Section outline

  • Introduction

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  • Week 1: Introduction; Education Vocabulary and Reading

    Introductions; Education vocabulary.

    Assignment for Week 2: Do the moodle activities and quizzes. Get a copy of the textbook (electronic or real-life): Brook-Hart, G., Jakeman, V. Complete IELTS Bands 5-6.5 (Students' Book), CUP, 2012. 

    Textbook activity: Read the text on culture shock on pp. 10-11 and prepare your answers to questions 1-13 in exercises 5+6. Get ready for an in-class discussion of culture shock.


    • Revision test B1 Quiz
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      Take this test to see whether you are ready to enrol in this course. If your grade is lower than 6 points, you should re-consider enrolment in this course or revise extensively from the following textbook: Brook-Hart, G., Jakeman, V. Complete IELTS Bands 4 -5 (Students' Book), CUP, 2012

    • Education Vocabulary - Preparing to read Quiz
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      Match the collocations 1-9 with their meaning (a-i)

    • Reading Assignment - Distance or face-to-face learning - what's the difference? File
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      Read the following article and answer the related questions in the test below.

    • Are these statements true or false? Quiz
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      Answer these statements based on the text on the differences between distance or face-to-face learning.

    • Online learning: Write about your experience Forum
      Due: Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 11:00 PM
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      Start discussions: 1
      Post replies: 1
      Make forum posts: 1

      Answer the following questions. Write 220-250 words.

      Q: How has teaching and learning transformed over the past few years? Describe your personal experience. Do you do a significant amount of online learning? Is it challenging for you in any way? How? Do you use any AI tools? Which ones and why? How do you feel about it? Why? 

      Before you write your response, read the following article and briefly react to it: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/aug/24/ai-cheating-chat-gpt-openai-writing-essays-school-university

      Deadline: Oct. 8, 11 p.m.

      React to one of your colleague's texts. Choose one that has not yet been taken.

      Deadline: Oct. 15, 11 p.m.

  • Week 2: Unit 1 - culure shock-reading, key vocabulary, making comparisons

    Textbook activity for our class on October 16: 

    Unit 1: Study the vocabulary on p. 12 and do the related textbook exercises. Study the Key grammar of this unit - making comparisons - on p.100 and do the related exercise on p. 16. You can ignore the writing and speaking sections of Unit 1 as these are not relevant to our B2exam preparation. 

    Unit 2: Do the reading comprehension exercise on pp.18-19. Check your answers with the key. Prepare any questions regarding the text for our in-class discussion on Oct.16.

    When you have completed the textbook preparation, please check your progress in the Moodle activities and write your answers to the forum.

    • Problem or Trouble? Quiz
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      Do the vocabulary exercises on p. 12 in our textbooks. Then complete these questions with problem or trouble.

    • Affect or effect? Quiz
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      Do the vocabulary exercises on p. 12 in our textbooks. Then complete these questions with affect or effect.

    • Unit 1 comparatives homework File
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      Study the rules for making comparisons on p. 16 and p. 100. Prepare your answers for our next session (Week 3).

    • Comparatives and Superlatives - Quiz URL
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      Interactive quiz deadline:  October 15, 11 p.m.

      The assignment will expire soon after that, so don't miss this chance to practice your comparative and superlatives!

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      Unit 1 - Listening for those who missed the class: Look at exercises 1-5 on pp. 8-9 and complete your answers to the listening comprehension tasks. Check your answers with the key.

      Track 1

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      Track 2

    • Write about what you read: Organic Food: why? Forum
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      Post replies: 1
      Make forum posts: 1

      Read the article on pp. 18 and 19 and answer the questions in exercise 7 on p. 19. Do not write more than 250 words. Deadline: October 15, 11 p.m. After you publish your ideas, choose 1 of your colleagues' answers and react to it (again, no more than 250 words). 2nd deadline: October 22, 11 p.m.

    • Practice for the B2 exam URL
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      As was stated last week, the faculty B2 exam is based on the IELTS test. I recommend using this source for autonomous practice and useful tips. 

      Listening: focus only on sections 3+4

      Writing: Focus only on Writing Task 2

    • Another excellent source for exam practice URL
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  • Week 3: Unit 2

    Textbook activity:

    Please make sure you check the word formation rules on p.100. Do exercise 1+4 on p. 21 and check with the key. Do the Listening exercises on p. 20, ex.3. Before you write the essay, please check the writing instructions in the attached materials in moodle.

    • Countability exercises KEY File
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    • Countable and uncountable nouns exercises File
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      These are optional exercises that you can take for more practice. The key is included in a separate file.

    • Countable and uncountable nouns Quiz
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      Choose the correct option.

    • Countable and Uncountable Nouns and Quantifiers QUIZ URL
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      QUIZIZZ! The test should work now.

    • What's wrong with our food? URL
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      This is a must-see 4-minute Ted Talk by a 11-year-old. How to make a difference. Very much in support of organic farming:)

    • Word formation Quiz
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      Study the rules for word formation on pp. 100-101. Do exercise 4 on p.21 and then complete the sentences in this quiz using the correct form of the word in the brackets.

    • word formation exercises File
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      Prepare your answers to these 2 exercises. We will check them together in class.

    • Word formation Quiz Practice URL
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      Another fun QUIZ! Practice your word formation skills. Until October 22! 

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      Unit 2 - Listening on p. 20, ex. 3. Check your answers with the key.

    • Revision test Units 1+2 Quiz
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      Please take this test after you have completed the revision tasks on pp. 26-27.

    • Academic style WRITING ESSAYS File
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      Read through this material before you write your essay. It contains a summary of the most problematic points we have come across in essays written for our courses. 

    • dos-and-donts in essay writing File
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    • How to plan your opinion essay URL
    • Writing tips URL
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      This website offers brilliant tools for essay writing and generally Ielts preparation. 

    • Linking words and phrases: Practice URL

      Please check this link in order to practice the use of linking expressions before you write your essay.

    • Essay No.1 Assignment
      Opened: Wednesday, 23 October 2019, 12:00 AM
      Due: Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 11:00 PM
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      Write an essay of 220-250 words. You can choose either the topic on p. 25, exercise 8 or the following topic:

      Some people say that in the modern world it is very difficult for people to have a healthy lifestyle. Others, however, say that it is easy for people to be healthy and fit if they want to be.

      Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

      Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge and experience.

      Deadline: October 22, 11 p.m.

      Name your uploaded file like this: essay1_Name

      Don't forget to set your document language to English - to prevent spelling mistakes. Refer to all of the writing tips in moodle before you start writing.

      Don't forget to organize your ideas in paragraphs (3-5). Indent the first line of each paragraph OR insert a space between the paragraphs.

  • Week 4: Unit 3

    Revision of Units 1+2.  

    Textbook activity: Unit 3

    Listening (p. 28-29)

    Reading: Read the article on pp. 30+31 and prepare your answers to questions 1-14. Check your answers with the key and get ready for an in-class discussion of the article on October 30.

    Grammar: Study the rules of present perfect (vs past simple) on p. 34 (first see Language reference on p. 103) and through the inserted links.

    Vocabulary: Study the Key Vocabulary of this Unit on p. 34 and do the related exercises

     

    • Present perfect continuous rules, examples and quiz URL
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      This is a 6-minute grammar topic created for you by BBC Learning English.

    • Unit 3 vocabulary: teach, learn or study? Find out or know? Quiz
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      Look at the vocabulary section on p. 34. Study the dictionary definitions of these easily confused verbs and do the quiz. Don't forget to put the verb in the correct tense!

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      Unit 3 - Listening, p. 29, ex. 2. Before you do the listening exercise, study the vocabulary in ex. 1 on p.28. Check your answers with the key.

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      Unit 3 - Listening, p. 29, ex. 4-5

    • Test your usage of present perfect vs past tenses. URL
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      Please take the quiz to practice present perfect vs past simple. Deadline: October 29, 22 p.m.

    • More present perfect vs past simple practice URL
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      More!

  • Week 5: Unit 4

    Unit 4 - New Media.

    Reading: Read the text on p. 38 and answer questions 1-13. Check with the key. Get ready for a brief in-class discussion of the topic.

    Listening: Do the listening comprehension exercises on pp. 40-41 and answer questions 1-10.

    Vocabulary: Cause, factor and reason. Study the words on p. 41 by completing exercises 1-3. Take the quiz in moodle.

    • Vocabulary: cause, factor and reason Quiz
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      Study the vocabulary section on p. 41. Do the related exercises and check them with the key. Then take this short quiz.

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      Listen to the recordings and fill in questions 1-10 on pp. 40-41. Check your answers with the key.

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    • Watch and share Forum
      Students must
      Start discussions: 1
      Post replies: 1
      Make forum posts: 1

      Choose one of the suggested TedTalks and share your experience with your colleagues via a forum post. First, state the name of the talk and briefly sum up its key points. Second, comment on the talk. What was most interesting/inspiring for you? What did you agree/disagree with? Write 150-300 words.

      1. How to learn any language in 6 months:
      2. This is a list of 7 TedTalks to choose from: https://www.heylama.com/blog/learn-german-ted-talks (not German, don't worry - this is a list of 7 TedTalks to choose from
      3. How to learn any language easily:
      4. Any other TedTalk you find inspiring

  • Week 6: Unit 4: Articles. Writing. Linking Words. Revision of Unit 3+4; Presentations

    TEXTBOOK: Unit 4: Writing: In the essay-writing exercise on p. 44, the following linking words are practised: However, On the other hand, even though and although. Their use is explained on p. 103-104. I also attach a Moodle quiz to practice the use of these words. Do the Vocabulary and Grammar revision on pp. 46-47 and check with the key. Take the Unit 3-4 revision test.

    Grammar: The main grammar topic of this unit is: articles. Please study the rules on p.104 and the attached presentation and other useful links. Practice on p.45 and check with the key. Do the Moodle article quiz and the other attached 'quizziz'.

    PRESENTATIONS: FIND A TEXT FOR YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION. SEARCH FOR AN ARTICLE RELATED TO YOUR FIELD OF STUDY. YOU CAN DO SO VIA GOOGLE SCHOLAR, THE SEARCH ENGINE UKAZ (MORE: https://cuni.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=420CKIS_INST:UKAZ&lang=cs) OR PEIZ: https://cuni.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=420CKIS_INST:DB&lang=cs

    IF YOU ARE GETTING READY FOR THE FACULTY B2 EXAM, YOUR ARTICLE MUST HAVE ABOUT 20 STANDARD PAGES AND MUST BE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN ENGLISH. YOU CAN ALSO USE 2 ARTICLES OF APP. 10 PAGES EACH. IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING TO TAKE THE EXAM, YOUR SOURCE CAN BE SHORTER. 

    PREPARE A SHORT (5-10 MINUTE) PRESENTATION OF YOUR ARTICLE. PREPARE A VISUAL PRESENTATION AS WELL (POWERPOINT, PREZI ETC.). WATCH THE VIDEO I INCLUDED IN THIS UNIT TO AVOID OUR DEATH BY POWERPOINT:) 

    DON'T FORGET TO PROOFREAD YOUR SLIDES FOR POSSIBLE SPELLING MISTAKES (RUN THE TEXT THROUGH WORD OR SOME APP, E.G. GRAMMARLY, DEEP-L).

    THE PRESENTATIONS WILL BE DELIVERED ON WEEK 9 and 10.

     

    • Articles 1 PRESENTATION File
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    • Articles 2: Additional Tips and Tricks File
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    • Articles - an online quiz URL
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      Please do this quiz to boost your articles usage.

    • Articles Quiz
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    • Articles Practice - QUIZZIZ! URL
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      Take this quiz by Tuesday, November 12, 11 p.m.

    • Linking words - video summary URL
    • Practice the use of linking words here URL
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    • Selected linking words of contrast Quiz
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    • Revision Test Units 3+4 Quiz
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      Do the vocabulary and grammar review on pp. 46-47 and check with the key. Then take this revision test.

    • Oral Presentations - Sign UP! Signup sheet
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      Sign up to a session
    • How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint URL
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      Watch this video before you start preparing your presentation.

    • Essay - optional Assignment
      Due: Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 11:00 PM

      This is an optional assignment. The deadline is November 20. No later submissions will be accepted.

      Choose 1 topic and write 220-250 words.

      Topic 1: Some people think that newspapers are the best media to learn and get information from, while others believe that the internet is a better source. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

      Topic 2: With the increase of digital media available online the role of the library has become obsolete. University should provide digital material rather than textbooks. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of this position and give your own point of view.

  • Week 7: Unit 5 "The World in Our Hands"

    Unit 5 - The World in Our Hands

    Reading: Read the text on pp. 50-51 and answer questions 1-13. 

    Listening: Do the listening tasks in Unit 5.

    Grammar: The passive - please check the passive voice rules English on p. 104 and do ex. 5 on p. 55. Practice your use of passive voice in the 2 quizzes. 

    • List of Summaries for Presentations URL
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      Follow the instructions in the shared document and insert your summary in bullet points.

      Deadline: November 27

    • Summary writing rules video URL
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      OPTIONAL: This short video sums up the most important rules of summary writing.

      (For the purposes of the B2 exam, you are only required to write a brief summary in bullet points. 

      Throughout your academic career, however, you might be asked to summarize an article for your colleagues (or the lecturer). Summarizing is also an excellent way of taking notes.

      Nowadays, you have various AI tools to help you with this routine. Nevertheless, you cannot rely on them entirely and need to check whether the most important ideas have really been included, as it is often the case that some of the points are selected rather randomly. )

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      Unit 5 - Listening; Track 19

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      Unit 5 - Listening; Track 20

    • Listening: Practice passive vs active voice URL
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      Listen to the podcast. You can open the transcript and follow it at the same time.

    • Passive Voice rules and activities File
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      Study the handout and check your answers with the key.

    • Passives Key File
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    • Practice the passive I. URL
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      Take this quiz to practice the passive voice. 

    • Practice the passive II. URL
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    • Passive or active? Why do we dream? URL

      In-class activtiy: for those who missed the class.

  • Week 8: Unit 6 - part 1; Preparing for presentations

    Unit 6 

    Reading: p. 57 - Do exercise 1 to practice some useful shopping vocabulary. Read the text on p. 58 and answer questions 1-13 on pp. 59-60. Check your answers with the key. Get ready for an in-class discussion of the text on November 27.

    Listening: Do the listening exercises on p. 60-61 - Prepare for the listening exercise by studying the vocabulary definitions in ex.1 on p. 60 and then answer questions 1-10. Check your answers with the key.

    Vocabulary: p. 105 - verbs+ infinitive; verbs+ -ing. Study the verb patterns and practice on p. 61, ex.2 and p. 62, ex.3. Check your answers with the key. More practice is attached below.

     

     

  • Week 9: Unit 6 - part 2;

    Unit 6 

    Grammar: relative pronouns and relative clauses. Study the rules on p. 105 and do ex. 2-3 on p.65. Check with the key.

    Check the PowerPoint presentation on Relative Clauses attached in this unit and do the related activities.

    Prepare your answers to the attached exercise. We will check it together during our online session on April 24.

    Writing: Study the writing tasks on pp. 64-65. Get ready for Essay 2. 

    Get ready for Unit 5-6  revision test by doing the Vocabulary and grammar review on pp. 66-67.

    When you are ready, take the Unit 5+6 revision test.

    • Commas! URL
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    • presentations handout File
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      Let's get ready to overcome the following:

      The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public. ~ Unknown

      Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a very common phobia and one that is believed to affect up to 75% of the population. Some individuals may feel a slight nervousness at the very thought of public speaking, while others experience full-on panic and fear.

      Use the worksheet as a phrase bank for your presentations.

    • Relative+nominal clauses presentation CRUCIAL MATERIAL! NO MORE MISTAKES IN RELATIVE CLAUSES PUNCTUATION! File
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    • Relative pronouns quiz
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    • Vocabulary quiz: Feelings.
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    • Disadvantages and Advantages Essay- HANDOUT File
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      Use this guide to write your essay.

    • Essay Unit 6 Assignment
      Opened: Wednesday, 15 April 2020, 12:00 AM
      Due: Tuesday, 3 December 2024, 11:00 PM
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      Answer the question in the rubric on p. 65, ex.7 in our textbook.

      Deadline: December 3, 11 p.m.

      Name your uploaded file like this: essayU6_Name

      Don't forget to set your document language to English - to prevent spelling mistakes. You can also use this app to correct your mistakes: https://app.grammarly.com/. 

      Or: you can also try and simulate the Exam Situation if you are planning on taking the B2 exam this academic year. In this case - switch off your spell-check, do not use any AI apps and try to limit your writing time to max. 45 minutes. 

      Don't forget to organize your ideas in paragraphs (3-5). Indent the first line of each paragraph OR insert a space between the paragraphs.

      Write 220-250 words.

    • Revision Test Units 5+6 Quiz
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  • Week 10: Presentations; Unit 7; Focus on Listening

    Grammar phenomena usually tested in the B2 exam

    0, 1st + 2nd conditional; the passive; modal verb in the past; the present perfect; although/unless clauses; superlative + comparative forms, indirect speech; indirect questions; relative pronouns

    Unit 7

    Home study for Week 11.

    Listening: Answer questions 1-10 in ex. 2+4 on p. 69. Check your answers with the key. Focus on listening. Explore the links to the sample listening tests. The B2 Exam Listening section is based on the IELTS listening tests section 3+4.

    Reading: Read the text on p .71 and answer questions 1-13. Check your answers with the key. Get ready for the forum discussion.

    Grammar: Conditionals: study the Key Grammar section on p. 76/106 and do exercises 1-4. Practice via the attached exercises in Moodle.