851-0832-11L  Advanced English for Academic Purposes (C1-C2)

SemesterAutumn Semester 2018
LecturersR. Taylor
Periodicityevery semester recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentYour course regristration is only valid with a simultaneous online registration at the "Language Center of UZH and ETH Zurich" (Link).

Course fee: CHF 80.00


AbstractThis course is designed for Bachelor and Master students from all disciplines, who wish to improve their English from C1 towards C2 level and train their language skills at Mastery level. Selected Academic English features are included to add value to the course to meet standard entrance requirements by leading universities and colleges worldwide.
ObjectiveParticipants should already have reached a level of C1 (advanced), as defined in the Council of Europe Global Scale. The course is also open to participants whose level is above C1.
The course aims to train and develop linguistic skills at Mastery level, with a focus on formal and informal lexis, on listening and oral communication skills, increasing fluency, accuracy and complexity of spoken language; writing well-structured descriptive texts and argumentative essays, with the aim to fulfill the language requirements for study at an English speaking university or follow University Masters Courses held in English.
ContentThe course covers: a review of vocabulary building and extension, including the Academic Word List and formulaic language; input on academic reading, writing and listening comprehension; and improvement of grammatical accuracy. Special emphasis is placed on individual speaking, argumentative discourse and group discussions, to enhance fluency and confidence. Where possible, students will be asked to reflect on how the course content relates to their own academic disciplines.
Lecture notesNo script. Handouts will be delivered weekly and published on Moodle.
LiteratureParticipants will be expected to make a contribution of CHF 5.00 at the beginning of the course to cover the costs of photocopying.
Prerequisites / NoticeParticipants will be expected to:
Attend regularly throughout the semester;
Take part actively in class discussions, group work and pair work;
do at least 2 hours' work per week outside class, including reading and writing;
Use the electronic tools provided.
Complete a portfolio report of four key tasks, aiming to practice the skills focussed on during the semester.

A language certificate from the Language Center is issued on successful completion of the course; Bachelor and Master students of the ETH will receive D-Gess credits and a mark, awarded electronically at the end of the semester. Details will follow at the beginning of the semester.

The course is only open to students who register on-line via the Sprachenzentrum website (in February 2015, please review the SZ webpage) and who receive on-line confirmation that they have been accepted on this course.