Course detail

General English I

FSI-GEN1Acad. year: 2025/2026

The course focuses on teaching general English as a foreign language at B1 level with an emphasis on revision and consolidation.

Language of instruction

English

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Foreign Languages (ÚJ)

Entry knowledge

The course is designed for students who have acquired English at least at an A2+ (Pre-Intermediate) level and for students who have achieved a higher level in their previous studies but are unable to use it actively.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Students are required to take a credit test at the end of the semester to demonstrate their ability to use the vocabulary and grammar covered during the semester. A maximum of 40 points can be achieved in the test and a minimum of 24 points is required for the credit to be awarded. The credit also reflects active participation in the seminars and completion of optional activities, which may be worth up to 4 points. In case of failure, there is a possibility for the student to resit the test once.

 

Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is systematically checked by the teacher. Students are allowed to miss two language seminars. In well-founded cases, extra absences can be made up for after consulting the situation with the teacher.

Aims

The aim of the course is to equip students for real-life tasks and everyday communication as well as preparing them for Technical English courses in the second year of studies. It is intended to consolidate the knowledge obtained at secondary school and practise all four language skills.


Students will consolidate general vocabulary and grammar structures for everyday communication at B1 level. A student who successfully completes the GEN1 course understands the main ideas of comprehensible input on topics that he/she regularly encounters in everyday situations, in the workplace, while studying or visiting places where English is used as the main language of communication. They can engage in conversation, describe facts, events and goals, and can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

CLARE, Antonia, J. J. WILSON a Stephanie DIMOND-BAYIR. Speakout: intermediate. 2nd edition. Harlow: Pearson Education, [2015]. ISBN 978-1-292-11594-8.

Recommended reading

MURPHY, Raymond. English grammar in use: a self-study reference and practice book for intermediate learners of English : with answers. Fifth edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019. ISBN 978-1-108-45765-1. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-ENE-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-FIN-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-KSI-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-MAI-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-MET-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-PDS-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-PRP-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
  • Programme B-STI-A Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme B-ZSI-P Bachelor's

    specialization STI , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization MTI , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme B-VKP-P Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

  • Programme B-STR-P Bachelor's

    specialization AIŘ , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization KSB , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization SSZ , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory
    specialization STG , 1 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Introduction. U1: Learning languages. Question forms.
  2. U1: Talking about important life events. Relationships. Common stereotypes. Review of verb tenses.
  3. U1: Interview advice. Talking about yourself in an interview.
  4. U2: Facts or fiction. Types of story. Present perfect and past simple.
  5. U2: Conspiracy theories. Narrative tenses.
  6. U2: Telling a story. Say/tell.
  7. U3: Planning and procrastination. Talking about future plans.
  8. U3: Future inventions. Making future predictions. Future time markers.
  9. U3: Idioms. Dealing with misunderstandings.
  10. U4: Jobs. Personal qualities. Must/have to/should (obligation).
  11. U4: Dream job. Extreme adjectives. Confusing words.
  12. U4: Business vocabulary. Reaching agreement and managing a discussion.
  13. Credit test.

Computer-assisted exercise

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Computer assisted language learning is an integral part of the course GEN1 and covers the topics and areas dealt with in the main part of the course. The use of authentic videos helps students to further practise and develop their language skills.