ENGLISH B2.2 (STRONG VANTAGE)
TPs 1 & 2
2022/2023 – First Semester
Ana Rita Martins (anaritasilva@e-letras.ulisboa.pt)
1. OBJECTIVES
This course aims at:
§ consolidating English structures;
§ improving the students’ ability to understand and interpret literary texts and appreciate their literary value;
§ enabling students to both communicate spontaneously and at ease with other fluent/proficient speakers of the language;
§ allowing students to develop clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects in most fields of interest as well as explain a viewpoint on a non-topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options;
§ developing students’ writing and argumentative skills.
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: Short stories, newspaper & magazine articles will be selected for in-class discussions and activities. A novel will also be read independently and discussed in class;
§ Academic Writing: Descriptive texts & ‘for and against’ essays;
§ Speaking: Expressing and defending viewpoints on previously selected topics in formal debates;
§ Listening: Talks, documentaries and short videos on relevant topics will be screened and discussed.
2. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING SYSTEM
Assessment will be continuous, and will consist of the following:
§ Grammar Test: 15%
§ Written Essay: 15%
§ Oxford-Style Debate: 25%
§ Written Test: 25%
§ Attendance & Participation (incl. mini-debate): 20%
Dates: TBA
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
§ B2.2 Coursebook (a collection of essays, articles and stories) will be made available in print and online (see Moodle).
§ Compulsory reading: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.
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:
o Cambridge International Dictionary of English
o Collins Cobuild Dictionary of English Language
o Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture
o Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English
o 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 School of Arts and Humanities 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.
§ 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 date 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 a 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.
4.6. 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.
4.7. Schedule & Rooms
§ TP1: Mondays 09:30-11:00 [Room C048 - TIC] | Fridays 09:30-11:00 [Room C245.A]
§ TP2: Mondays 12:30-14:00 [Room C008] | Fridays 12:30-14:00 [Room C248.B]