Page 9 - 2 topic Academic English 01-15.cdr

OUTLINE

3.1 Course Summary

This is a unique opportunity for all students to build English language skills for communication
purposes and increase confidence in using English. Aims are also to develop learner independence
and self-study skills in order to encourage individuals to continue studying and learning English.

The English Course is based on topics for the students to talk about, read about, write about, and to
practice listening as well as improving grammar and extending vocabulary. Comprehension skills and
communication skills are developed within relevant topics while all lessons feature elements to
promote learner autonomy, study skills, critical thinking and communication skills. The emphasis is
learning by doing with students creating a ‘product’ rather than primarily completing practice
exercises. This enables all students to compile a collection of tasks on their apps as evidence of
progress. This collection of work can be easily stored and reviewed by using the learning app. An aim
is also to ‘learn English through English’ so students are exposed to functional language (advice,
requests, opinions etc.) in every lesson.

The topic-based integrated skills approach taken by the majority of activities is intended to encourage
and enable course students to use their existing English language skills for genuine communication
from a relatively early stage, rather than have to wait while they follow a strictly controlled grammar-
based syllabus. Interactional and problem-solving activities are also included which require decision
making and develop critical thinking skills too, which are often key to academic success.

3.2 Learning Sessions

Session Title Session Focus

Grammar Grammar is systematically introduced throughout the English Course but not in
isolation. The grammar structures are relevant to the topic or situation being
studied. For practice and use there are grammar games as well as individual and
pair tasks, including information gap activities to ensure a communicative or
problem-solving element requiring discussion. Focus is on both form and meaning.
Learners will be made familiar with the metalanguage of grammar so that they can
do self-access study and progress independently.

Vocabulary In addition to ensuring students have the lexis they need to understand and
express their views, lessons will help students extend their repertoire themselves
by becoming familiar with word formation (prefixes and suffixes). Attention is also
paid to the important area of collocation. Students will be introduced to phrasal
verbs in Levels 2 and 3. A list of vocabulary will be pre-loaded on the app for each
topic including functions. Students can record and add to this list from any

6