2024/2025
English for General Academic Purposes. Proficiency Course – 1
Type:
Optional course
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
48
Course Syllabus
Abstract
«English for General Academic Purposes. Proficiency Course–1» is designed for first-year HSE undergraduates of the «Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication» programme to enhance their English skills in specialized academic discourses at the proficiency level. In compliance with «Concept of Development of English-language Communicative Competence of HSE Students» and «Regulations for Interim and Ongoing Assessments of Students at National Research University Higher School of Economics», the course aims at developing English-language communicative, integrated, critical and creative thinking competences. Students should get no less than 75 points as a result of the Entrance Test to join the course. The course comprises two general academic topics crucial for navigating modern sociocultural contexts – sociology and economics. Students are expected to master different receptive and productive skills at the C1+ CEFR level, such as skimming and scanning, taking notes, annotating, paraphrasing, summarizing, participating in discussions, encouraging participation, preparing and delivering presentations, identifying main ideas and supporting details, developing their own ideas, integrating, and producing coherent and cohesive oral and written texts. The acquisition of the skills is checked with the help of written tests (in vocabulary, grammar, reading, and listening), written works (an email and a summary), oral works (a discussion and a monologue), and student independent work in class and at home (participation in discussions and online work on SmartLMS). The offline exam (final assessment) checks students’ ability to deal with listening to texts within the academic context and producing comprehensible written summaries of academic texts. To successfully master the course, students are encouraged to work independently on SmartLMS. There are no blocking elements of assessment.
Learning Objectives
- In reading and listening: to critically analyze and evaluate complex academic texts, including identifying arguments, understanding rhetorical strategies, and recognizing assumptions and biases;
- in vocabulary and grammar: to expand and practice advanced vocabulary, particularly academic and domain-specific terminology relevant to students’ fields of study; to reinforce advanced grammar and style conventions in academic writing, including mastering complex sentence structures, using appropriate tone and formality, and understanding nuanced language usage;
- in speaking: to help students develop advanced skills in constructing and defending arguments, as well as engaging in productive academic debates and discussions; to develop advanced communication strategies for academic contexts, including negotiation, persuasion, and the ability to tailor communication to specific audiences and purposes; to provide opportunities for students to hone their skills in delivering effective academic presentations, including structuring content, using visual aids, and engaging with an audience;
- in writing: to master advanced academic writing skills, including synthesizing information from multiple sources, developing complex arguments, and effectively incorporating evidence to support their claims.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- to express oneself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions;
- to interact with another speaker in a dialogue flawlessly and efficiently;
- to know and use advanced vocabulary from the topics of sociology, economics, biology, humanities and environmental engineering;
- to link multiple sources to produce a cohesive review;
- to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices;
- to use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
- to interact with another speaker in a dialogue flawlessly and efficiently;
Assessment Elements
- Final Assessment (FA)The exam is a written paper-and-pen test and is aimed at checking whether the student can demonstrate the acquisition of the learning objectives set. The exam consists of two parts, i.e. Listening (L) and Writing (W) that weigh 50% and 50% respectively in the total mark for the exam. Period of FA: 10 days prior to the session of the 2nd module. The release of examination papers: during the session. Time limit: 70 minutes offline. The structure of the exam: 1. Listening (L) Listen to the audio ONCE and complete the tasks. Max. 10 points. Students have no more than 20 minutes to complete the Listening (L) part. 2. Writing (W) Read the text. Summarize the text you have read. Write a summary. A student should write a 150-word summary. Students have 50 minutes to complete the writing part. Grading formula: L*0,5 + W*0,5 = 10.
- Written Assessment (WA)Written assessment includes: min 1 reading test, min 1 listening test, min 2 writing tests (email & summary), min 3 vocabulary and grammar tests.
- Oral Assessment (OA)Oral Assessment includes: min 1 discussion, min 1 monologue.
- Student Independent Work Assessment / Online (IWA)Student Independent Work includes class participation during the semester or any other independent activities assigned by the teacher (e.g. homework or mini-projects). Independent work is evaluated on the scale from 0 to 2 points (0 = no work, 1 = satisfactory work, 2 = active/excellent work). The sum of all points is then converted to percentages, which are then converted to a grade (according to the grading scale).
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 2nd module0.3 * Final Assessment (FA) + 0.2 * Oral Assessment (OA) + 0.25 * Student Independent Work Assessment / Online (IWA) + 0.25 * Written Assessment (WA)
