Course: Avoiding First-Language Interference in English

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Course title Avoiding First-Language Interference in English
Course code KAJ/PACA
Organizational form of instruction Lesson
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Grzinčič Dagmar, Mgr.
Course content
Literature: Basic: Brians, Paul. 2013. Common Errors in English Usage. 3rd ed. Portland, OR: William, James & Co. Basic: Sparling, Thomas Donald, and Simona Kalová. 2021. English or Czenglish? Masarykova univerzita Recommended: Brüggemeier, Monika. 1984. Transfer and Interference in Language. John Benjamins Publishing

Learning activities and teaching methods
Seminár, E-learning, Students' self-study
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to focus on problematic areas caused by the influence of the mother tongue on the acquisition of the English language, especially in the area of ??vocabulary and grammar. Emphasis is also placed on correct sentence structure and word choice. Students are introduced to the most common false cognates, i.e. lexical units that have a certain orthographic/phonological overlap. An integral part of the course is also the acquisition of methods and techniques related to language interference with the aim of improving the overall language competence of students.
Students should be able to recognize typical mistakes that Czech learners of English make as a result of their mother language. At the same time, they will expand their vocabulary with correct equivalents and avoid so-called "false friends." All of this should ultimately lead to a more natural and accurate use of English. An integral part of the course will also be developing presentation skills and working with academic texts.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Test

Requirements on student: For 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 topic - attend all classes. 2 absences are allowed (must be excused by email) - achieve at least 70 % on the Final Test (2 attempts) Content: Class 1 Introduction Class 2 Theoretical Background Class 3 Commonly Confused Expressions Class 4 Grammar, Spelling and Style Class 5 Homonyms and Commonly Misspelled Words Class 6 Redundancies, American vs British English Class 7 Test
Recommended literature
  • Brians, Paul. 2013. Common Errors in English Usage. 3rd ed. Portland, OR: William, James & Co. .
  • Brüggemeier, Monika. Transfer and Interference in Language. .
  • Sparling, Thomas Donald, and Simona Kalová. English or Czenglish?. .


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