Course detail

English Skills

CESA-SESKAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course is designed to develop students’ general English language proficiency at the B1/B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It focuses on practical communication in everyday and academic contexts while consolidating and extending students’ previous knowledge of English. The course introduces elements of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) through topics related to university studies and professional contexts.

Students develop their ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English, with emphasis on vocabulary development, grammar accuracy, listening comprehension, reading strategies, discussion skills, and expressing opinions. The course also supports the development of learning strategies and learner autonomy in foreign language acquisition.

Course Content

Introduction: Course orientation

  • Introduction to study materials, course requirements, assessment criteria, and effective language-learning strategies.

Topic 1: Sociology – Are First Impressions Accurate?

  • Discussing personal impressions and characteristics of people.
  • Making inferences and comparing and contrasting information.
  • Language focus: auxiliary verbs, word formation (suffixes).

Topic 2: Behavioural Science – What Can We Learn from Success and Failure?

  • Listening for specific examples and supporting details.
  • Paraphrasing and summarising information.
  • Language focus: past simple and present perfect, word formation (prefixes).

Topic 3: Marketing – How Does Advertising Affect Our Behaviour?

  • Discussing and evaluating the influence of advertising on individuals and society.
  • Expressing opinions, attitudes, and viewpoints.
  • Language focus: modal verbs, expressions for giving opinions and attitudes.

Topic 4: Neurology – Will Artificial Intelligence Ever Be as Smart as Humans?

  • Justifying opinions and supporting claims with arguments.
  • Participating in and leading group discussions.
  • Taking notes from spoken and written sources.
  • Language focus: gerunds and infinitives.

Topic 5: Evaluation and Assessment

  • Review of course content.
  • Language assessment and evaluation of acquired skills.

 

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Entry knowledge

The course is designed for students with an intermediate level of English proficiency. It assumes that students possess language knowledge and skills corresponding to B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and provides opportunities to further develop their communicative competence towards the B1/B2 level. 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

To successfully complete the course, students are required to actively participate in seminars, complete assigned individual preparation and e-learning activities, and pass the final credit test.

The credit test assesses students’ listening comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary knowledge. A minimum score of 60% is required to pass the written test. Students who do not achieve the required score are allowed to retake the test.

Successful completion of the e-learning activities also requires a minimum achievement of 60%.

Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is regularly monitored by the teacher. Students may be absent from a maximum of two language seminars without additional requirements. In justified cases, further absences may be compensated for after consultation with the teacher and agreement on appropriate make-up activities.

 

Aims

The course aims to develop students' English language proficiency for effective communication in everyday and real-life situations. It consolidates and extends students' knowledge of intermediate-level (B1/B2 CEFR) grammar and general vocabulary while strengthening the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills required for further academic study and subsequent English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses. 

Study aids

E-learning

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

- (EN)
M. Craven, K.D. Sherman: Skills for Success 3, third edition, Listening and Speaking, OUP 2019 (EN)
-MURPHY, Raymond. English Grammar in Use: A self-study reference and practice book for intermediate learners of English : with answers. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. ISBN 978-0-521-18906-4. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme SPC-STC Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    3 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer