Subject: Technical English

1 This course consolidates the very basic knowledge of the German language. The course will enable students to achieve Level A1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For this purpose, it will be very important for students to practise and to focus on Language (language awareness). There will be a constant contrastive reflection on language and intercultural approaches. Authentic supplementary material in the fields of Culture and Communication will be made available to students throughout the semester. By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

1.1 Understand (and answer) simple questions, information, news on the telephone, and short dialogues in everyday and professional situations.

1.2 Find relevant information in basic written texts.

1.3 Write short texts.

1.4 Introduce themselves and answer questions about themselves in a dialogue.

1.5 Be understood with some effort by native speakers and be able to understand them, as long as their partners speak slowly and clearly.

Syllabus:   Topic Areas:

1.The evolution of Humans and their relationship with the environment.

1.2.Environmental problems

1.2.1. Natural disasters

1.2.2. Man-made problems.

1. 2.3. Possible solutions to help save the planet

1.3.Energy sources

1.3.1. Renewable

1.3.2. Non-renewable

1. 3.3. Clean 

1.4. Energy efficiency

1.4.1. Responsible use of energy

1.4.2.  How to use and save energy

1.5. Sustainability

1.5.1. Ethical consumerism

1.5.2. Corporate responsibility

1.5.3. Business environment

1.5.4. Fair trade

1. 5.5. Eco-tourism

  2. English Grammar

2.1. sentence construction- affirmative, negative, interrogative;

2.2.expansion of vocabulary through affixation;2.3.formal/technical language: active and passive voice;3.4.verb tenses and their use to convey specific meaning;

2.3..formal/technical language: active and passive voice;

2.4.verb tenses and their use to convey specific meaning;  

2.5.acquisition and use of specific jargon and other vocabulary related to environmentalism and sustainability.

2.6.prepositions; connectors and other linking devices for complex sentences;

Suggested Bibliography:

AAVV, Modern English Teacher, Abril de 2004, Nº 2, volume 13
AAVV, Passatempos de Inglês, 3º Volume, Porto, Porto Editora, 2003
ALEXANDER, L.G., Longman English Grammar Practice for intermediate students, Hong Kong, Longman, 1990
BRIEGER,N.;POHL,A. Technical English Vocabulary and Grammar, National Geographic Learning/ Cengage Learning, 2012

CASE, Doug, English Puzzles: 50 Puzzles and Games for practising Your English (1,2,3), Heinemann,1990 (M&A Thomson Ltd, Scotland)
COWTHER, Jonathan (ed), Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2000
DAVIES, Helen, e Holmes, Françoise, Dicionário de Inglês para Principiantes, Verbo, 1998 (Usborne publishing)
FERNANDES, Mª do Amparo, e Domingues, Mª Emília, Saber Inglês, Porto,  Edições ASA, 2001
GAIRNS, R. e Redman, S., True to Life ? English for Adult Learners, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (class book and work book), 1987
---------------, True to Life - Pre-intermediate- Personal Study Book and Class Book, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1998
GOWER, Roger, Grammar in Practice 1 to 6 ? Self-study Grammar Exercises, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006
GOWER, Roger, Vocabulary in Practice 1 to 6 ? Self-study Vocabulary Exercises, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2006
GRANGER, Collin, Play Games with English 1 ? Teacher?s Resource Book, Oxford, Heinemann Games Series, 1993
HADFIELD, Gill, Beginners? Communication Games, Oxford, Longman, 1988, Addison Wesley Longman, Ltd.
-----------------, Elementary Communication Games - A collection of games and activities for elementary students of English, Oxford, Longman, 1997, Addison Wesley Longman Ltd.
McCARTHY, Michael, and O?Dell, Felicity, English Vocabulary in Use (upper-intermediate and advanced) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1999
McCARTHY, Michael, and O?Dell, Felicity, Grammar for Business (upper-intermediate and advanced) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2009
MURPHY, Raymond, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1987

              MYLES, Jane (ed.), Timesaver Games, Mary Glasgow Magazines
              -----------, Get the Picture, Mary Glasgow Magazines

POWELL.D, WALKER.E, ELSWORTH,S., Grammar Practice for Upper Intermediate Students, Pearson Longman,2017
REDMAN, Stuart, English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate and intermediate), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1997

ROBBINS,S., Collins Cobuild Business Vocabulary in Practice, The University of Birmingham, 2006

Student?s assessment comprises one written exam (50%) , an oral exam (30%), attendance and participation in the activities during the lessons (10%) and work submitted (10%). All the work assigned during the semester is exam-relevant and home assignments are compulsory. In the resit phase students will have to take  a written exam (70%) , and an oral exam (30%).