise, logically and linguistically correct expression of their views.
Course objectives:
• Developing the ability to read and interpret the content of cultural texts in formal English and scientific texts
• Developing critical thinking skills
• Developing the ability to articulate thoughts precisely and clearly in relation to the source text
• Developing students’ academic vocabulary at B2+ / C1 level.
Range of topics in winter semester:
• comprehensive and in-depth analysis of longer academic and popular science texts and press articles on various topics
• developing critical thinking skills
• elements of critical text analysis: author, goal, recipient, thesis, arguments for the thesis and their assessment: fact or opinion
• hidden and double meanings, irony, linguistic joke
• developing knowledge and ability to use academic vocabulary
Range of topics in summer semester:
• introducing elements of comprehensive and in-depth analysis of longer academic and popular science texts and press articles on various topics
• developing critical thinking skills
• developing knowledge and ability to use academic vocabulary
• introducing elements of critical text analysis:
- identifying author, goal, recipient, thesis, arguments for the thesis and their assessment, fact or opinion,
- identifying ways to strengthen an argument
- identifying in-text referencing
- assessing the logic of an argument
- identifying emotive language and persuasion techniques
- identifying hidden and double meanings, irony, linguistic joke
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 are to improve the accuracy and range of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation. The course will give students the opportunity to analyze and produce a variety of argumentative and critical texts as well as apply advanced writing techniques in the presentation and organization of their own thoughts. Individual and pair work will be conducted during the classes. Grade will be based on homework and in-class writing. In the second semester, students will write 3 000-word papers on educational topics.
Range of topics in winter semester:
• Biography of an elder relative
• Review and consolidation of article use
• Review and consolidation of punctuation: comma, semi-colon, apostrophe, hyphen
• Review and consolidation of sentence structure: subordination, coordination, relative clauses, cleft-sentences
• Critical response writing
Range of topics in summer semester:
Long essay
• Selection and narrowing down of the research topic
• Formulating and modifying thesis
• Complementary reading and note-taking
• Introduction and conclusion in academic writing
• Outlining a paper
• Quotation, citation, bibliography and how to avoid plagiarism
• Advanced exercises for sentence and paragraph structure, grammar, punctuation, abstract and translation
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+/C1 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:
1. preparation for the task (e.g. teaching aids such as text, audio / video recordings)
2. planning the execution of the task
3. performing the task (students work on a designated topic
4. reporting the results of the task and allowing time for feedback
Range of topics in winter semester:
• Interpersonal relationships
• Education and current affairs
• Culture and the arts in education
• Health and wellbeing
• Exploring the world of economics
• Presentation 1: structuring a recorded oral presentation
Note: topics may be implemented during several classes
Range of topics in summer semester:
• A sense of place: urban and educational environments
• Exploring social issues in education
• Childhood psychology in education
• Using history in education
• Presentation 2: structuring an in-class presentation
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.
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Term 2024Z:
The Year Two Practical English course aims to build upon the students’ existing knowledge of variations of speech patterns and non-standard English pronunciation. Furthermore, it encourages the student to be more confident in the ability to transcribe the spoken word and to formulate their own listening tasks from recorded material. It also encourages use of the internet and library as sources for material for speaking/reading/writing tasks. In addition, it fosters awareness of the rules governing grammar, word-building and word forms; develops critical expertise and awareness of text structure; links the course to other language and content courses in the curriculum; contributes to the wider mission of producing thinking, analytical graduates; separates objective and subjective argumentation and identifies and examines different modes of narrative. The course stresses the importance of understanding and appreciating the skills required for academic writing and, therfore, builds on the work of the previous year. Finally, it increases the accuracy and range of vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, enabling students to manage and comprehend a variety of texts and competently employ strategies to develop and structure ideas, which makes it possible to provide practice in error correction tasks; teach the value of self and peer-correction; build an awareness and sensitivity towards otherness and difference, both inside and outside the classroom. |
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
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
K_U18: use their speech apparatus in accordance with the principles of voice projection
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.
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
sylabusie Nauka Języka Angielskiego - Egzamin.
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 two 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.
Practical placement
Not applicable
Bibliography
Practical English - Reading
• Alderson, Ch. 2000. Assessing Reading. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
• Cox, K. & D.Hill 2004. English for Academic Purposes, Longman
• McCarthy,M., F.O’Dell 2008. Academic Vocabulary in Use. CUP
• Swan, M. 1999. Understanding Ideas. Advanced Reading Skills. CUP.
• Warwick, L., L.Rogers. 2018. Skilfull 4. Reading & Writing. Macmillan.
• Other chosen materials (np. advertisements)
Practical English - Writing
• Cory, H. (1999). Advanced Writing with English in Use CAE. Oxford.
• de Chazal, E. & Moore, J. (2013). Oxford EAP: Advanced/C1. Oxford.
• Gillett, A. (2024). Using English for Academic Purposes for students in higher education.https://www.uefap.org/
• On-campus Writing Lab. (2024). Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/index.html
• Other chosen materials
Practical English - Oral communication
• Brook-Hart, G. & Haines, S. (2014). Complete advanced (2nd ed.). Cambridge English.
• Burgess, S. & Thomas, A. (2008). Gold G1. Pearson Education.
• Hewings , M. (2017). English pronunciation in use: Advanced. Cambridge.
• McCarthy M. & O’Dell, F. (2008). English academic vocabulary in use. CUP.
• Soars, J. & Soars, L., (2019) Headway advanced (5th ed.). OUP.
• Vince, M. (2009). Advanced language practice. Macmillan Heinemann.
• Wellman, G. (1998). The Heinemann English wordbuilder. Macmillan Heinemann.
• BBC Radio / PBS podcasts
• Other chosen materials
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Term 2024Z:
See individual courses for more details |
Notes
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Term 2024Z:
Students are limited to TWO absences during the 2024 winter semester. In exceptional circumstances, consult with your subject teacher. Any home assignments that are uploaded by the teacher MUST also have some classroom time dedicated to feedback, etc. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: