Introduction to B2.1
14 Fevereiro 2017, 10:00 • Hilda Alexandra Prazeres Eusebio
Teaching staff: Hilda Alexandra Eusébio
Email: hilda.eusebio@campus.ul.pt
Learning Objectives:
The aim of this B2.1 English class is to develop the students’ reading, writing and oral expression skills in several scenarios. Thus, the objectives and competencies to be acquired are: understand extended speech and complex factual or literary texts; speak fluently and effectively; and write clear, well-structured texts. In order to achieve these objectives we will attempt to give you the necessary confidence to express your views and improve fluency. Another focus will be a more detailed look at some of the fundamental basics of the language, i.e. grammar, in order to obtain more accuracy. Finally, there will be a particular emphasis on developing your reading (interpreting and discussing) and writing skills along with vocabulary acquisition.
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation;
interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party;
produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Grading policy and course requirements:
In addition to lessons and tests, students will have:
- 2 homework assignments to be done in pairs;
- 2 in-class group assignments to be prepared and presented in class;
- 1 major writing project to be carried out individually
GRADE PERCENTAGES
Attendance and class participation – 5%
Completed Homework (2 assignments written in pairs) – 10%
Midterm – 15% (5% listening comprehension; 10% written exam)
Writing project (1 major writing assignment written individually) – 20%
Oral presentation – 20%
End of Term Test – 30% (5% listening comprehension; 25% written exam: grammar, comprehension, composition.)
Should you FAIL the course, you can sit the Final Exam (Época Especial) which will be in July 2017.
HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENTS
Homework/assignments must be EMAILED to me on the day that they’re due. You have until midnight on the day of the deadline – not emailing me the assignment on the day of the deadline will mean that your assignment will be marked as late and will lose 10% each day that it is late.
Homework assignments that DO NOT HAVE THE FOLLOWING ON THE FRONT PAGE WILL LOSE 1 MARK:
Student’s name;
Student’s class (turma).
Homework documents must be saved as follows:
your descriptive homework assignment should be saved as: m. silva + j. mendes – descriptive
your narrative homework assignment should be saved as: m. silva + j. mendes – narrative
your major writing assignment should be saved as: ana silva – major project
Reasons for lateness (other than illness or Worker Student Status) will not be accepted.
If you are ill, you must email me at the first available opportunity to let me know in advance and to request an extension. Extensions will only be granted in the event that a doctor’s note can be provided. Should this doctor’s note be unavailable for any reason, the extension will be cancelled and the work will be marked as ‘Late’.
Resources:
You will need:
Hilda Eusébio’s B2.1 English Course Book available in the Green Photocopy Room (Reprografia Verde);
Additional material (grammar exercises + answers) will be provided as needed and archived in the Green Photocopy Room (Reprografia Verde) in File 12 (Pasta 12);
www.englishpage.com is an excellent website to learn and practice English grammar for free.
A novel – to be confirmed.
Students are to check their emails regularly and come to class prepared.
Important Dates:
6/4/2017: MIDTERM (Listening)
11/4/2017: MIDTERM (Written)
9/5/2017: WRITING PROJECT DUE
23/5/2017: LISTENING COMPREHENSION TEST
1/6/2017: FINAL TEST
05/06/2017 to 24/06/2017: STUDENT PRESENTATIONS (oral exams)