Topic outline


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  • Grades and assessments

    • SKIT – Structure and Humor – two examples

      1.    Role Play Example – Structure:

      2.    Key & Peele – Pizza Order – Humor:

      3.    Key & Peele – Mr Garvey is your substitute teacher –


    • Don't know where to start? Have a look at this:

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-university

      a) Watch 3 videos and make your own glossary from the vocabulary and expressions proposed.
      b) Then compare with your partner(s) and agree on your initial situation and the vocabulary you will use.
      c) Finally, write down your skit and rehearse, rehearse and rehearse some more for a perfect performance!

  • Module 1 - Different Education Systems

    Objective 1:  Talk about university and student life

    In this module, you will:
    • read about the American and British school systems
    • listen to students and their university life
    • learn vocabulary about higher education
    • review key tenses
    • familiarize yourself with important phonetic symbols.

    • Reading activities

      School systems do not work exactly the same from one country to the next.
      • Learn how education is organised in the UK by taking a look at the chart
      British education system
      • Then read the text about the American school system and complete the chart with the appropriate information 
      American education system

    • Task - Writing

      Using the appropriate vocabulary, write a short paragraph to talk about your educational background, your courses and your plans for the future.

    • Listening activities - Engineering at the university of Birmingham and Cambridge


      Undergraduate students and staff talk about studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

      You will hear students talk about their experience at the University of Birmingham as engineering students. Watch the videos, take notes, and introduce each video to the group.

      • Video 1 - Sophie
      • Video 2 - Ashley

    • Task - Speaking

      1. Present the student(s) you listened to to the rest of your group.
      2. Make a 2 minute presentation of yourself, your studies and your school.

    • Grammar activities

      Let's look at how to form and use different present and past tenses in English.

    • Here is a recap of tenses in English.

    • Vocabulary activities

      Here is a list of useful "university" vocabulary. Print it, learn it, test yourself... you will need to know these words to talk about higher education. 

    • Phonology activities

      To improve your pronunciation, let's focus on key vowel sounds in English.

  • Module 2 - Problems with higher education...

    Objective : Make your freshman year better.

    In this module, you will:
    • Read about problems second-year students encounter in the US
    • Listen to French students who studied in the UK and the differences they noticed
    • Revise the comparative and superlative grammatical structures
    • Learn vocabulary linked to English-speaking higher-education systems
    • Improve your understanding of English pronunciation by learning about the most important vowel sound in English: the schwa.

    • Reading activities

      Pre-reading activities:
      • What problems did you face or are you still facing at university?
      • Can you think of solutions to improve your freshman year?
      Reading - NPR talked to second-year students about what would have helped most in that crucial first year of college. Their main point: It's not just about academics.

    • Listening activities

      Do you think France is the best place to be a student? 
      Let's listen to French students who have studied in both the French and British higher-education systems.

    • This quiz tests global and detailed comprehension. 

    • This quiz tests your global as well as your detailed comprehension.

    • Grammar activities

      Let's have a look at comparative and superlative structures to compare higher education around the world.

    • Here is a recap of the basics about comparatives.

    • Here is a recap of more complex structures using comparatives.

    • Here is a recap of the superlative form.

    • Vocabulary activities

      Here is an opportunity for you to review the vocabulary of step 1 and introduce some more.

    • Watch the video and for bonus points you can take the quiz an unlimited number of times.



    • Phonology activities

      Let's focus on the schwa, the most common short vowel sound in the English language.

    • This sound /Ə/ is the only one with a name, the schwa, and the most important sound in English.

    • If you want to know more about the schwa...

    • Task: Speaking - How can we make our freshman year better?

      Brainstorm in groups of 3. Prepare a short structured speech to offer a diagnosis and a set of propositions to improve our education system (1 speech per group). You may use real arguments or a humorous approach. The class will vote for the best speech.

       Introduction

      Think of an anecdote, a striking fact, something funny / sad / shocking...

       Main points

      Find clear labels for your arguments.

      Conclusion

      Avoid: "Errrr.... that's it!"

  • Module 3 - The cost of studies. Is it worth it?

    Objective: Learn about the cost of studies abroad and the consequences on students (and their parents). Participate in a debate and argue your point of view.

    In this module, you will:
    • listen to and read about the cost of studies in the UK and in the US
    • listen to how Starbucks can help you with paying for your studies and read about the difficulties of working while studying
    • read about and consider whether higher education is worth it in terms of employability and how far people are ready to go to get in the best universities
    • revise articles (a / an / the /
      Ø
      )
    • improve your understanding of English pronunciation by listening to the difference between long and short vowel sounds.

    • Listening activities

      Let's go around the world and see how much studying at university costs students.

    • This quiz tests your detailed comprehension and focuses on numbers.

    • This quiz tests your detailed comprehension and focuses on numbers.

    • Reading activities

      Studies do not cost the same depending on where you are from, whether in the UK or in the US.

    • Task: Class discussion

      • What do you think of the « needs-blind » admission policy operated by some US universities ?
      • Should French universities raise tuition fees? Why? Why not?

    • Reading activities

      With tuition now costing as much as £9,250 per year for many students, it's only natural to wonder what that money is spent on. And, surprise, surprise, it doesn't all go to teaching!

    • Task: Write an opinion piece

      Read the following article (A debate is under way about the cost of higher education - The Economist - July 2019) and express your opinion in 200 words. (agreement, disagreement, partial agreement)

    • Listening activities

      Studying at university costs students a lot of money. How to finance your studies then? Starbucks to the rescue?

      Reading activities

      University is supposed to be the time of your life, but at 20 years old I had forgotten what it was like to have a decent night out.

      • Reading - US college scandal

        The US admissions scandal has seen dozens of people charged following claims wealthy parents paid bribes to get their children places at elite colleges.

        Reading - University and student employability

        There are growing signs that prospective students are not just concerned about costs - they are just as interested in the return on their investment.

      • Listening activities

        Working Class Students Answer: Is College Worth It?

        Listening - (The Economist)

      • Grammar activities



        Let's first look at how and when articles are used in English.
        Then we will focus on compound nouns.

      • Here is a recap of the basics about article (a/an, the, Ø).

      • Here is a recap of the basics about compound nouns.

      • Here is a recap about countable and uncountable nouns.

      • Vocabulary activities

        Start your own lists of vocabulary related to money
      • Phonology activities

        Long vowels and short vowels: can you hear the difference?
      • Visit the following websites to hear the difference between long and short vowel sounds:

      • Task: Get ready for the debate

        In topics 1, 2 & 3, you learnt about other higher education systems. Can you list the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

    • Module 5 - Video games and Education

      Objective: Write a convincing argumentation about video games in higher education.

      In this  Module, you will:
      • listen to a teacher who has decided to use video games in class
      • read about examples of the use of video games at university and the advantages teachers see
      • focus on improving your pronunciation of consonants.

      • Listening activities

        You are going to hear a short speech by Paul Andersen. Paul Andersen has been teaching high school science in Montana for more than seventeen years.  He uses technology and game mechanics to increase engagement in his classroom.

         


        You can watch the whole video on Youtube
      • Reading




        Read about how universities in the US and around the world use technology in the classroom. Click on the name of the university to get more information.  

        What do you think Spiderman could teach you? Nothing? Think again!

        University course designers are harnessing the addictive quality of video games to develop 'Serious educational games' that engage students and much more.  

      • Grammar activities


      • Vocabulary activities

        Make your own list of vocabulary related to learning (or not) with the help of video games.

      • Phonology activities

        Now that you are an expert of vowel sounds, let's focus on consonant sounds. Don't worry, it is much easier! 

      • Task: Writing - Argue your point

        Choose one the following essay topics. Write a well-organized essay with concrete examples to support your arguments (200 words).

        •  Video games can be an educational tool.
        •  Video games are a waste of time.

    • Module 6 - The Comeback of Board Games


      Objective : Argue and convince your audience.

      In this module, you will:
      • read articles and listen to news reports explaining the resurgence of board games around the world
      • listen and compare American, Australian, British and kiwi accents
      • learn about video and board games  and how the line between them is blurring
      • learn how to communicate as clearly, fluently and naturally as possible by focussing on intonation and word stress.

    • Module 7 - Design your own board game

      Objective : Design your own board game.

      In this module, you will:


    • Module 8 - Games and Science

      Objective : Learn about how playing helps advance science.

      In this module, you will:
      • Listen to and read about AI's major breakthroughs in the past decades.
      • Read about how science and game playing enhance each other.


    • Technology - a revolution at school?


      In this module, you will:
      • listen to a news report about a school in the Silicon Valley:
      • read examples of how technology might improve the student experience
      • revise past tenses
      • continue to improve your pronunciation by focussing on English vowel sounds (diphthongs).

      • Listening activities

        CNN's Dan Simon reports on a school that uses a no-technology approach and how it's attractive to high-tech parents

      • Grammar activities



        After a revision of tense forms in Topic 1, let's now focus on when to use each tense and study them in contrast.

      • Vocabulary

        Make your own vocabulary list to talk about technology at school.

      • Phonology activities



        We have talked about short and long vowel sounds.
        Let's now zoom in on the combination of two vowel sounds: diphtongs.

      • A diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds within the same syllable. 

        Here are the 8 diphthongs: 


        • /eɪ/ as in 'take'
        • /aɪ/ as in 'buy'
        • /ɔɪ/ as in 'boy'
        • /ɪə/ as in 'near'
        • /eə/ as in 'care'
        • /əʊ/ as in 'go'
        • /ʊə/ as in 'sure'
        • /aʊ/ as in 'now'
        Read and listen to the lesson "Diphthongs: a Pronunciation Guide" to get acquainted with the 8 diphthongs in English pronunciation.

      • Task: Speaking - Argue your point

        Do you think technology has revolutionised higher education?
        If so, how? for better or for worse?
        If not, why?

    • Get ready for the finals

      The following exercises will help you prepare for the final test which is based on the Cambridge Exams Preliminary English Test (= PET = A2+/B1) and First Certificate in English (= FCE = B1+/B2).

    • Resources


      The Internet is a great tool to help you improve your English. Here are a few websites that your English teachers have selected for you.

      Don't forget, if you need more help outside class, visit the multimedia room (Building 336, 2nd floor, room 240). Teachers and tutors are there to help you. Opening hours

    • Staff room

      This section is visible to teachers only ;-)
    • Group A - A. Lozovska

    • Group B - A. Boulahcen

    • Group C - M-L. Maxim

    • Group ... - S. Perrichot

      • 2-minute presentation Devoir
        Ouvert le : lundi 30 septembre 2024, 00:00
        À rendre : lundi 7 octobre 2024, 00:00
        Non disponible à moins que : Vous soyez membre de Group D - SP
    • Group E - K. Sardesai

      • skits videos Devoir
        Ouvert le : lundi 6 novembre 2023, 00:00
        À rendre : mardi 7 novembre 2023, 23:00
        Non disponible à moins que : Vous soyez membre de Group E - KS
      • skit videos peip 1 groupe KS Devoir
        Ouvert le : lundi 9 décembre 2024, 00:00
        À rendre : mercredi 11 décembre 2024, 00:00
        Non disponible à moins que : Vous soyez membre de Group E - KS
    • Section 18

    • Group F - C. Bassinot

    • Group G - N. Fransès-Jones

    • Groups H & I - T. Blanchard