English for General Communication Purposes. Upper-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

Instructors: Пинчукова Анна Евгеньевна, Рустамова Юлия Фазилевна, Джахангирова Вефа Сабухи кызы, Былова Полина Дмитриевна, Рустамова Юлия Фазилевна, Говорина Елена Ивановна, Подлужная Алина Георгиевна, Леонов Тимофей Витальевич, Суворова Ольга Николаевна, Данилова Елизавета Андреевна, Суворова Ольга Николаевна, Джахангирова Вефа Сабухи кызы, Былова Полина Дмитриевна, Данилова Елизавета Андреевна, Леонов Тимофей Витальевич, Кульков Даниил Андреевич, Yulia Mikhailovna Chanturidze, Arina I. Galeyeva, Nataliya Valentinovna Guskova, Alexander Vladimirovich Kalashnikov, Irina Alexandrovna Konovalova, Galina Levitskaya, Alla Vladimirovna Loseva, Evgeniya Lubennikova, Yana Makarova, Elena Yurievna Mostacheva, Ani Stepanyan, Dzhuna Dzhumberievna Tsurtsumia, Alisa Vikenteva, Sofia Vinogradova, Marina Anatolievna Volkova, Ekaterina Ilinichna Yudina, Dinara Yusipova, Maria Zamkovaya, Liliya Vasilevna Zhilina, Anastasia Zizina, Егорова Ирина Сергеевна, Мищук Анастасия Михайловна, Степанова Анна Борисовна, Калашникова Анастасия Андреевна, Мищук Анастасия Михайловна, Егорова Ирина Сергеевна

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 B2 level (HSE Scale 60-69).

Learning Objectives

This course helps students advance to the level of independent users of English for general communicative purposes and boost their language skills and competencies to the B2 level (HSE Scale 60-69) 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 form understanding of text structure
To develop understanding of lectures and learning context
To improve understanding of dialogues and polylogues on both familiar and unfamiliar topics
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

Literature and Film..
Architecture..
Globalization..
Art..
Psychology..
Cultures..

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: upper intermediate : coursebook, Cotton, D., 2019

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Berry, R. (2018). English Grammar : A Resource Book for Students (Vol. 2nd edition). [Place of publication not identified]: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1753147
Wyatt, R. (2012). Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS : Essential Words and Phrases to Help You Maximise Your IELTS Score (Vol. 3rd ed). London: A&C Black Business Information and Development. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=435132

Course Syllabus

English for General Communication Purposes. Upper-Intermediate Course - 2