English C2.1
Code
711121049
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Línguas, Culturas e Literaturas Modernas, Secção de Estudos Ingleses e Norte-Americanos
Credits
4
Teacher in charge
David Philip Rowlands, Vanessa Marie Boutefeu
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
English
Objectives
The student should be able to
a) approach level C2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (Proficient user);
b) understand spoken discourse with few difficulties;
c) express orally their knowledge, ideas and feelings fluently, spontaneously and precisely with few lapses of grammar or vocabulary, using idiomatic and colloquial expressions naturally;
d) understand a wide range of extensive and demanding contemporary written texts, including academic articles, commentaries and works of fiction;
e) write a wide range of coherent, smoothly-flowing texts, in an appropriate style, using idiomatic language, with few language errors;
f) apply intercultural awareness, understand the culture-language relationship and deepen their knowledge of global varieties of English;
g) know how to analyze and control the systems of the English language, using them effectively;
h) be responsible for their own autonomous learning strategies and critical thinking skills.
Prerequisites
Pass in Inglês C1.2.
Subject matter
The course revolves around topics of a social, cultural and scientific nature, with flexibility built in to cater to different student needs/interests. Main topics covered are: communication (language policies, World Englishes); higher education (British universities, personal statements, academic paths); literature (reading, books & film); science (ethics, bio-technology, creation myths); the media (online news for decoding local/cultural references). These topics lead into development of the following specific skills:
Writing - note-taking skills; literature reviews; reports; discursive/academic texts; creative writing; personal statements
Speaking stress & intonation; spoken discourse analysis/production
Intercultural competence - identification, decoding & discussion of cultural references
Lexis - compound nouns; measurement & quantity; metaphor & idiom;
Grammar noun phrase review; modifiers; discourse markers
Editing/revising identifying & correcting linguistic errors
Bibliography
Bennett, A. (2007). The Uncommon Reader. London: Faber & Faber/Profile
Carter, R. & McCarthy, M. (2006). Cambridge Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Gillet, A., Hammond, A. & Martala, M. (2009). Successful Academic Writing. Harlow: Pearson Longman
Vince, M. & French, A. (2011). IELTS Language Practice: English Grammar and Vocabulary. Oxford: Macmillan
A collection of selected readings - articles, literary, cultural and media texts and linguistic tasks [Colectânea de leituras seleccionadas artigos, textos literários, culturais e mediáticos e actividades linguísticas (a disponibilizar pelo docente)]
Teaching method
Communicative and dialogic method with a task-based, intercultural approach, all of which seek to stimulate interaction and promote increasingly autonomous learning, revolving around a series of topics. Discussion is a key element often preceded by reading or listening input and/or analysis and followed up by written work/further research by students. Skills-based tasks require both linguistic and extra-linguistic competences. Inductive approach for extending grammatical and lexical knowledge. Frequent use of the internet and audio-visual means.
Evaluation method
Assessment is continuous and formative consisting of:
5 written texts of different types (1 written in class) 60%
2 spoken tasks (discursive/informative): 1 group/1 individual 20%
1 test: grammar, vocabulary, reading/listening tasks 10%
General coursework mark: active participation (including attendance) and evidence of autonomous learning development 10%
Minimum attendance: 66% of classes