English for General Communication Purposes. Intermediate Course - 2 – HSE University Course Catalogue – Higher School of Economics National Research University

2023/2024

Type: Optional course

Delivered by: School of Foreign Languages

When: 3, 4 module

Open to: students of one campus

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 80

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The discipline refers to the variable educational tracks offered to students of the curricula for bachelor's and master's degree at choice while mastering the optional course of English in accordance with the Concept of Development of English-language Communicative Competence of HSE Students. The course develops language skills and competences for general communication purposes. Throughout the course, students will have multiple opportunities to practise communicative language activities and strategies which concern listening, reading, writing, and speaking, as well as enhance their linguistic competencies in terms of vocabulary range and grammatical accuracy. The course uses only authentic materials and sources which include highly informative and relevant articles, reviews, essays as well as videos and podcasts. The course allows for extensive in-class interactions and online support in the HSE’s SmartLMS. By the end of the course students will have gained the skills and confidence to communicate effectively in English at B1 level (HSE Scale 40-49).

Learning Objectives

To develop language skills and competences for general communication of the B1 level (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), HSE Scale 40-49 points) by improving students’ command of English for interpersonal and intercultural communication, enhancing receptive and productive skills related to general purposes, expanding vocabulary on a variety of topics and grammar structures in use.

Expected Learning Outcomes

To develop skills of using basic listening techniques (predicting, understanding main ideas and details)
To improve understanding of dialogues and polylogues on both familiar and unfamiliar topics
To develop understanding of lectures and learning context
To form understanding of text structure
To develop understanding of articles and other texts
To develop writing skills (essay)
To expand lexical and grammatical repertoire
To develop skills of using basic reading techniques of skimming and scanning (predicting, understanding main ideas, understanding details)
To be able to produce monologues (descriptive/argumentative)
To be able to participate in dialogues/discussions

Course Contents

Education
Business.
Engineering.
Trends.
Arts and Media.
Crime.

Assessment Elements

Written assessment
Written assessment includes: • 1 reading test, • 1 listening test, • 3 vocabulary and grammar tests • 1 essay.
Oral assessment
Oral assessment includes 1 monologue on a given topic and 1 discussion.
Independent work assessment
Independent work includes activities that students do at home, activities that students do in the classroom and online work. The elements of independent work cannot be retaken.
Final assessment
The final test includes one reading test and one written work (an essay). Time limit: 70 minutes. The release of examination papers: during the session. Grading formula: R* 0.4 + W*0.6 = 10.

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 4th module
0.3 * Final assessment + 0.25 * Independent work assessment + 0.2 * Oral assessment + 0.25 * Written assessment

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

New language leader: intermediate : coursebook, Cotton, D., 2015

Recommended Additional Bibliography

A GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH: Учебное пособие / Вертоградова Л.А., Манжелеевская Е.В., Милькевич Е.С. - Ростов-на-Дону:Издательство ЮФУ, 2016. - 160 с.: ISBN 978-5-9275-2004-6 - Режим доступа: http://znanium.com/catalog/product/990026
Booth, T. (2018). English for Everyone : English Vocabulary Builder (Vol. First American edition). New York, New York: DK. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1636939
English grammar : a resource book for students, Berry, R., 2012

Course Syllabus

English for General Communication Purposes. Intermediate Course - 2