Practical English

The composite course aims at developing students' language skills at level C2 according to the CEFR and consists of four modules, i.e. ‘Grammar’, ‘Academic writing’, ‘Academic listening and speaking’, ‘Academic reading and vocabulary’. The modules are complementary and aim at developing students’ integrated skills in relation to academic English. Students intensively practice using spoken and written English to achieve communicative accuracy, fluency and appropriacy in the academic English register, as well as maintain grammatical and lexical accuracy, in order to reach level C2.

Grammar

Content distribution:

- subjunctives and unreal past; conditionals, vocabulary: prefixes and suffixes

- linking clauses (time and reason, result and purpose, concession clauses, vocabulary related to expressing purpose and effect; compounds

- adjectives and adverbs (adjective structures, inversion, making comparison, vocabulary: sentence adverbs, differences and similarities)

- nouns and articles (the or no article, singular, plural uncountable, classifying, adjectives and verbs as nouns; vocabulary: singular, plural and uncountable, phrasal verbs)

Academic listening and speaking

The course focuses on practical exercises in speaking fluently and appropriately to arrive at the C2 level of competence in English, also in terms of grammar and vocabulary. Speaking tasks are integrated with listening comprehension practice based on academic lectures.

Content distribution:

- Psychology and behaviour: using navigational language, signposting, checking, clarifying and confirming

- Sustainability: signposting, introducing, contributing, interrupting and turn-taking

- Creativity: establishing key words and themes; summarizing ideas from written sources

- Information: a poster presentation: identifying key components, evaluating; asking critical questions

- Patterns: chronological sequence; giving a group presentation

- Responsibility: summarizing main points, comparing and combining information; conducting a seminar discussion

- Variation: evaluating a lecturing style

Academic reading and vocabulary

The course consists of practical exercises related to reading, use of grammar and vocabulary, paraphrasing, error correction with the emphasis on academic skills.

Content distribution:

- identifying purpose, perspectives and arguments in and across texts, identifying the main points in a text, identifying assumptions and answering critical questions about a text

- paraphrasing

- error correction

- use of grammar (grammatical differences in usage, identifying verb patterns and repeated patterns to decode long sentences)

- use of vocabulary (using and recognizing different word forms used to express perspectives, word combinations, word formation, connotation, understanding how synonyms alter meaning)

Academic writing

The course consists of practical exercises related to structuring, writing, and editing academic texts.

Content distribution:

− Gaining and developing skills connected with academic writing: working on clarity, coherence, style, logical and grammatical correctness, and vocabulary characteristic of the academic register in accordance to C1-level standards

− Developing skills related to critical reading and correcting of one's own texts - self-evaluation and peer evaluation

− Developing competence connected with working with a text editor

A graded credit on the basis of:

Grammar

W1, W3 - written test administered at the end of the semestre

Academic writing

W2 - in-class writing tasks and home assignments

Academic listening and speaking

U1, U3 - vocabulary and listening comprehension tests, samples of live or recorded spoken interactions, a final speaking test

Academic reading and vocabulary

U1 - reading comprehension and vocabulary tests, home assignments

Assessment criteria:

fail – 0-59 %

satisfactory – 60-69 %

satisfactory plus – 70-75 %

good – 76-85 %

good plus – 86-90 %

very good – 91-100 %

The final test/presentation in every Practical English module is administered to determine the extent to which students have met the assumed learning outcomes and it values at least 50% of the final grade. A passing score must be obtained on the final test to pass each component.

Timely completion of assigned tasks is obligatory. In the case of assignments submitted after the deadline or re-submitted, the grade is lowered by 10%.

The students are evaluated in accordance with the 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 by 10% 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 the 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%. If a student fails a test, they have the right to one retake.

The general aim of the module is to diagnose and equalize the level of students around C1+ (CEFR) in order to facilitate their work in content-based courses. Practical English course is a block of classes consisting of 5 courses: Academic Writing, Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary, Translation, and Laboratory (listening and speaking).

Grammar

Required reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Dellar, Hand and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Cengage Learning.

Foley, Michael D. Hall. 2012. ​My grammar lab advanced C1/C2. Longman.

Swan, Michael and D. Baker. 2008. ​Grammar scan: diagnostic tests for practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Additional reading:

Evans, Virginia. 2002. CPE Use of English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hewings, Michael. 2005. ​Advanced grammar in use. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Vince, Michael. 2010. ​Grammar scan: diagnostic tests for practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Reading and Vocabulary

Required reading:

Dellar, H and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage Learning.

Nuttall, C. and A. French. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Workbook. Cengage Learning.

Gude, Kathy and Michael Duckworth. 2002. Proficiency Masterclass. Student's Book. Oxford.

Additional reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Academic Writing

Anker, S. 2009. Real Writing with Readings: Paragraphs and Essays for College, Work, and Everyday Life, Fifth Edition Edition

Dellar, H and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage Learning.

Gude, Kathy and Michael Duckworth. 2002. Proficiency Masterclass. Student's Book. Oxford.

Heffernan, J. A.W. and John E. Lincoln, 2000, Writing: A College Handbook.

Zemach, D. E and Lisa A. Rumisek. 2006. Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay.

Translation

Required reading:

Belczyk, A. 2002. Poradnik tłumacza: z angielskiego na nasze.Wydawnictwo Idea. Kraków.

Bogudziński, J. Buczkowski, K. Kaznowski, A. 2004. ​Wzory umów i pism. Kompendium of Legal Templates. Wydawnictwo C.H. Beck. Warszawa.

Dzierżanowska, H. 1998. Przekład tekstów nieliterackich na przykładzie języka angielskiego. PWN. Warszawa.

Kierzkowska, Danuta (red.). 1998.​ Dokumenty polskie. Wybór dla tłumaczy sądowych. Wydawnictwo TEPIS. Warszawa.

Kierzkowska, Danuta (red.). 1998. Selection of English Documents. Wydawnictwo TEPIS. Warszawa.

Mayoral Asensio, R. 2003. Translating Official Documents. St Jerome Publishing.

Additional reading:

Chazal, E., McCarter. S. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Hejwowski, K. 2004. Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria przekładu. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. Warszawa.

Korzeniowska, A., Kuhiwczak, P. 1998. Successful Polish-English Translation: Tricks of the Trade. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. Warszawa.

Piotrowska, M.2003. Learning Translation-Learning the Impossible? A Course of Translation from English into Polish. Universitas. Kraków.

Laboratory

Required reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Dellar, H and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage Learning.

Gude, Kathy and Michael Duckworth. 2002. Proficiency Masterclass. Student's Book. Oxford.

Additional reading:

English language podcasts and other resources available on moodle course page, including: TED Talks, Moth, Stuff You Missed in History Class, etc

Practical English course is a block of classes consisting of 5 courses: Academic Writing, Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary, Translation and Laboratory (listening and speaking).

Grammar

The aim of the course is to discuss various aspects of the English grammar at an advanced level, in particular: past tenses, future structures, and the passive voice.

Content distribution (winter semester)

− Diagnostic test

− Tenses

− Passive voice, causatives

− Conditionals, subjunctive

Content distribution (summer semester):

− Modal verbs

− Coordination

− Prepositions in noun phrases, verbs/adjectives + prepositions

Reading and Vocabulary

This component aim at developing techniques improving the deep-level comprehension of analysed academic texts. Another aim is to expand advanced vocabulary.

Content distribution (Winter semester)

− Introduction (presentation of learning outcomes, content of the course, evaluation methods and criteria, code of conduct)

− Medicine: sickness and health

− Safety, danger, risk

− Business and economics

− Fashion

− Evaluation

Content distribution (Summer semester)

− Introduction (presentation of learning outcomes, content of the course, evaluation methods and criteria, code of conduct)

− The media and the message (language in the news)

− Words speak volumes (the tree of language)

- Travelling: it broadens the mind

− Politics (taking liberties)

- Evaluation

Academic Writing

The goal for the course is to familiarize with the structure of a paragraph/essay (topic sentence, body, making a point), academic register as well as composing complex sentences that follow logic (proper reasoning). Upon completion, ability to compose well-structured, coherent academic texts is expected.

Content distribution (winter semester):

− paragraph structure

− academic register

− reasoning

Content distribution (summer semester):

− essay structure

− coherence, academic register

− argumentation

Translation

The aim of the course is to develop practical translation skills, raise awareness of translation problems and solve them using appropriate translation strategies, techniques and tools.

Content distribution (winter semester):

- tourism-related texts (leaflets, brochures, guides),

- medical texts,

- literary translation.

Content distribution (summer semester):

- instruction manuals,

- business texts (advertisements, company profiles, agreements),

- legal texts (job contracts, BMD certificates).

During the course, students will:

− produce translations of a variety of literary and technical texts

(tourism, instruction manuals, poems, prose, agreements, etc.),

− review and correct translations into Polish,

− review and correct translations into English,

− use translation techniques applicable for a given text type and audience,

− recognize and correctly render culture-specific elements,

− apply target language conventions where necessary with formatting, proper names, measurements, and address forms.

Laboratory

The aim is to integrate the listening comprehension of advanced authentic texts on intellectually stimulating topics (incl. popular science) representing various formats (dialogs, reports, debate, and academic lectures) with the development of speaking skills (inc. oral reproduction and discussion). The materials will be based on C1+ level coursebooks and American podcasts, analysed for their grammatical, lexical, and discourse, as well as content, and C1+ practice tests.

Content distribution (winter semester):

Advances in modern medicine (students’ choice plus Masterclass:1 sickness and health)

Psychology and behavior (students’ choice plus Chazal 1: using navigational language, signposting, checking, clarifying and confirming)

Storytelling (danger and risk) (The Moth: students’ choice plus Masterclass: 3 safety and danger)

Sustainability: (Chazal 5: signposting cont, introducing, contributing, interrupting and turn-taking)

Content distribution (summer semester):

Current affairs (students’ choice) − functions: asking for clarification; backtracking, interjections; summarizing and discussing issues)

Data (Chazal 7) (evidence vs. evaluation, critical evaluation; signposting cont.)CREATIVITY (establishing key words and themes; summarizing ideas from written sources) (coursebook)

History

Politics: (Masterclass 10, taking liberties) (political radicalism, challenges to democracy)

The general aim of the module is to diagnose and equalize the level of students around C1+ (CEFR) in order to facilitate their work in content-based courses. Practical English course is a block of classes consisting of 5 courses: Academic Writing, Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary, Translation, and Laboratory (listening and speaking).

Grammar

Required reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Dellar, Hand and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Cengage Learning.

Foley, Michael D. Hall. 2012. ​My grammar lab advanced C1/C2. Longman.

Swan, Michael and D. Baker. 2008. ​Grammar scan: diagnostic tests for practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Additional reading:

Evans, Virginia. 2002. CPE Use of English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hewings, Michael. 2005. ​Advanced grammar in use. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Vince, Michael. 2010. ​Grammar scan: diagnostic tests for practical English usage. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Reading and Vocabulary

Required reading:

Dellar, H and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage Learning.

Nuttall, C. and A. French. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Workbook. Cengage Learning.

Gude, Kathy and Michael Duckworth. 2002. Proficiency Masterclass. Student's Book. Oxford.

Additional reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Academic Writing

Anker, S. 2009. Real Writing with Readings: Paragraphs and Essays for College, Work, and Everyday Life, Fifth Edition Edition

Dellar, H and A. Walkley. 2012. Outcomes. Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage Learning.

Gude, Kathy and Michael Duckworth. 2002. Proficiency Masterclass. Student's Book. Oxford.

Heffernan, J. A.W. and John E. Lincoln, 2000, Writing: A College Handbook.

Zemach, D. E and Lisa A. Rumisek. 2006. Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay.

Translation

Required reading:

Belczyk, A. 2002. Poradnik tłumacza: z angielskiego na nasze.Wydawnictwo Idea. Kraków.

Bogudziński, J. Buczkowski, K. Kaznowski, A. 2004. ​Wzory umów i pism. Kompendium of Legal Templates. Wydawnictwo C.H. Beck. Warszawa.

Dzierżanowska, H. 1998. Przekład tekstów nieliterackich na przykładzie języka angielskiego. PWN. Warszawa.

Kierzkowska, Danuta (red.). 1998.​ Dokumenty polskie. Wybór dla tłumaczy sądowych. Wydawnictwo TEPIS. Warszawa.

Kierzkowska, Danuta (red.). 1998. Selection of English Documents. Wydawnictwo TEPIS. Warszawa.

Mayoral Asensio, R. 2003. Translating Official Documents. St Jerome Publishing.

Additional reading:

Chazal, E., McCarter. S. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Hejwowski, K. 2004. Kognitywno-komunikacyjna teoria przekładu. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. Warszawa.

Korzeniowska, A., Kuhiwczak, P. 1998. Successful Polish-English Translation: Tricks of the Trade. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. Warszawa.

Piotrowska, M.2003. Learning Translation-Learning the Impossible? A Course of Translation from English into Polish. Universitas. Kraków.

Laboratory

Required reading:

Chazal, E. and Sam McCarter. 2012. Oxford. A course in English for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.

Additional texts:

English language podcasts and other resources available through moodle course page, mostly TED Talks.