English Language and Culture 1
Instructor: Anastasia Chrysanthopoulou
Language: English
Degree: Undergraduate
Department: Department of Primary Education
Year of Study: 1st
Type of Course: Compulsory
ECTS: 5
Available for Erasmus Students: Yes
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of English is recommended towards students’ successful completion of the course (B2, C1)
Course description
This course is for students who have a B2 Language level(Upper intermediate –Advanced) and are interested in finding out more about British culture and improving their English language skills.
It uses short videos to present a different topic each week which help you to develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English. It examines some of the language used in the videos and will draw your attention to useful points that will help you improve your spoken and written English.
The course takes authentic English material in context as its starting point. Tasks and discussions will help you measure your understanding and practise your English throughout the course. At the end of each week you will be asked to describe your own feelings and experiences about that week’s topic in a short piece of writing.
It is structured around a number of tasks, all of which involve developing a better understanding and practise all four Skill, reading writing, listening and writing.
It explores the relationship between language and culture.
Learning Outcomes
Develop vocabulary and vocabulary skills
Apply strategies for reading and comprehending advanced authentic texts
Expand /enrich Vocabulary
Improve all four language skills – reading, listening ,speaking ,writing to a satisfactory level.
Analyse word forms and word families
Develop pronunciation skills
Acquisition and language use in relation to culture, society, communication.
Develop further language skills using the technology available in addition to classroom training. In other words students are prepared for autonomous learning.
Respect for difference and multiculturalism
Course Contents
Global English
Evolving English
Street language –slang
Pronunciation - Cockney Rhyming Slang
British Accents
What is Britishness
the truth about British politeness
The English language of the Internet
Scots language: Reading and Listening
Differences between formal -informal English
Lost in Translation
All the taught material and suggested bibliography are uploaded online (e-class)
Teaching Activities
Lectures and classroom exercises/activities (3 hours per week)
Teaching Organization
Activity
Lectures and classroom activities. 13X3 = 39hours
Reading- Language and lexical exercises 11 hours
- Assessment
- To be exempted from the written Final Exam students should submit an original copy of their Language Certificates
- Level B2 , Upper Intermediate, pass grade 5
- Level C1, Advanced, grade 6
- Level C2, Proficiency, grade 7
- Students are expected to write an Optional assignment –essay of 500 words on a general social issue, present an opinion , argument or problem, in consultation with the teacher, in Times New Roman or Calibri size 12 double -spaced.(+ 20% of the overall assessment)
- The Writing task is evaluated according to the following criteria:
Task response: ability to address the topic fully by presenting and supporting ideas thoroughly.
Coherence and Cohesion: writing organization and its logical sequence.
Lexical resource: the use of a wide range of relevant vocabulary in a natural way.
Grammatical range and accuracy: the use of grammatically correct and complex structures.
- Participation and attendance (+10%of the overall assessment)
All the taught material and suggested bibliography are uploaded online (e-class)
Use of ICT
Use of IT in teaching, and in communication with the students (e-class).
Support Learning through the e-class platform
