2026/2027
Английский язык для общих академических целей. Профессиональный курс – 1
Статус:
Факультатив
Когда читается:
1, 2 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для своего кампуса
Преподаватели:
Пинчукова Анна Евгеньевна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Контактные часы:
48
Course Syllabus
Abstract
«English for General Academic Purposes. Proficiency Course–1» is designed for first-year HSE undergraduates of different majors to enhance their English skills in specialized academic discourses at the proficiency level. In compliance with the Concept of Development of Foreign-Language Communicative Competence of HSE Students and «Regulations for Interim and Ongoing Assessments of Students at National Research University Higher School of Economics», the course aims at developing English-language communicative, integrated, critical and creative thinking competences. Students should get no less than 75 points as a result of the Entrance Test to join the course. The course comprises two general academic topics crucial for navigating modern sociocultural contexts – sociology and economics. Students are expected to master different receptive and productive skills at the level of a Proficient User (according to the SCT Linguatest Scale), such as skimming and scanning, taking notes, annotating, paraphrasing, summarizing, participating in discussions, encouraging participation, preparing and delivering presentations, identifying main ideas and supporting details, developing their own ideas, integrating, and producing coherent and cohesive oral and written texts. The acquisition of the skills is checked with the help of grammar and vocabulary tests, written works (listening and reading tests, as well as an email and a summary), oral works (a discussion, a monologue, and a presentation), home assignment, and attendance rate. The offline exam (final assessment) checks students’ ability to deal with listening to texts within the academic context and producing comprehensible written summaries of academic texts. To successfully master the course, students are encouraged to work on SmartLMS. There are no blocking elements of assessment.
Learning Objectives
- In reading and listening: to critically analyze and evaluate complex academic texts, including identifying arguments, understanding rhetorical strategies, and recognizing assumptions and biases;
- in vocabulary and grammar: to expand and practice advanced vocabulary, particularly academic and domain-specific terminology relevant to students’ fields of study; to reinforce advanced grammar and style conventions in academic writing, including mastering complex sentence structures, using appropriate tone and formality, and understanding nuanced language usage;
- in speaking: to help students develop advanced skills in constructing and defending arguments, as well as engaging in productive academic debates and discussions; to develop advanced communication strategies for academic contexts, including negotiation, persuasion, and the ability to tailor communication to specific audiences and purposes; to provide opportunities for students to hone their skills in delivering effective academic presentations, including structuring content, using visual aids, and engaging with an audience;
- in writing: to master advanced academic writing skills, including synthesizing information from multiple sources, developing complex arguments, and effectively incorporating evidence to support their claims.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- to express oneself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions
- to know and use advanced vocabulary from the topics of sociology and economics
- to use active reading techniques (skimming and scanning)
- to ask for and respond to requests for elaboration and use turn-taking to encourage participation in a group discussion
- to select important ideas, interpret information, and take notes effectively during listening to academic discussions
- to write a detailed email/letter in an academic context
- to recognize main ideas and supporting details in reading
- to develop an argument and present main ideas and supporting details in a monologue
- to write a cohesive summary of an academic text/scientific article
Assessment Elements
- AttendanceAttendance grade is calculated using a 10-point grading scale based on a student’s attendance rate. The element CANNOT be retaken. Grade / Attendance Rate: 0 0–9% 1 10–19% 2 20–29% 3 30–49% 4 50–59% 5 60–69% 6 70–79% 7 80–89% 8 90–94% 9 95–99% 10 100%
- English Grammar and Vocabulary Test"English Grammar and Vocabulary Test" element includes tests on the topics "Sociology" and "Economics." Students take English Grammar and Vocabulary Test in class.
- Home AssignmentHA includes oral and/or written tasks that are assigned to students for independent completion and submission. Students do the tasks at home and either turn them in to their teachers or submit them via Smart LMS for grading.
- Written Assessment (WA)WA consists of minimum 4 tasks of different types, including interim ones (reading and listening tests, as well as an email with a proposal and a summary). WA refers to written tasks that students complete in class.
- Oral Assessment (OA)OA consists of minimum 3 tasks of different types, including interim ones (a monologue, a discussion, and a presentation) that students do in class.
- Final Assessment (FA)The exam is a written paper-and-pen test and is aimed at checking whether the student can demonstrate the acquisition of the learning objectives set. The exam consists of two parts, i.e. Listening (L) and Writing (W) that weigh 50% and 50% respectively in the total mark for the exam. Period of FA: 10 days prior to the exam week of the 2nd module. The release of examination papers: during the exam week. Time limit: 70 minutes offline. The structure of the exam: 1. Listening (L) Listen to the audio ONCE and complete the tasks. Max. 10 points. Students have no more than 20 minutes to complete the Listening (L) part. 2. Writing (W) Read the text. Summarize the text you have read. Write a summary. A student should write a summary of approximately 150 words. Students have 50 minutes to complete the writing part. Grading formula: L*0,5 + W*0,5 = 10.
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 2nd module0.1 * English Grammar and Vocabulary Test + 0.1 * Home Assignment + 0.3 * Final Assessment (FA) + 0.2 * Written Assessment (WA) + 0.1 * Attendance + 0.2 * Oral Assessment (OA)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- University success; reading; transition level, Zwier, L., 2017
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- English for academic study: Reading : course book, Slaght, J., 2006
- Английский язык для академических целей. English for Academic Purposes : учебник для вузов / Т. А. Барановская, А. В. Захарова, Т. Б. Поспелова, Ю. А. Суворова ; под редакцией Т. А. Барановской. — 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2025. — 203 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-18544-7. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/560849 (дата обращения: 02.07.2026).