Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

English Language 1

• code 07832
• course 1
• term Semester 2
• type FB
• credits 6

Module: Humanities

Matter: Linguistic communication

Main language of instruction: English

Head instructor

Lda. Jean VILANOVA - jean@uic.es

Office hours

By appointment

The aim of this programme is primarily to provide students with the skills and knowledge to practice and perform the linguistic tasks related to everyday life in English.Emphasis is given to the communicative skills of speaking and writing whilst short texts are also used to deepen their knowledge and understanding of language structures and use of new vocabulary.

The programme contains 3 elements that include class-based lessons, tutorials and self study. The teacher-led lessons focus on speaking and writing about personal experiences and opinions whilst the reading activities are based on various aspects of everyday contexts, culture and society. Tutorials will focus on student development and interpersonal skills and will include an evaluated group project. The final part being the self study or ‘distance learning’ element which primarily focuses on developing listening skills, consolidating grammar and increasing the autonomy of the learner with respect to learning a foreign language.

All three elements have been specifically designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and resources that will increase their confidence in order to communicate effectively in English.

Preferred minimum global level is that of B1 before the start of the course

Classroom:

To prepare and equip students with the necessary lexical and grammatical knowledge and understanding in order to become effective communicators in English in everyday personal and academic contexts.

To reinforce the receptive skills of reading and listening through practice, using a variety of stimuli and to facilitate the improvement of the productive skills of speaking and writing.

 Tutorial:

To develop students’ interpersonal skills and ability to work with others in both native and an additional language.

Self Study:

To develop listening skills and familiarization with different accents and vocabulary.

relating to common situations and familiar matters, consolidate grammar usage and train students in how to learn a language independently using ICT and internet based resources.

1. Knowledge of the English language (competency 2)

Non-linguistic competencies in English

2. To acquire the ability to learn autonomously (competency 30)

3. To be able to develop interpersonal relations (competency 16)

• G02 - To lead, cooordinate and form part of interdisciplinary work teams.

Students are expected to achieve or surpass one of the above competencies at a level B1.

Linguistic competencies in English (competency 2)

1.Students will be able to:

Oral production

a. Carry out with reasonable fluency a straightforward description of one of a variety of subjects within his/her field of interest, presenting it as a linear sequence of points (B1*)

Spoken interaction

b. Communicate regarding familiar topics, express personal opinions and exchange information on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life. (B1.1)

Written production

c. Write straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within their field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence (B1*)

Overall reading comprehension

d. Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension (B1*)

Listening as a member of a live audience

e. Can follow in outline straightforward short talks on familiar topics provided these are delivered in clearly articulated standard speech (B1.1*)

*Students already demonstrating linguistic skills at a level B1 will be expected to work towards demonstrating these skills at a level B1+ or above.

Non-linguistic competencies in English

2. (30) Demonstrate the ability to learn autonomously.

3. (16) Be able to develop abilities for interpersonal relations.

Topics:

Students will cover topics related to areas of most immediate personal and topics of cultural interest.

Language knowledge:

Students will revise the use of present, past and future tenses including perfect and continuous aspects; hypothetical expressions; modal auxiliary verbs; indirect speech; passive structures and sentence patterns.

In order to develop the communicative skills of the students (speaking, writing, reading and listening), a variety of classroom materials and range of activities will be used. At the same time, students will be expected to actively participate and use their newly acquired knowledge in pairs and small groups.

Emphasis will also be given to preparation for self-study using distance learning tools and internet materials, and this will form an essential part of the course equipping, and motivating students for the life-long learning of English.

Students are reminded that attendance and participation in class and continuous evaluation are fundamental to passing the course.

- Students who have not attended 80% of the subject in the first sitting do not have the right to take the final exam in that same sitting.

- Students with a final mark between 4 and 5 in the first sitting only have the right in the second sitting to make up the material that was failed or not handed in.

- Students with a mark that is less than a 4 in the first sitting will have to make up 100% of the subject in the second sitting by producing and defending a dossier before a tribunal and taking a final exam.

In all situations and in both sittings students must show a B1.2 level in English to pass the subject

Class-based materials provided by teacher.

Supplementary materials proved by teacher

Internet-based materials for self-study:

Student English File Resource