This course aims at:

§  consolidating English structures;

§  improving the students’ ability to understand and discuss concrete and abstract texts;

§   enabling students to both communicate spontaneously and at ease with other fluent/ proficient speakers of the language;

§   Expressing opinions clearly and with detail on a wide variety of subjects;

§   Increasing the students’ perception on the way the English language is used in debate: expressing the advantages and inconveniences of the various possibilities.

1.1. These aims will be achieved by means of specific written and oral activities, which will serve as the basis for continuous assessment. These activities will include:

§  Reading (newspaper/ magazine articles, short stories and a novel);

§  Writing (essays);

§  Speaking (research projects and participation in debates);

§  Listening and watching (documentaries, interviews and films).

2. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING SYSTEM

Assessment will be continuous, and will consist of the following:

In-class essay:                                      20%

Written test:                                       30%

Research project:                                 20%

Assignment on the novel:                       15%

Attendance & Participation:                   15%             

2.1. Date for the In-class Essay:                        October 24

2.2. Date for the Written Test:                        December 12

2.3. Dates for the presentation of research projects:

Research Project 1:   Oct. 17 & 21                    

Research Project 2:   Nov. 21 & 25                    

All:                        Dec. 16                                              

NB:

§ You must have chosen one of the dates to present your research project and signed up by

§  Before you deliver your RP in class, you must submit a proposal. See ‘Instructions for research project’.

§  If you do not come to class on the day you are meant to do your written Test or present your research project, you will get 0.

3. Assignment on novel:             

The assignment on the novel will consist of the following:

§  One abstract of between 150 and 200 words (see ‘Writing an abstract’ section in ‘Instructions for research project’) plus a bibliography;

§  A ten-minute presentation during which the speaker answers one of the existing questions (see Novel Discussion Questions).

§  Dates: Dec. 5 & 9

 NB:

§  The abstract can be submitted before the presentation or at the same time (mind that if you submit the abstract and the video simultaneously you will not be given feedback on the first)

4. BIBLIOGRAPHY

§  The course book will be made available in print (upon request) and online.

§  Compulsory reading: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

 The novel will be read outside the classroom and will be discussed in class on the stipulated date (see calendar). There is a research project on the novel worth 15% of the final mark.

 Some Internet sites where books may be purchased: www.bookdepository.co.uk www.amazon.co.uk www.wook.pt

§  Dictionaries: students are expected to have at least one of the following dictionaries:

Cambridge International Dictionary of English

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of English Language

Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English

The New Penguin English Dictionary

4. CLASSROOM POLICIES

4.1. Plagiarism

§  Plagiarism is the act of using somebody else’s ideas and work as your own in either written or oral work and constitutes a very serious academic offence. Work found to be plagiarised will immediately get zero.

§  Make sure you are well acquainted with the FLUL Assessment Regulations with regards to fraud and plagiarism.

4.2. Attendance and Punctuality

§  As stated in the Faculty of Letters Assessment Regulations published on the FLUL website, students are required to comply with 100% attendance. Absence must be justified up to 10 days after a class has been missed.

o   If you miss a class, make sure you refer to the Course Calendar or get in touch with one of your classmates to find out what preparation is required for the next class. You can also access the class summaries online (in Portal Académico);

§  Classes start five minutes after the hour. Your presence and arrival on time is essential and will be reflected on your final mark — being late not only disturbs class but is also a sign of disrespect for your classmates and your teacher.

§  Students who are absent on the set test dates will not get a chance to sit the test on another date. Arrangement of alternative test dates is subject to the student’s submission of a medical certificate.

4.3. Mobile phones

§  Please turn off your mobile phone at the beginning of every class and keep it away from your desk or screen.

§  If you are seen using a mobile phone during an in-house Test, your Test will be taken away and will be graded as zero.

4.4. Participation

§  Active participation in both class and group discussions is not only reflected in your final mark but it also ensures you develop fluency and confidence.

§  This is an English language course. Do not speak Portuguese in class with either your classmates or your teacher.

4.5. Special dispensations

§  The following are called ‘special dispensations’ and cover medical problems, personal or medical problems arising from disability, extreme personal and family problems, force majeure and, in the case of part-time students only, work-related problems;

a.     A student should contact me at the earliest opportunity if they cannot meet the deadline and ask for permission for late submission in advance of the deadline. The student’s request should be accompanied or followed by medical evidence or other documentation where appropriate

b.    I will then inform you of whether you can hand in work after the deadline.

 4.6. Schedule & Rooms