Course details

Practical English 4

BPC-PA4 FEKT BPC-PA4 Acad. year 2023/2024 Summer semester 5 credits

The course Practical English 4 focuses on the development of reading, listening, speaking and writing skills with particular emphasis on complex grammar and vocabulary at C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It is based on learning materials and requirements of the international Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) exam. The course continues the course Practical English 3. 

Guarantor

Course coordinator

Language of instruction

Czech

Completion

Examination

Time span

  • 52 hrs exercises

Department

Learning objectives

The course objectives and output requirements are formulated at C1 level (Effective Operational Proficiency) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
A course graduate can:
- understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning;
- express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions;
- use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes;
- can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Speaking
A course graduate:
- can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.

Writing
A course graduate:
- can write clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues;
- can expand and support points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples, and round off with an appropriate conclusion.

Listening
A course graduate:
- can understand enough to follow extended speech on abstract and complex topics beyond his/her own field, though he/she may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the accent is unfamiliar;
- can recognise a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts;
- can follow extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.

Reading
A course graduate:
- can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not they relate to his/her own area of speciality, provided he/she can reread difficult sections.





Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Knowledge of the English language at the level B2+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and successful completion of the course Practical English 3 (HPA 3) is required.




Study literature

  • HEWINGS, Martin. Advanced grammar in use: a self-study reference and practice book for advanced learners of English : with answers and CD-ROM. 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. ISBN 978-1-107-69989-2.
  • POWELL, Debra. Common mistakes at CAE: --and how to avoid them. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Cambridge books for Cambridge exams. ISBN 0521603773.
  • Longman phrasal verbs dictionary. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2000. ISBN 0582291828.
  • O'DELL, Felicity a Michael MCCARTHY. English collocations in use: advanced : how words work together for fluent and natural English : self-study and classroom use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. ISBN 9780521707800.

Fundamental literature

  • O'DELL, Felicity a Annie BROADHEAD. Objective advanced. Student’s Book with Answers. Third Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN 978-0-521-18182-2.
  • ELLEDEROVÁ, Eva. CAE Use of English Practice – A Set of Four Parts: 111x Multiple-Choice Cloze, 111x Open Cloze, 111x Word Formation, 111x Key Word Transformation. Brno: VUT FEKT, 2015.
  • ELLEDEROVÁ, Eva. Grammar and Word Formation for CAE – Survey and Practice. Brno: VUT FEKT, 2015.
  • ELLEDEROVÁ, Eva. Practical English HPA 4 - Grammar, Vocabulary and Phrases. Brno: VUT FEKT, 2019.

Progress assessment

75% attendance and active participation in classes, completing set assignments.

Course assessment in points:
A semester test: Use of English (max. 40 points, min. 24 pts, the test may be repeated only once). 
An examination: Listening (max. 30 pts, min. 15 pts), Reading (max. 30 pts, min. 15pts).

The condition for admission to the exam is a written test, which must be completed with a minimum of 24 points out of a total 40 points. The test is written in the 13th week of the semester and has only one resit. 


The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Course inclusion in study plans

  • Programme BIT, 2nd year of study, Compulsory-Elective group A
  • Programme BIT (in English), 2nd year of study, Compulsory-Elective group A
  • Programme IT-BC-3, field BIT, 2nd year of study, Compulsory-Elective group A
Back to top