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English for special purposes

People

Dawson C.

Course director

Description

Aims
The course is designed to introduce students with at least a B2 level of English to a range of practical and professional applications of language, with a special emphasis on areas such as journalism and marketing. The objective is to start to use English effectively as a tool of international communication in complex and challenging contexts.
During the course students take part in practical language projects including media monitoring, participating in social forums, approaching and analysing academic texts, report writing and giving presentations. A range of possibilities is provided for making practical use of English to engage in and take control of student-driven creative endeavours. Class time is also devoted to the systematic building of practical skills at a B2+ level such as putting a persuasive argument, understanding rapid speech in natural conversation, or writing a detailed report, as well as some more advanced language study, including the construction and deciphering of complex sentences, correct collocation, and the idiomatic use of phrasal verbs and other such structures.

Coursework and evaluation
80% of the exam grade is awarded for coursework (30% as visible in contributions uploaded on the iCorsi platform and 50% for work of the student’s choice presented in the final oral exam). The coursework is graded on the basis of a points system, which includes scores for project work, written assignments, presentations, participation in electronic discussions and activities that take place in class.
The final 20% of the exam consists of an oral interview in which students will demonstrate their ability to use English flexibly to talk about the wider implications of the projects they have undertaken during the course.

Exemption
All students are required to take this course.

Course Materials
An Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Oxford, Longman, Macmillan or Cambridge)

Other materials will be provided by the instructor.

Education