Level B2 of the CEFR
Topics relating to the students' future professional life, current affairs. The topics covered are flexible because discussions are based on articles posted on Moodle, which can be changed to keep the course up-to-date. Students can choose topics to cover.
The aim of this course is to develop communication skills (particularly speaking skills) and to reach level C1 of the CEFR in speaking and writing.
Reading:
- be able to read with ease a variety of general and professional texts
Listening:
- be able to understand lectures, debates and interviews
Speaking:
- be able to speak about general subjects and own subject speciality, and
- to participate in debates and discussions.
Writing:
- be able to write a book review;
- be able to express an opinion on current topics and participate in an online forum.
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
- Work done in class and independently, including participation in the forum, writing a book review, presentation in class, participation in class (50%)
- Oral exam at the end of the quadrimester (25%). This consists of a discussion between teacher and student based on the novel chosen by the student, the subject of their class presentation and general topics.
- Written exam at the end of the quadrimester (25%) on the vocabulary of the texts studied and an essay of 350-400 words on one of the topics discussed in class.
The course is highly interactive with a group size of 15-20 students. Lessons consist of discussions, role plays and debates. Each student takes charge of a part of a lesson, individually or with a partner and presents and leads a discussion on a subject of his/her choice.
Each lesson consists of a short presentation and discussion led by one or two students on a topic of their choice, then a discussion of an article prepared before the class. This part includes study of vocabulary, expressions and collocations encountered in the article and in the discussions.
Topics have included: free speech, modern etiquette, the role of universities, modern technology, cloning, gay marriage, food shortages, conspiracy theories
Articles to prepare before each lesson available online on the course Moodle site.
