1. Aims

This C1.1 course has just one aim: for the student to learn how to express their opinion in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Fluency in speech and writing is essential for this and will be developed over the course of the semester. To be clear, students will be expressing their opinions on current affairs through writing (editorials) and speaking (debates).  

2. Course Content and Resources

Although we will not be dealing with grammatical problems during class, you will be tested on grammar and English Language use.  You are expected to study grammar and English use at home.  Naturally, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me to book a tutorial. 

3. Success Criteria

Students will write and speak in a manner that is appropriate for C1.1 English (i.e. really good).  This means using advanced English and communicating in a clear, concise, and coherent voice.  The Three Cs must be adopted in both written and spoken English. 

What does ‘Advanced English’ mean?

Consistent correct use of Verb Tenses	Advanced Vocabulary
Pronunciation (when speaking)	Appropriate Word Order
No Missing or Extraneous Words	Correct use of Articles

 What does Clear, Concise, and Coherent communication look and sound like?

Clear communication means expressing ideas in a straightforward manner that is easy to understand.  Concise communication is conveying messages using the fewest words necessary – for this you need a very advanced vocabulary.  Coherent communication is when ideas flow logically and are connected from one sentence/paragraph/idea to the next. 

Students will also need to dominate the persuasive techniques and use a minimum of 6 separate techniques in both their written (editorial) and spoken (debate) exams. 

4. Resources

All necessary resources – such as this course book, grammar workbooks, etc. – will be uploaded onto the Google drive that we, as a class, will share or onto the online summaries (videos only). 

5. Online Resources

·         Editorials

·         www.theguardian.com

·         https://www.nytimes.com/section/opinion

·         https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/editorials

·         https://edition.cnn.com/opinions

 

·         English Language Learning

·         Practice tests for CAE Reading and Use of English (Cambridge English: Advanced) (flo-joe.co.uk)

 

5. Grading Policy and Requirements

Attendance and class participation – 10%

Grammar/English Language Use Test – 20%

Oral Exams – 30% – Oxford Union-style Debate

Written Exam – 40% – Editorial

Should you FAIL the course, you can sit the Final Exam (Época Especial) which will be in June 2026. This exam will consist of writing one editorial only.  However, instead of having two classes to carry out the exam, you will only have the allocated exam time to carry it out.  There is no oral examination.

 OPTIONAL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS and TUTORIALS 

Students will have one to two OPTIONAL homework assignments (i.e. 1-2 editorials) which, upon completion, they must email me. All students are entitled to tutorials for grammar (before test) and for their optional homework assignments (after they receive their work marked).  

Homework can be no longer than 850 words.  If it is, I won’t read it – at all.

No student can have more than three one-on-one tutorials in total.   

All tutorials will be online via zoom.   Just email me to let me know when you’re available and we’ll find a suitable time.

Homework assignments must have the following on the front page at the top like a real editorial:

·         Student’s name

·         The date

·         Photo (optional).

Homework documents must be saved (in Word, NOT PDF) as follows:

·         Example:

§  ana silva – editorial

6. Important Dates

The dates highlighted in peach and orange in the course calendar are lessons that students cannot miss.  Worker students must ask for time off from work in advance to ensure that they can be present on these dates. 

Note to worker students: you do not need to come to all of the lessons allocated to the oral presentations; you just need to come on the date of your presentation.  Students will email me their choice of date, and these will be granted on a first-come-first-serve basis.