Course detail

English for Life

FEKT-LEFLAcad. year: 2014/2015

An English course with a focus on the acquirement and practice of advanced skills within practical verbal and written communication. The seminars include not only a wide variety of functional aspects of the English language, but also different forms of interaction, namely active discussion, presentation, interpretation of audiovisual materials, and production or analysis of texts. The topics are outlined in such a manner as to enable the students to use English more effectively in dealing with everyday social and professional situations.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The ability to orientate oneself in the cultural and professional maze of the current Euroamerican civilization.
The ability to use English in a wide range of everyday situations.
The knowledge of various writing techniques plus the rules of team work and business communication in English.
The ability to understand natural spoken English.

Successful student of this course will be able to:

- distinguish between main varieties of English
- analyze, apply, interpret and demonstrate the main cultural differences among EU regions and North America
- analyze, apply, interpret and demonstrate the main language differences among EU regions and North America
- to accustom him/herself with multicultural environment

Prerequisites

Knowledge and skills on B1 CEFR level are required prior enterring the course. For more detailed specifications please refer to Common European Framework of Refference for Languages (CEFR)

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods include homework and active study of e-learning.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

40% semester test based on knowledge and skills acquiered during home study
60% exam - 30% oral part
30% listening

Course curriculum

1. Introduction
2. Geographies of North America and Europe
3. Political systems of Anglophone countries and their relations. Commonwealth
4. Technical marvels. CN Towers, Hoover Dam etc.
5. Travelling. Main differences in travelling customs around the world. The main obstacles, common situations, Airport, Hotel, Local transport, etc.
6. Eating habits. Restaurants
7. Main differences between British, American and Canadian English
8. Political correctness
9. Entertainment, sports, small talk
10. Regionalization. Region: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The British and Brutishness. Splendid isolation. Cultural specifics. UK - united and divided. British English, Colonial heritage
11. Regionalization. Region: Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland and Britain - love hatred relationship. Irish nationalist movement. The issue of Northern Ireland. Irish English
12. Regionalization. Region: The Mediterranean. Cultural specifics of Southern Europe. The cradle of European civilization VS Economic threat to the EU. Position of English in the region.
13. Semester Test

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The development of knowledge and skills related to both general and professional use of English.
Communicating an image of cultural elements supporting the current Euroamerican civilization.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

The Heinemann English Wordbuilder. Praha: SPN, 1991

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme EEKR-ML Master's

    branch ML-TIT , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-MEL , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-MEL , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EEN , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EEN , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EVM , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EVM , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-TIT , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-KAM , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-KAM , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-BEI , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-BEI , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-SVE , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-SVE , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EST , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general
    branch ML-EST , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective general

  • Programme EEKR-CZV lifelong learning

    branch EE-FLE , 1 year of study, winter semester, elective general