Modules

Prerequisites

Contents

Speaking: preparing for a discussion individually and collaboratively; techniques for active listening; contributing to a seminar discussion; giving a poster presentation and asking critical questions. Writing: writing a coherent essay introduction; presenting arguments and incorporating citation into discursive essays; writing a body paragraph; learning to use coherence and cohesion; writing and evaluating a conclusion; understanding an essay question and writing a basic essay plan. Reading: identifying genre, audience, purpose and perspective in texts; understanding an argument and recognizing a writer’s stance; identifying features and structure of abstracts; identifying the main points in texts and identifying cohesive words to confirm themes. Listening: using the introduction and navigational language to understand a lecture; topic signposting in a lecture; practice listening critically and evaluating an argument; listening to various aspects of a poster presentation Vocabulary: recognizing word forms and their uses; choosing prepositions in noun phrases; learning collocations; understanding how synonyms alter meaning; using antonyms to avoid negatives.

Learning outcomes

In this module participants will learn various aspects of academic English: - reading and understanding technical texts - writing essays - participating in discussions in the seminar - giving presentations - feedback techniques. The module is designed to help develop the skills needed to communicate and participate in an academic setting, while also preparing participants for the use of English in the business world. By the end of the course participants should be able to communicate effectively in a variety of situations while also gaining knowledge on a wide range of topics.

Assessment

Continuously graded tasks (10% of the final grade), 4 unit tests, 45 minutes each (30% of the final grade), 1 final test, 60 minutes (60% of the final grade) The tests will be carried out online.

Remarks

This module especially aims at students in all degree programs, who study in English or aspire a semester abroad, and exchange students with an English language competence at level CEFR B1+. It is not suited for students with a lower English language competence. Additional course enrolment at the Language Centre is obligatory (https://www.b-tu.de/sprachen). No more than 25 students can be accepted at each language course group. The courses will be held online.