COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

COURSE SYLLABUS FOR THE SUBJECT English Language IV

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Subject: Code Type: Degree: Year / Semester: Department: Lecturers:

English Language IV 35326 Compulsory English Studies Second/Second Departament de Filologia Anglesa i Alemanya
Dr. Miguel Fuster Mrquez (Group AA/BA) Dra. Ana Beln Cabrejas Peuelas (Group AB) Dra. Nuria Edo Marz (Group AB) Beatriu Cardona i Prats (Group AC) Dra. Begoa Clavel Arroitia (Group BA) Dr. Sergio Maruenda Bataller (Group BB) Group AA Monday & Wednesday 8.00-10.00 Group AB Monday & Wednesday 8.00-10.00 Group AC Monday & Wednesday 8.00-10.00 Group BA Monday & Wednesday 15.00-17.00 Group BB Monday & Wednesday 15.00-17.00

Class Schedule:

2. INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT English Language IV is a second-year (second semester) compulsory subject that is part of the module English Language & Linguistics and the sub-module English Language (II-VIII). This subject is related to other subjects in the English Linguistics sub-module: History of the English Language, English Morphology and Lexis, English Syntax and Second Language Acquisition. The aim of the course is to develop communicative skills in English (listening and reading comprehension and written and oral expression,

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

communicative interaction and mediation) at the B2+ level in multiple contexts. At the same time, the course aims to promote autonomous learning, self-assessment, and remedial work with the lecturer. Recommended previous knowledge and competences: Students will need a minimum B2 level of English according to the Common European Framework (CEF).

3. WORKLOAD Activities Practice with the 5 skills as defined by the CEF and other competences. Attendance at seminars Sitting examinations Preparation of papers, projects, group work, etc. Class preparation Preparation for examinations Attendance at tutorials Workload: total Total ECTS credits # hours 33 6 12 32 32 32 3 150 6

4. COMPETENCES (GENERAL AND SPECIFIC) AND LEARNING OUTCOMES General

The development of interpersonal skills and the capacity for teamwork (C11). Participating in small groups (tutorials, seminars) and in group work and group projects. Being involved in activities where consensus is sought (making decisions with others) (C11). The development of the capacity for individual work, independent learning, organizational skills and time management. Taking responsibility for ones own learning with some monitoring on the part of the lecturer. Being confident and flexible in identifying and defining problems and being able to apply the appropriate knowledge, tools / methods to solve them (C12). The ability to design and manage projects and write high-quality reports, presentations and papers within a variety of work environments. The students will be able to examine and develop: text organisation, point of view, register and style, editing skills, paraphrasing, summarising, descriptive composition and argumentative composition (C13).

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

Specific
The acquisition of communicative and social competence in the English language (listening and reading comprehension and written and oral expression, communicative interaction and mediation, including grammatical and stylistic correction) at the B2+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. (C14) The ability to relate the geographical and historical aspects of the Englishspeaking world and its most relevant institutions with contemporary culture and society: Consolidation of the contents of introduced in History and Culture of English-Speaking Countries. Through the analysis of media discourse and other relevant written and audiovisual material, the students will become familiar with the most relevant aspects and events of English-speaking countries in order to better understand their evolution and current situation. (C16) An awareness of the theoretical and practical aspects of the following disciplines in English: phonology, lexicology, morphology, syntax and textual and discursive analysis. Students will concentrate on the theoretical and practical aspects of the English language. Consolidation of the competences included in English Language I. Practical activities that promote the use of English to explain linguistic phenomena. Acquisition of specific vocabulary including its pronunciation. Practical activities designed so that students can recognize different grammatical categories and their corresponding functions. (C18) An awareness of and ability to identify geographical, social and gender varieties of English, including non-literary registers. Students will be given the opportunity to indentify different geographical, social and gender varieties of English. In English Language IV we will focus on the mainstream varieties and some common registers, etc. (C28)

The ability to use tools, programs and software designed specifically for the
study of the English language and its literatures. Practical activities to learn how to communicate in English using web-based platforms. Activities in English to learn how to look for information using the universitys electronic resources. Learning how to use the Aulavirtual: questionnaires, resources, forums, etc. (C30)

5. CONTENTS
Reading: The world of entertainment Writing: An article Listening: Listening for detail. TV shows Speaking: Talking about likes and dislikes Grammar: Reported speech 1. Linking words for contrast Reading: Stories on personal experiences Writing: Stories. Ways of organising ideas Listening: Extracts on different subjects Speaking: Speculating. Using appropriate vocabulary Grammar: Modal verbs to express certainty and possibility Reading: Reporting on extreme situations Writing: Reports on improvements. Making suggestions and recommendations Listening: Intensive listening Speaking: Speculating Grammar: Modals expressing ability. As and Like. Look, seem, appear Reading: Modern lifestyles and health

Unit 9

Unit 10

Unit 11

Unit 12

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

Unit 13

Unit 14

Unit 15

Unit 16

Writing: An essay Listening: Attitudes to health Speaking: Discussing health issues Grammar: Relative pronouns and relative clauses Reading: On advice and recommendations Writing: Giving advice Listening: Animal world Speaking: Discussing nature Grammar: Third conditional. Wish / If only / Hope Reading: Descriptions: new homes Writing: An article Listening: Describing experiences with host families Speaking: Language of description. Talking about options Grammar: Causative have. Expressing obligation and permission Reading: Reading tourist information Writing: E-mail giving information, inviting and accepting Listening: Festivals Speaking: Turn-taking Grammar: The passive. The passive with reporting verbs Reading: Review of new technologies and developments Writing: A Review Listening: Discussing uses of new devices Speaking: Discussing new technology Grammar: Linking words: when, if, in case, even if, even though, whether. Reporting 2: Reporting verbs

6. COURSE SCHEDULE

# 1 2 3 4 5 10

UNITS

Unit 8 & Unit 9 Unit 10 & Unit 11 Unit 12 & Unit 13 Unit 14 & Unit 15 Unit 16 Oral tests

WEEKS 3 2 2 2 2 2 Total 13

7. METHODOLOGY AND ACTIVITIES Class Methodology Students are encouraged to learn as autonomously as possible, acquiring the knowledge and skills targeted in each unit of the course book and of additional material used in the classroom.

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

Theory-based classes: Grammar points will always be presented in context. Case studies and problem-solving learning will be used to deal with these and other concepts related to English language and culture.

Practical classes: Students will work with a set of materials aimed to provide them with the necessary skills to comprehend and produce written and oral texts, and also build on their active knowledge of lexical resources and grammar in English. Students will also be given the opportunity to acquire competences other than C14 in class.

Other activities

Seminars and tutorials will focus on all the work produced by the students, which includes case studies and problem-solving activities.

For continuous assessment, students will be required to produce a Portfolio designed to evaluate their improvement and exploitation of resources at their disposal. The Portfolio must include materials from dossiers, writing assignments, contributions to forums and blogs, and any other additional material. This work will be revised and evaluated in individual or group tutorials. Students will also be given the opportunity to acquire competences other than C14 in these seminars and tutorials.

8. LEARNING ASSESSMENT

There are two types of assessment: type A and type B. They are mutually exclusive (i.e. students can do one or the other but not both). If a student does any of the work for assessment type A, he/she cannot then do the final examination for students doing assessment type B.

Type A is for students who attend classes on a regular basis. For them, assessment will be made up of 3 parts:
5

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

Type of assessment a) Individual written theory and practice examination (use of English, writing, reading, listening, speaking). b) Portfolio c) Tutorials (group or individual)

% of final grade 70% 20% 10%

To pass the subject students need to get at least 5 out of 10 in each part. Otherwise, the rest of the marks will not be calculated for the final mark. The final mark will be the average of parts a, b and c.

Type B assessment is for students who cannot come on a regular basis. They will have the opportunity to do a final exam. The assessment for that exam will be:
Type of assessment a) Individual written theory and practice examination (use of English, writing, reading, listening, speaking). b) Examination will also include questions on competences other than C14. % of final grade 80%

20%

To pass the subject students need to get at least 5 out of 10 in parts a and b. The final mark will be the average of parts a and b.

Assessment Criteria

Theory Students will need to show that they have grasped the theoretical concepts that have been explained in the theory classes, as well as the lexical and functional items to be used in the multiple contexts seen in class.

Practice

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

Students will need to show that they have attained a B2+ competence level in the productive and receptive skills, as described in the learning outcomes (section 4) and in the course contents (section 5).

9. MATERIALS

a) Course Syllabus: Online in Aula Virtual b) Notes: Online in Aula Virtual c) Activities dossier: Online in Aula Virtual. 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES OF INFORMATION Basic texts for the preparation of discipline-specific content a. General bibliography (Manuals)
Coursebook Brook-Hart, Guy. 2008. Complete First Certificate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Students book + Workbook] Reference Hashemi, Louise & Barbara Thomas. 2009. Grammar for First Certificate (with answers). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Thomas, Barbara & Laura Matthews. 2009. Vocabulary for First Certificate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Tayfoor, Susan. 2009. Common Mistakes at First Certicateand How to Avoid Them. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

b. Specific bibliography (regarding content or units)

McCarthy, M. & F. ODell. English Vocabulary in Use (Intermediate to Upper Intermediate). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Murphy, Raymond. 2009 (3rd (Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate). Press. ed). English Grammar in Use Cambridge: Cambridge University

McCarthy, M. & F. ODell. English Phrasal Verbs in Use (Intermediate to Upper Intermediate). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. McCarthy, M. & F. ODell. English Idioms in Use (Intermediate to Upper Intermediate). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

COURSE SYLLABUS: ENGLISH LANGUAGE IV

Year 2010-2011

c. Complementary bibliography
Collins diccionario Publishers. espaol-ingls, ingls-espaol, Harper Collins

Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus. Harper Collins Publishers, 1999. Diccionario Oxford Espaol-Ingls/Ingls-Espaol, Oxford. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (New Edition). Longman. Swan, Michael, Practical English Usage, Oxford, 2000.