Academic English (B2)

SWS: 2

ECTS: 3

Einstufungsergebnis: 50-70 

This course is intended for students who feel that they would like to consolidate their general language knowledge without a focus on English for special purpose topics. After successful completion of the course, you will be more competent in

• writing an essay or report which develops an argument, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view
• synthesizing information and arguments from a number of sources in writing and speaking
• expressing your ideas and opinions convincingly in providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments
• understanding articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems
• quickly identifying the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of general and professional topics
• understanding standard spoken language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics
• following extended speech and complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar
• using a sufficient range of vocabulary and you show a relatively high degree of grammatical control

Certificate requirements: Regular attendance and ILIAS work and uploads are a must. Your grade will be based your ILIAS work and a final exam at the end of the semester.

Book recommended*: Empower B2 Second Edition Combo B with digital pack, Cambridge UP/Klett ISBN 3125407787

*Book recommended means that the course will use material from the book but less than 60%.

Academic English (B2)

SWS: 2

ECTS: 3

Einstufungsergebnis: 50-70

This course is intended for students who feel that they would like to consolidate their general language knowledge without a focus on English for special purpose topics. After successful completion of the course, you will be more competent in

• writing an essay or report which develops an argument, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view
• synthesizing information and arguments from a number of sources in writing and speaking
• expressing your ideas and opinions convincingly in providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments
• understanding articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems
• quickly identifying the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of general and professional topics
• understanding standard spoken language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics
• following extended speech and complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar
• using a sufficient range of vocabulary and you show a relatively high degree of grammatical control

Certificate requirements: Regular attendance and ILIAS work and uploads are a must. Your grade will be based your ILIAS work and a final exam at the end of the semester.

Oral Skills (B2)

SWS: 2

ECTS: 3

Einstufungsergebnis: 50-70

This course is designed for students who are looking for what the course title says: speaking practice. It may be especially helpful for students who have so far focused more on formal aspects of the language (e.g. grammar, writing) and would like to develop their real-life communication skills in English. The main focus of the course will be to develop your fluency, spontaneity as well as your ability to adapt flexibly to the specific situation. But we will also focus on accuracy to some extent (i.e. help you to avoid mistakes while speaking). If necessary, we will work on your pronunciation so that you become a more natural-sounding speaker. We will also specifically help you perform better in some situations in which communication in a foreign language is especially challenging (e.g. job interviews, oral presentations, classroom discussions).

We will achieve this by working on a variety of speaking activities from week to week. These will depend on the preferences of the group, but may include: discussing general topics, reading and discussing news articles, watching films or series and discussing them, role-playing, communication games, presentations, and any other activities that we find to be enjoyable and helpful.

At the end of the course, you should have solid speaking skills at B2 level, which means that you are fluent and spontaneous in most situations, still make some mistakes, but generally can handle communication successfully and with little difficulty. Please understand that this course is not for you if you are already quite fluent and confident in English and are just looking for a possibility to keep working your language skills. For this, consider a C1-level course or a tandem arrangement.

 Oral Skills (B2)

SWS: 2

ECTS: 3

Einstufungsergebnis: 50-70

This course is designed for students who are looking for what the course title says: speaking practice. It may be especially helpful for students who have so far focused more on formal aspects of the language (e.g. grammar, writing) and would like to develop their real-life communication skills in English. The main focus of the course will be to develop your fluency, spontaneity as well as your ability to adapt flexibly to the specific situation. But we will also focus on accuracy to some extent (i.e. help you to avoid mistakes while speaking). If necessary, we will work on your pronunciation so that you become a more natural-sounding speaker. We will also specifically help you perform better in some situations in which communication in a foreign language is especially challenging (e.g. job interviews, oral presentations, classroom discussions).

We will achieve this by working on a variety of speaking activities from week to week. These will depend on the preferences of the group, but may include: discussing general topics, reading and discussing news articles, watching films or series and discussing them, role-playing, communication games, presentations, and any other activities that we find to be enjoyable and helpful.

At the end of the course, you should have solid speaking skills at B2 level, which means that you are fluent and spontaneous in most situations, still make some mistakes, but generally can handle communication successfully and with little difficulty. Please understand that this course is not for you if you are already quite fluent and confident in English and are just looking for a possibility to keep working your language skills. For this, consider a C1-level course or a tandem arrangement.