English language I

The course is designed to develop the English language skills of theological students. The challenge is to create situations in which students consolidate their knowledge, become more fluent in speaking and improve everything that is related to comprehension. The grammar areas cover the needs of the students. At this level grammar is needed to fill the gaps in their knowledge and deepen their understanding. The other purpose is to develop fluency in speaking. This is linked to the topics, lexis and grammar so as to include opportunities for students to turn input into output.

Competences

Specific competences

By the end of the course students should be able to develop the ability of understanding an oral or written message, the ability of speaking, and an interest in the study of the language.

Course structure

  1. Introductory class, presenting objectives and requirements

    Testing (diagnostic test) in order to evaluate the knowledge of the students.

    Reading:

    • Alexander, L. G.: Longman English Grammar
    • Greenbaum, Sidney, Quirk, Randolph: A Student’s Grammar of the English Grammar
    • Leech, Geoffrey: Meaning and the English Verb
    • Quirk, Randolph, Greenbaum, Sidney: A University Grammar of English
    • Swan, Michael: Practical English Usage
    • Thomson, A. J., Martinet, A. V.: A Practical English Grammar Exercises 1-2
    • Vince, Michael: First Certificate Language Practice
    • Vince, Michael: Intermediate Language Practice
    • Wellmann, Guy: The Heinemann ELT English Wordbuilder
    • Zdrenghea, M., Greere, A.: A Practical English Grammar
  2. Topic: Friends - vocabulary related to interpersonal relationships (1)

    Ways of expressing present tense; making suggestions, asking for information and permission, suggesting.

  3. Topic: Friends - vocabulary related to interpersonal relationships (2)

    Ways of expressing present tense; making suggestions, asking for information and permission, suggesting.

  4. Topic: Relax – vocabulary related to personal life, everyday activities (1)

    Ways of expressing present tense; adverbs of frequency, expressing an opinion, asking for an opinion, expressing emotions.

  5. Topic: Relax – vocabulary related to personal life, everyday activities (2)

    Ways of expressing present tense; adverbs of frequency, expressing an opinion, asking for an opinion, expressing emotions.

  6. Dating - vocabulary related to human relationships (1)

    Ways of expressing past tense; asking and offering personal information, describing people; agreeing and disagreeing.

  7. Dating - vocabulary related to human relationships (2)

    Ways of expressing past tense; asking and offering personal information, describing people; agreeing and disagreeing.

  8. Topic: Adrenalin - vocabulary related to sports (1)

    Gradable and non-gradable adjectives; ways of expressing past; talking about emotions in different situations and exciting experiences; giving advice in different situations.

  9. Topic: Adrenalin - vocabulary related to sports (2)

    Gradable and non-gradable adjectives; ways of expressing past; talking about emotions in different situations and exciting experiences; giving advice in different situations.

  10. Party – vocabulary related to festivals and parties (1)

    Ways of expressing future forms; learning the use of phrasal forms; making invitations, accepting and refusing; writing letters of thanks and apologies.

  11. Party – vocabulary related to festivals and parties (2)

    Ways of expressing future forms; learning the use of phrasal forms; making invitations, accepting and refusing; writing letters of thanks and apologies.

  12. Childhood – vocabulary related to childhood memories (1)

    Defining relative clauses; writing letters of advice; the role of ‘white-lies’ in people’s lives; practicing conversations by describing objects.

  13. Childhood – vocabulary related to childhood memories (2)

    Defining relative clauses; writing letters of advice; the role of ‘white-lies’ in people’s lives; practicing conversations by describing objects.

  14. Revision and term assessment

Total estimated time

Classroom study

  • 2 hours/week (Course: 0 | Seminar: 2 | Practice: 0)
  • 28 hours/semester (Course: 0 | Seminar: 28 | Practice: 0)

Individual study

  • Time for studying course notes and bibliography: 20 hours/semester.
  • Time for further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field: 5 hours/semester.
  • Time for preparing essays, papers, or documentation: 20 hours/semester.
  • Time for personal tutoring: 2 hours/semester.
  • Total individual study: 47 hours/semester.
  • Total estimated time: 75 hours/semester.

Examination

Formative evaluation by classroom observation to check both individual and global progress; workbook exercises; skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking exercises; photocopiable exercises. Accumulative evaluation by review and test CD. Self-evaluation: students are encouraged to check their work by completing the Checklist for the studied units where they must give a score to each one of the competences seen in the units. The final grade consists of: the score of a quiz test, to be taken at the end of the semester (50%), a presentation on the studied topics (20%), class attendance and participation (20%), signing in for the class and taking part at the exam (10%).