English C1.1

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S

Cycles of Study/Courses

Teaching language

Objectives

The objectives of this course follow the CEFR guidelines. By the end of C1.1 (5th semester English Language) the students should be able to do the following: to understand and use  complex grammar in context (with particular reference to the grammar elements listed in the programme below);to develop students' language sklills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) within the themes listed in the programme below; to follow abstract argumentation in spoken and written English in, for example, the balancing of alternatives and the drawing of a conclusion; to participate actively and effectively in classes and Tutorial Discussion groups.

Learning outcomes and competences

1. Development of students' written skills in relation to producing argumentative texts and non-scientific articles.
2. Improvement of students' accuracy and fluency in spoken English, particularly when discussing the course themes and the plot, characters and ideas in a work of fiction or non-fiction
3. Increasing students' knowledge, understanding and application of the rules of grammar, with specific reference to those pertaining to the grammar areas detailed in the course programme below.
4. Developing the active and passive range of students' lexical resource, with particular reference the themes outlined in the course programme.

Working method

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Program

The syllabus is largely defined by the use of a Texto (see bibliography below).  The main thematic areas covered in this semester are ‘ New Empires, Old Empires" dealing with issues related to slavery, imperialism past and present 21st century empires and modern global economics;  "Language and Power", focusing on  different Englishes and how English has become a global language. In terms of grammar focus, particular emphasis is placedon Cleft sentences connectors, prepositions and conjunctions, adding and contrasting connectors, result and time connectors focus structures and fronting and inversion As well as Texto based exercises, specific classes are timetabled for intensive work on these items.

C1.1 - THEMES.

1. New Empires, Old Empires

2. Language and Power 

C1.1 - : GRAMMAR.

1. Connectors, perpositions and conjunctions

2. Focus structures and Cleft sentences 

3. Adding and contrasting connectors.

4. Result and time connectors..

5. Fronting and Inversion.


All students must print the learning materials for this level of English and bring a ‘hard copy’ to every class.

Mandatory literature

Comments from the literature

Teaching methods and learning activities

In order to move beyond the so-called ‘intermediate plateau’ and become ‘advanced’, students must be encouraged to improve on their oral fluency through a more automatized use of their existing language resources while maintaining a high degree of grammatical accuracy. A participative and dynamic approach to learning activities is essential on the part of both students and their teacher. To achieve this objective the students must be given sufficient time and number of opportunities to produce the target language but must also be given time and space to notice language features and build their awareness of how language functions as a system. The 'texto' assists in this latter function the inclusion of varied exercises, some, for example, dealing with the notion of ‘formality’ and how that is expressed in language. Content-rich instruction is provided by the partnership of the teaching materials adopted for the C1.1 and input from the teacher. This content is drawn from a variety of text genres and sources and includes aspects of the use of the target language to describe various socio-cultural contexts from around the globe. The C1.1 course to relate the both the ‘target culture’ and ‘international culture’ with the local culture of the students in a comparative but non-judgmental manner. Cooperative learning behaviours are fostered by the use of varied interaction patterns (such as pair and group work) and an acceptance of student initiated contributions and suggestions for additional activities or topics for discussion. A good example of this approach is the inclusion as part of the C1.1 course of ‘tutorial discussion groups’ where classes are sub-divided into smaller groups of students are required to develop their ideas and responses under a general them related to their current unit of study; further sub-groups work autonomously before being brought together in a teacher-moderated general discussion. These moments are important in terms of evaluation but also in terms of allowing student-centred production activities to become a regular element of the course programme.

All students must switch off or silence and put away their mobile phones before the class starts.

Software

keywords

Evaluation Type

Assessment Components

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Eligibility for exams

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark will be calculated based on the following components of assessment: Writing: 40% (two composition tests, both worth 20%); Use of English (Grammar & Vocabulary): 30% (two tests, the first worth 10% and the second 20%) Speaking: 30% (10% from participation in at least two in-class oral discussions, and 20% from a speaking test to be done in pairs at the end of the semester). All of these tests are to be done in class, except the second Use of English test, (which will be done with all the students together on a Saturday morning after classes have finished) and the final paired speaking test (which will take place after the end of the course). No doctionaries are permitted in any test.

Examinations or Special Assignments

RESITS. Students may only repeat ONE written test for which they have a negative mark. Students must inform their teacher in writing (via email) which test they wish to repeat so that their names are generated automatically for the ‘recurso’ marks list on Sigarra.

Internship work/project

N/A

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Classification improvement

Observations

Class work and evaluation will be conducted exclusively in English. Worker students should maintain contact with their class teacher and colleagues and stay informed as to progress and dates for tests etc.