Course info

About the course

The main objective of the course is to develop students' English language communicative competency at the level that will enable them to function adequately in everyday life and in their general
professional activity.
The course is intended for  B2/C1 English students studying English as a second foreign language in the 2nd semester. 
The course covers such topics as tourism and travelling, national cuisines, cross-cultural communication, natural biodiversity and environmental problems, higher education and learning strategies .

After completing this e-course students should be able to demonstrate

KNOWLEDGE OF: 
• English vocabulary and grammar that are necessary for successful oral and written communication in the fields related to the thematic scope of the course;   
• relevant professional terminology and general scientific notions associated with travelling and national cuisines, national identities, cultures and communication across cultures, biodiversity in nature and environmental issues, higher education;
• different methods for searching and analysing of information from various English language sources (oral and written);

 SKILLS IN:
• understanding oral and written English related to travelling, national cuisines, cross-cultural communication, natural biodiversity and environmental problems, higher education and learning strategies;
• describing cultures and traditions;
• generating written and oral statements using English in the situations related to the thematic scope of the course;
• making written scripts for videos;
• making and delivering presentations in English;
• writing essays, reports, proposals, and overviews;
• fulfilling group projects;
• analysing written and oral English to express their agreement/disagreement and justify ther opinion;

EXPERIENCE OF: 
• presenting information in a variety of written, graphic and oral forms; constructing coherent arguments and articulating ideas clearly;
• analysing and explaining concepts/methods relevant to the scope of the course;
• developing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with groupmates;
• planning and organizing their independent study process through self-study, and, thus, developing their learner autonomy skills.

45.05.01 Technical Translation
Major: Translation and Interpreting Studies

Module 1. Travelling issues (Reasons to travel, Travelling issues, Destinations, National cuisines; Grammar: Modal verbs; Supplementary material)
Module 2. Cross-cultural communication (Language as a means of communication, Communication across cultures, Cultural identity, Traditions and festivals; Grammar: Passive voice; Supplementary material)
Module 3. Environmental issues (Biodiversity in a natural world, Environmental challenges and solutions, Eco trends, Grammar: Reported speech; Supplementary material)
Module 4. Higher education (Educational systems and universities, Learning stategies, Academic mobility and studying abroad; Grammar: Subjunctive mood, wishes, unreal past; Supplementary material)
Final test

Course duration: 17 weeks

Course complexity: 10 credits/352 (160+192) hours

Form of control:  pass/fail test

Olga S. Kvashnina, Senior teacher, Division for Foreign Languages, School of Social Studies