Course description
 

This one-semester course programme is focussed on the development of language skills, critical thinking and learning strategies required for academic success. The first two seminar weeks involve a detailed review and practice of key aspects of English grammar that are necessary for the rest of the course.

During the semester, particular attention will be paid to listening and speaking skills, supported by extensive use of writing activities and supplemented by the introduction of relevant grammar themes.

The course will include:

• Explicit instruction and practice of note-taking, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation to develop language proficiency and build academic skills.
• Use of PowerPoint slide shows of lectures and presentations to enhance listening activities and develop presentation skills.
• A wide variety of exam-style tasks reflecting a range of international exams including TOEFL, IELTS and Cambridge.

The course is conducted exclusively in English and you are required to have completed a course at Basismodul 2 level. This is a 6 Credit Point course.

Assessment
Assessment is in the form of a Portfolio. There are 4 parts to this assessment:
Listening Exam (30%)
Essay Exam (30%)
Individual Presentation (Theme: related to the course book  (30%)
Active Participation (10%)

This one semester course is focussed on both Reading and Speaking. In this course, students will read for different purposes: to widen their vocabulary in a variety of fields and topics; to understand text structures (and the differences between German and English academic texts); to quickly gain an overview on a text’s topic; to improve writing skills.

Each week, students are required to read a set text and to discuss this text in the following course session. We will practice summarising, criticising, questioning and arguing in these discussions along with the use of academic (and non-academic) language.

The assessment is a continuous assessment including the preparation and moderation of one class discussion, a response paper to one of the readings, classroom exercises and two vocabulary tests.

Course material will be provided through StudIP.

This course is conducted exclusively in English and you are required to have completed a course at level 3 or have taken the placement test. This is a 6 Credit Point course.

This course is for students wishing to both refresh and enhance their understanding of key English grammatical concepts. Chosen topics will include the present, past and future tenses, use of the continuous/progressive forms, modal verbs, passive and active voice, the gerund and infinitive, a review of articles, and the conditional tenses.

These topics will be practiced through regular practice of forms and meanings, class activities, discussions, and written assignments. By the end of this course, students should have a firmer grasp of English grammar and the ability to apply it in both everyday situations and university contexts. Students will be graded via a series of tests throughout the course.

The course is conducted exclusively in English and you are required to have completed a course at level 3. This is a 6 Credit Point course.

This course is an introduction to academic writing in English. We will focus on basics such as sentence and paragraph structure, formality, audience, using evidence to support your arguments, cohesive language, as well as writing for different purposes such as summaries, processes, or arguing a point. Students will write a portfolio of several small assignments, some of which will be graded. These include, for example, a short narrative biographical text, writing in formal and informal styles, a summary of an academic source, and a text incorporating evidence and sources. These will culminate in a short, final essay.

Students will have ample opportunity to discuss their written work and ask about difficulties, present their ideas and topics, and should expect to share written material with classmates for peer-review, alongside instructor feedback. Relevant grammar topics will also be covered throughout the course.

The course is conducted exclusively in English and you are required to have completed a course at level 3. This is a 6 Credit Point course.

For many students, writing is fundamental to succeeding in their studies, yet writing is one of the least practiced language skills, surrounded by much confusion and uncertainty. Term papers or reports written in English are even more challenging, due both to the foreign language and different text conventions of English. Luckily, writing is a skill that anyone can learn, and in this course these skills will be demystified and developed in an English academic context.

Specifically, we will review the writing process in order to structure, plan and draft your own academic paper. This includes proper use of paragraphs, writing for different functions, writing introductions and conclusions, using cohesive language, writing clearly and concisely, differences between humanities and STEM writing, plus selecting appropriate sources and making accurate citations. Just as importantly, we will also practice building up your academic vocabulary and tone. Finally, certain advanced key grammar topics necessary for academic writing will be reviewed and applied in your texts.

Learning to write is impossible without reading. Thus, in this course you will also practice reflective and critical reading of other’s texts to develop efficient reading strategies, and to see how well-written texts are structured and written. Peer-review is a natural part of this, and students should expect to occasionally share their own written material with classmates. The course grade is based on a portfolio of graded writing assignments, including a researched topic proposal, a draft introduction, annotated bibliography. Other smaller, ungraded writing assignments will also be part of the course. These culminate in a final short research paper or essay, the topic of which will be assigned to students.

The course is conducted exclusively in English and you are required to have completed a course at level 4. This is a 6 Credit Point course.

English For University Studies - Comprehensive Language Practice (B2/C1)

This Comprehensive Language Practice course is for students wishing to further improve their competency in the English language. It uses a broadly communicative methodology and a text and task-based approach including comprehensive work on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and integrated skills, where strong emphasis is placed on reading, writing and study skills as well as speaking and listening.

At the beginning of the course a review of participants’ competencies will ensure the course content followed is strategically aimed at reinforcing and improving each student’s level of English.

It includes:

- a review and development of key grammar structures
- an introduction of vocabulary required for further studies
- a use of authentic texts and material
- a variety of realistic role playing scenarios


Assessment is through continuous assessment in the form of a Portfolio:

Four pieces of work are assessed:
Listening skills
Writing skills
Presentation skills
Active participation