English Language 3

General Objectives:
• To achieve the B2.2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At this level students should be able to understand and produce written and oral texts belonging to different communicative contexts and registers, most especially, to the formal register and the academic context, in which they should be able to speak/write with a high degree of correctness and lexical sophistication.

Specific Objectives:
• To develop the ability to reflect upon the language and to describe and explain the English grammar from the point of view of language use.
• To practise the 4 skills (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
(i) Reading and Listening comprehension: to understand the main ideas of linguistically complex speech/writing in both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization (academic language).
(ii) Oral production/interaction: to be able to speak/interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without imposing strain on either party; to show a certain DEGREE OF GRAMMATICAL CONTROL and not make errors which cause misunderstanding; to be able to self-correct most of their mistakes.
(iii) Written production: to write clear and detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest; to express viewpoints on most general topics. HIGH DEGREE OF GRAMMATICAL CONTROL.
• To develop their linguistic competences:
1. Lexical competence: to use a high range of vocabulary: on most general topics and on topics belonging to their field of specialization.
2. Grammatical competence: to use the language with a high degree of grammatical control although there may be occasional slips, non-systematic errors and small errors in phrase structure.
3. Phonological competence: to speak with a correct pronunciation and natural intonation, although the influence of the native language may still be present.
4. Orthographic competence: to write following the conventions of text and paragraph organisation and with a high degree of orthographic correction.
• To develop the sociolinguistic competence: to use a language which is sociolinguistically adequate for the different communicative contexts; to understand different dialects; to adapt the language to the medium (oral or written); to understand different registers (neutral, formal, informal).
• To develop the pragmatic competence: to make an effective use of turn taking; to use a range of textual and cohesive elements: connectors, thematic structures and opinion markers.

The actual contents (grammar, vocabulary & skills) will be selected from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (B2.2).
1) GRAMMAR:
The grammar content, include advanced aspects such as alternative ways of grouping and ordering (written) information. These contents will be implemented by means of Hewings' Advanced Grammar in Use (see below) and will cover the following grammatical issues at an advanced level:
Contents:

1. Cohesion and coherence

2. Nouns: agreement; nominalisations

3. Punctuation and paragraphing (common problems: fragment, run-on, comma splice)

4. Adverbial clauses (cause, concession, contrast, condition, result); adverbial connectors and conjunctions.

5. Organising old and new information:

5.1. Passives (advanced issues)
5.2 Clefts and pseudoclefts
5.3. Inversion
5.4. Extraposition.

6. Reporting in academic English: reporting with nouns, adjectives and verbs.

2) THE FOUR SKILLS
The topics, which will be specified at the beginning of the semester, will include current issues. Possible topics might be: diversity; communication, information and social media; living and studying abroad; globalisation, migration, etc.
• Listening: listening and interpreting authentic material including different registers, accents and contexts.
• Reading: fiction, press, academic, etc.
• Speaking: informal conversations, interviews, debates.
• Writing: narratives and articles.

BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Compulsory grammar book:
Hewings, M. 2013. Advanced Grammar in Use with Answers 3rd Edition.
ISBN: 9781107697386
(** NOTE that this title is also available as an ebook:
Advanced Grammar in Use Book with Answers and Interactive eBook. 3rd Edition.
A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Advanced Learners of English.
ISBN: 9781107539303
Publication date: June 2015)

COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Grammar:

Biber, D.; Johansson, S.; Leech, Geoffrey; Conrad, S.; Finegan, E. 1999. Longman grammar of spoken and written English. London : Longman.
Biber, D.; Johansson, S.; Leech, Geoffrey; Conrad, S.; Finegan, E. 2002. Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English. London : Longman,
Carter, R. & M. McCarthy. Cambridge Grammar of English: A comprehensive guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. x + 973 pp., optionally with CD-ROM.Hashemi, L. & B. Thomas. 2003. Cambridge Grammar for First Certificate. Cambridge: C.U.P.
Raimes, A. 2004. Grammar Troublespots: A guide for Student Writers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Swan, M. & C. Walter. 2011. Oxford English Grammar Course. Advanced. Oxford: O.U.P.

Dictionaries:
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (with CD ROM).. Cambridge: C.U.P.
Oxford Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary. Oxford: O.U.P.
Cambridge International Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Cambridge: C.U.P.
Collins Cobuild English Dictionary. London: Harper Collins.
Cowie, A.P. & R. Mackin. 1993. Oxford Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Oxford: O.U.P.
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (with CD ROM). 2000. Oxford: O.U.P.
Online Oxford Collocations Dictionary (http://www.freecollocation.com/)
Oxford Learner’s Wordfinder Dictionary. 1997. Oxford: O.U.P.

Other materials:
MacCarthy, M. & F. O'Dell. 2016. Academic Vocabulary in Use Edition with Answers.
ISBN: 9781107591660
MacCarthy, M. & F. O'Dell. 2017. English Collocations in Use: Advanced. Book with Answers.
ISBN: 9781316629956
MacCarthy, M. & F. O'Dell. 2017. English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced Book with Answers.
ISBN: 9781316628096
Publication date: July 2017
MacCarthy, M. & F. O'Dell. 2017. English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced. Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook.Third Edition.

The student taking this subject is supposed to achieve a B2.2 level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This involves the development of the linguistic, sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences and of the four functions or skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), with a special emphasis on their use in academic contexts.
Please check CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG1,CG7, CG8, CG9, CE1, CE5 in the Memoria de Verificación do Grao en Lingua e Literatura Inglesas (http://www.usc.es/export9/sites/webinstitucional/gl/servizos/sxopra/mem…)

In the main, our didactic approach will be communicative and practical, even though we will also pay attention to the grammatical component, which we consider essential. Face-to-face classes will be of two types:

LECTURES (1 hour a week): The focus will be on Use of English (grammar and vocabulary activities) and academic writing. Students will be encouraged to actively reflect upon the use of the English grammar in different styles, contexts and registers (most especially, in academic English). Considerable emphasis will be placed on the detection of errors and on the use of academic structures and vocabulary (notably, academic collocations and formulae).

SEMINARS (2 hours a week): The focus will be on the practice (individually or in groups) of the four skills. The topics will include current issues that may prompt active discussion.

The standard evaluation system has two components:

1) CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (25%):
1.1. One in-class composition (10%) (dates to be announced at the beginning of the semester)
1.2. Group project: (15%) Project instructions will be provided within the first few classes. The project will assess all of the four skills through carrying out research on a topic chosen by the students and interpreted and displayed via written and/or audiovisual means.

2) A FINAL EXAM (75%) consisting of:

2.1. USE OF ENGLISH (grammar & vocabulary) (25%)
2.2. READING AND LISTENING (10%)
2.3. WRITING (20%)
2.4. ORAL EXAM (20%)

All final exam parts will take place on the official date, except for the oral exam that will be carried out on a date to be announced at the beginning of the semester.


In order to pass the subject you will need to obtain at least a 4 out of 10 in each of the four components of the final exam (2.1., 2.2., 2.3., 2.4). If this were not the case, even if your arithmetic final grade were 5 or higher, the maximum grade you might obtain in that case would be 4.5.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) This system applies to course assessment both in the first and in the second chance exams. Those students who have passed a section of the 1st chance exam may retain it for the second chance exam. In this case, the continuous assessment grade will be the same as the one they got for the first opportunity. This means that if they have failed or not submitted any component of the continuous assessment it will not be possible to submit them for the 2nd opportunity.

2) Students who are exempt from class attendance will just take the final exam representing 100% of the final grade, with the following distribution:
- Use of English (35%): grammar and vocabulary
- Listening & reading (15%)
- Writing (25%)
- Oral exam (25%)

Remember that in this case, you also need to obtain at least a 4 out of 10 in each of the four components of the final exam. If this were not the case, even if your arithmetic final grade were 5 or higher, the maximum grade you might obtain in that case would be 4.5.

3) Students who failed the subject in previous in academic years and are retaking this subject in 2024/25 will be evaluated following the general system described above (i.e. continuous assessment (25%) + final exam (75%)), unless they are unable to attend classes. In this case, they will need to inform the teacher at the beginning of the semester that they wish to be evaluated following the system that applies to students exempt from class attendance (i.e., with an exam worth 100% of the grade).

4) Given the nature of oral exams, these will be carried out on a date different from the official one. Please bear in mind that these dates will be duly announced in class and will be considered official.

5) THERE WILL NOT BE ALTERNATIVE DATES FOR ANY PART OF THE EXAM EXCEPT IN JUSTIFIED CASES.

6) PLAGIARISM: If fraudulent practices are detected in assignments or exams of any kind, this will bring about a direct fail in the subject, in application of article 16 of “Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións” :
“A realización fraudulenta dalgún exercicio ou proba exixida na avaliación dunha materia implicará a cualificación de suspenso na convocatoria correspondente, con independencia do proceso disciplinario que se poida seguir contra o alumno infractor. Considerarse fraudulenta, entre outras, a realización de traballos plaxiados ou obtidos de fontes accesibles ao público sen reelaboración ou reinterpretación e sen citas aos autores e das fontes”.

This is a six-credit subject. One ECTS credit is worth 25 hours work, so 6 x 25=150 hours. Students must devote at least 96 hours to personal work by themselves.

It is strongly recommended that students have a B2.1 level at the beginning of the autumn term. They should also have passed the subjects LINGUA INGLESA 1 & LINGUA INGLESA 2.

In general, we recommend that students increase their exposure to the English language, not restricting themselves to the exposure provided by all the academic courses.

1) Students are expected to complete all assignments and readings suggested by the lecturer(s), and to come to the sessions prepared to discuss them.

2)Students must visit the eLearning platform for the course regularly. Students are expected to check their university email on a regular basis: announcements and last-minute changes will be notified via the teaching platform.

3) No emails using a non-institutional account will be replied by the teachers, so students must contact the teachers using their USC email account.