Tuesday, 15h-16h30 (Room C217-C)

Students can review materials and ask questions related to course content and assignments.

B2.2 (Strong Vantage) level

2023/2024

Tania Gregg 

Email address: silvatania@edu.ulisboa.pt

AIMS

In line with the CEFR descriptors, students of B2.2 level are expected to understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. They should be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. They should also be able to 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.

This B2.2 course unit will focus more specifically on:

·      Developing students' discursive written and oral skills through the in-depth analysis and discussion of a variety of written and oral text genres (e.g., short stories, films, newspaper articles on current affairs);

·      Presentation skills - preparing a presentation in a university context;

·      Revising complex and problematic grammatical structures. 

More specifically, this course unit seeks to encourage students to express their viewpoint in order to develop criticality and discursive language. Particular emphasis will be placed on register, the organisation of arguments and consolidating the more complex grammatical structures.  

 STUDY MATERIALS

All the course materials will be uploaded onto Moodle. The teacher will inform the students of the material required for each class as the course progresses.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(Optional)

Swan, Michael. 2005. Practical English Usage. 3rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

The Longman Dictionary Of Contemporary English For Advanced Learners. 2009. 5th edition. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

The Oxford Phrasal Verbs Dictionary for Learners of English. 2006. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

·       7 and 9 November - two-part written test: 35%

.       28 and 30 November- two-part written test: 35%

.       5, 7, 12 December - individual oral presentation: 20%

        Attendance - 5%

REQUIREMENTS

Having successfully completed English Vantage (B2.1) or having been placed in English Strong Vantage (B2.2) as a result of a placement test done at the beginning of the academic year.

* PLEASE NOTE

• Students must be present for ALL the elements of evaluation in order to pass the course;
• Worker-students may opt for continuous assessment (in which case they will have to comply with all the assessment criteria set for regular students) OR sit the Época Especial de Avaliação examination. The examination will focus on the contents of the syllabus adopted for this B2.2 level;

·      A weekly tutorial session will be available via Zoom- Wednesday 1-2pm