Course: Language Skills 1

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Course title Language Skills 1
Course code KAJ/JD1BE
Organizational form of instruction Lesson
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Khodaverdi Neda, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Marková Michaela, Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Karásková Nicola, Mgr. M.A.
  • Muffett Christopher, Mgr. M.A.
  • Grzinčič Dagmar, Mgr.
  • Tymbay Alexey, Mgr. CSc.
  • Čanecký Pavel, Mgr.
  • Míča Slavomír, Mgr. Bc. Ph.D.
Course content
Full-time studies: Practical language: Week 1: Introduction to the course. Unit 1. Week 2: Unit 1 Week 3: Unit 1 Week 4: Unit 2 Week 5: Unit 2 Week 6: Unit 3 Week 7: Unit 3 Week 8: Unit 4 Week 9: Unit 4 Week 10: Unit 5 Week 11: Unit 5 Week 12: Unit 5, consolidation Week 13: FINAL TEST 1 Week 14: FINAL TEST 2 (retake) Note: Topic layout may be subject to minor adjustments Study Skills: Topics covered in Study Skills: The means to improve language and study skills, appropriate methods of work to achieve set study goals, critical reading, effective note taking. This component is taught once in a fortnight in two 45minute lessons. Part-time studies: While the content of the course corresponds to that of full-time studies, the exact topic layout might be subject to adjustment by individual teaching faculty and will be announced in class. Topics: Class 1 Introduction to the Study Skills course Class 2 What kind of learner are you?; Learning styles; Reading skills 1 Class 3 Motivation and setting goals; Reading skills 2 Class 4 Developing self-confidence and dealing with anxiety; Taking risks; Reading skills 3 Class 5 Using group strategies; Reading skills 4 Class 6 Strategies for taking tests; Reading skills 5; Note-taking 1 Class 7 Study Smarter Not Harder; Reading skills 6; Note-taking 2 The extent of the face-to-face instruction: 13 lessons/semester

Learning activities and teaching methods
Practicum, E-learning, Students' self-study
  • Class attendance - 42 hours per semester
  • Class attendance - 13 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 40 hours per semester
  • Home preparation for classes - 60 hours per semester
  • Preparation for credit - 38 hours per semester
  • Preparation for credit - 47 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the Practical language component is to introduce topics directly related to students' own experience and, through discussions and a variety of other methodologies, increase conversational fluency and listening skills. The course also focuses on building students' vocabulary, basic reading skills, i.e. skimming, scanning, detailed reading, and on consolidation of the students' knowledge of the English grammatical system they learned at secondary schools. The core textbook is FCE Gold B2 First. The aim of the Study Skills component is to help students understand the studies at the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education so that they realize the importance of their active participation in the process of learning. Students will learn strategies leading to the improvement of language competences and suitable methods and techniques of managing and planning their own studies. The course also puts emphasis on the development of critical reading which will help students to understand, analyse, reproduce and evaluate different types of texts.
Consolidated langiage competence of B2 threshold level, more autonomous approach to studies, effective work with texts.
Prerequisites
English of at least B1 level.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam, Written assignment, Test

Requirements on students: Both parts of the subject require students to enrol in the course on Moodle as information and additional exercises will be available through the courses there. Assessment of Practical language will be based on at least one of the two final written tests. To succeed in the tests, students must achieve at least 70% of points. To be able to retake a test, students must achieve at least 50% of points in the final test 1. JD1: Study Skills 2023/2024 Assessment of Study Skills will be based on active in-class participation, fulfilment of assignments on time and on the results from the final Study Skills written test. Students will be awarded a credit if they successfully pass both parts of the subject, i.e. when they achieve at least 70% from the Practical language part written test, and at least 70% from Study skills written test. Full-time students are allowed two absences from each of the parts of the subject (if possible, planned absences should be announced in advance). Note: Focus in improving student learning requires individual approach, which lies within the competence of each pedagogue. It is expected to follow the course rules that might slightly differ from one another and regulated at the Department Level to provide support of teaching/learning process adequately resourced and quality assured. Online mode: - Presence in online Google Meet sessions (two absences are allowed- email your teacher in advance if you want to be absent) - Active participation in online Google Meet sessions - Following Moodle session by session For the successful completion of the Study Skills part, students must: - enrol in the corresponding Study Skills e-learning course - view and study regularly the material provided in the e-learning course - actively participate in class activities throughout the entire semester - create and give a brief PowerPoint presentation on an assigned topi - attend all classes. Only 1 absence is allowed (must be excused by email) - achieve the class average of 70 % on the Mid-term test and the Final Colloquium
Recommended literature
  • Brook-Hart, Guy, and Simon Haines. Complete Advanced Student's Book with Answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
  • Cortrell, S. Critical Thinking Skills. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
  • Greenall, Simon, and Michael Swan. Effective Reading. Reading Skills for Advanced Students. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989.
  • Harrison, Richard. Headway Academic Skills. Oxford: Oxford Univerzity Press, 2011.
  • Lewis, Marilyn, and Hayo Reinder. Study Skills for Speakers of English as a Second Language. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
  • McCarthy, Michael, and Felicity O'Dell. English Vocabulary in Use - Upper-intermediate with answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017.
  • Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
  • Roger, Louis. Reading skills. Peaslake: Delta Publishing, 2011.
  • Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press, 2016.
  • Wallace, Michael. Study Skills in English. Cambridge University Press, 1989.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester