Practical English

ACADEMIC WRITING (winter and summer semesters)

Contact hours with the teacher:

- participation in classes - 10 hrs

Self-study hours:

- preparation for the class – 10 hrs

- on-line assignments and homework completion – 20 hrs

- preparation for the end-of-term writing test – 10 hrs

Total: 50 hrs (2 ECTS)

GRAMMAR (winter and summer semesters)

Contact hours with the teacher:

- participation in classes - 10 hrs

Self-study hours:

- preparation for the class – 20 hrs

- preparation for tests and end-of-term grammar test – 20 hrs

Total: 50 hrs (2 ECTS)

READING AND VOCABULARY (winter and summer semesters)

Contact hours with the teacher:

- participation in classes - 10 hrs

Self-study hours:

- reading assigned texts - 10 hrs

- home assignments - 20 hrs

- extending domain knowledge (topic-related research) - 10 hrs

Total: 50 hrs (2 ECTS)

SPEAKING/LAB (winter and summer semesters)

Contact hours with the teacher:

- participation in classes - 10 hrs

Self-study hours: 40 hrs

Total: 50 hrs (2 ECTS)

Altogether: 200 hrs (8 ECTS)

ACADEMIC WRITING

W1: The student knows the structure of an MA thesis, its main components, style and register. (K_W04)

GRAMMAR

The student

W2: knows English grammar and lexis at C1 level (K_W02, K_W04)

W3: defines theoretical concepts concerning the grammar issues discussed in class (K_W02)

READING AND VOCABULARY

The student

W4: knows the vocabulary of English at an advanced level (K_W02)

SPEAKING/LAB

W5: The student has advanced knowledge of English vocabulary (including idiomatic and fixed expressions), grammar and style. (K_W02)

ACADEMIC WRITING

The student

U1: creates a bibliography and in-text references in accordance with the MA stylesheet. (K_U01, K_U14)

U2: paraphrases academic LSP texts, respecting the copyright and using available dictionaries. (K_U11, K_U18, K_U20)

U3: uses a text editor and a stylesheet when writing. (K_U14)

U4: paraphrases texts of different registers and styles, respecting the copyright and using a monolingual dictionary during a test. (K_U11, K_U18, K_U20)

U5: uses correct punctuation in texts of different registers and styles. (K_U11)

GRAMMAR

The student

U6: is able to select information concerning the grammar issues discussed and apply it during individual and group work. (K_U01)

U7: reads course books comprehensively. (K_U02)

U8: is capable of discussing the material with the teacher and other students. (K_U05)

U9: applies their knowledge of English grammar to communicate and solve tests at C1 (+) level. (K_U15)

READING AND VOCABULARY

The student

U10: (K_U02) is able to read and comprehend advanced texts in English. (K_U02)

U11: is able to use a variety of registers and varieties of the English. (K_U18)

SPEAKING/LAB

U12: The student understands and is capable of summarising semi-specialised content from a variety of thematic domains (K_U05)

U13: The student is capable of efficiently delivering oral presentations, as well as preparing them based on the sources available online. (K_U12)

U14: The student can engage in a casual conversation, demonstrating advanced (C1) spoken English skills. (K_U15)

U15: The student can use the vocabulary and grammar characteristic of the language register appropriate in a particular context. (K_U19)

ACADEMIC WRITING

The student

K1: works and assumes various roles in a team, presents results of his/her work and provides feedback to other students. (K_K02)

K2: is aware of the threat connected with failure to comply with rules of creating texts according to the applicable copyright and good practices. (K_K04)

GRAMMAR:

The student

K3: participates in groupwork, negotiating solutions to grammar problems discuused in class. (K_K02)

K4: is able to define short-term and long-term study goals and organize their individual preparation for tests. (K_K03)

READING AND VOCABULARY

K5: The student, owing to his/her English competence, is prepared to function effectively in a given cultural area. (K_K08)

SPEAKING/LAB

K6: The student is capable of efficient collaborative work and of assuming a variety of functions in a team (K_K02)

ACADEMIC WRITING

Expository teaching methods:

-) description

-) discussion

-) participatory lecture

Exploratory teaching methods:

-) practical

-) brainstorming

-) problem-solving

GRAMMAR:

Expository teaching methods:

-) description

-) participatory lecture

Exploratory teaching methods:

-) brainstorimng

-) classic problem-solving

READING AND VOCABULARY

Expository teaching methods:

-) discussion

Exploratory teaching methods:

-) brainstorming

-) practical

-) seminar

SPEAKING/LAB

-) practical

-) laboratory

-) brainstorming

-) project

Practical English course is a block of classes consisting of 4 courses: Academic Writing, Grammar, Reading and Vocabulary and Speaking/Laboratory. The general aim of the course is is to master students' competence at C1 (+) level.

ACADEMIC WRITING

The module develops students’ academic writing skills on C1 level and focuses on the skills required to write a BA thesis. Throughout the summer semester, paraphrasing, summarising, citing, and referencing will be practised in longer texts, with particular attention paid to the ability to work with academic sources and to document their use in accordance with the Department of English stylesheet.

Students will learn how to evaluate and revise their own work and that of their peers (peer-assessment and self-assessment) to improve language accuracy with regard to advanced grammar, lexis and academic register; they will work on texts individually and in groups to improve their clarity and coherence.

Content distribution (summer semester):

- An overview of rules and regulations, teaching and learning outcomes, content, methods and assessment criteria of the course

- Academic vocabulary, Latinate vs. colloquial lexis, emotional and personal expressions

- Hedging

- EAP style problems (academic vocabulary, hedging, stance, paraphrase

- Other common problems (punctuation/typography, use of linking words, editing problems: table of contents, tables, divisions, etc.)

GRAMMAR

During classes students will become acquainted will selected grammar issues and master their linguistic competence at C1 (+) level.

Content distribution (winter semester):

- Introduction - an overview of rules and regulations, teaching and learning outcomes, content, methods and assessment criteria

- Inversion and emphasis (2 hrs)

- Subordinate clauses (3 hrs)

- Reported speech (3 hrs)

Evaluation of progress:

-Tests and individual feedback (2 hrs)

Content distribution (summer semester):

- Gerund and infinitive (2 hrs)

- Verb patterns (3 hrs)

- Miscellaneous grammar tests at C1(+) level (2 hrs)

Evaluation of progress:

- Tests and individual feedback (3 hrs)

READING AND VOCABULARY

Content distribution (Summer semester)

- Introduction (presentation of learning outcomes, content of the course, evaluation methods and criteria, code of conduct) + selected article (current affairs)

- News and the Media

- The 21st century workplace

- Discussing arguments and theories

- Academic register – analysing results; summarizing and concluding

- Tests and individual feedback

SPEAKING/LAB

Content distribution (summer semester):

Work in this module of practical English skills is aimed at improving the students’ skills at delivering oral presentations to various target groups (profiled academic or professional audience). Consequently, the focus of the classes in the summer semester is on:

- preparing and delivering oral presentations

- discussing/presenting research

- exercising control over register/formality

In terms of content, the speaking/listening material will cover politics and International relations, education, health and the environment.

Students will be asked to discuss a list of questions on each topic area and use listenings from a variety of sources to assist them further in answering the set questions. During the listenings they will be asked to make Cornell notes and use these notes in class. Presentations will also be practised in Politics and International relations with students being asked to work with their groupings to come up political manifestos and then present them to the rest of the class for an argumentative discussion.

ACADEMIC WRITING

Required reading:

The MA stylesheet available on the Department of English website.

Resources available on Moodle course page.

Macpherson, R. Advanced Written English. 2001. PWN.

Macpherson, R. English for Academic Purposes. 2006. PWN.

Macpherson, R. University English. 1994. Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne.

Macpherson, R. English for Writers and Translators.

Adams-Tukiendorf, M. & D. Rydzak. Developing Writing Skills: A Manual for EFL Students.

de Chazal, E. English for Academic Purposes.

Additional reading:

Macpherson, R. University English.

Macpherson, R. Advanced Written English.

McCarthy, M., O'Dell, F. Academic Vocabulary in Use.

GRAMMAR:

Required reading (selected chapters):

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

M. Hewings, Advanced grammar in use, Cambridge 2005.

R. Side, G. Wellman, Grammar for Advanced and Proficiency, Longman 2002.

M. Swan, D. Baker, Grammar scan: diagnostic tests for practical English usage, Oxford 2008.

M. Vince, Advanced language practice: English grammar and vocabulary, Oxford 2010.

Schrampfer Azar, B. 2002. Understanding And Using English Grammar. Advanced. 3rd Edition. White Plains: Pearson Education.

Additional reading:

S. Greenbaum, R. Quirk, A student’s grammar of the English language, London 1990.

M. Swan, Practical English usage, Oxford 2005

Other resources made available on Moodle course page

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READING AND VOCABULARY

Required reading (selected chapters):

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

Gairns, R., and S. Redman. 2009. Oxford Wordskills: Advanced. Oxford.

Capel, A., and W. Sharp. 2013. Objective Proficiency. Cambridge University Press.

O’Dell F., and M. McCarthy. 2008. English Collocations in Use: Advanced. Cambridge University Press.

Porter, D. 2007. Check your Vocabulary for Academic English. A&C Black Publishers.

Stephens, M. 2002. New Proficiency Reading. Longman.

Vince, M., and A. French. 2011. IELTS Language Practice. Macmillan.

Additional reading:

Other resources made available on Moodle course page

SPEAKING/LAB

Specific texts and other materials will be selected in cooperation with the students. The sources of material include:

News items (written / spoken / video material) from sites such as the BBC

Podcasts (e.g. TED Talks, Carta)

Episodes of TV series (e.g. the Family Guy)

Performance of stand-up comedians

Assessment methods:

ACADEMIC WRITING (summer semester)

1) tests / tasks completed during online classes (50%) W1, U1, K2

2) homework (25%) U1, U2, K1

3) wriiten assignment in the summer semester - U2, U3, U4, W1 (25%)

GRAMMAR

- student's active participation in classes + assignments + tests completed during online classes (50%) - U6, U7, U8, K3

- final test (summer semester) (50%) - W2, W3, K4

READING AND VOCABULARY

- home assignments and active participation in classes (20%) K5, U9, U11

- tests completed during online classes (30%) W4

- end-of-semester written test (50%) W4

SPEAKING/LAB

(Summer semester)

1) an oral presentation of one of the questions discussed during the semester and then answering follow-up questions related to the presentation. (50%) U14, U15

2) participation in class: continuous assessment (50%) W5, U14

Assessment criteria:

fail - 0-59%

satisfactory- 60 - 69 %

satisfactory plus- 70 - 75 %

good - 76 - 85 %

good plus- 86 - 90%

very good- 91 - 100%

Methods of assessment (winter and summer semesters):

The final PNJA grade is the average of the results of all four components of the module.

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 50% of the final grade.

The students are evaluated in accordance with the university regulations, and they must attend all course meetings.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. Students who have failed the test are allowed one retake, which in case of the final test is administered in the retake examination session.

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