Advanced conversation & discussion
In addition to more informal and ad hoc talk, further practice in spoken English will largely focus on topic studies and student presentation.British Life, Culture & Institutions, and other Topics
Topics may be introduced by means of:1. Word Lists (e.g. education, politics, the media, the arts)
2. Audio and video tapes (e.g. Documentaries on Eton, The State Opening of Parliament, Northern Ireland, etc.)
3. Comprehension Texts set for homework study. Preparation will often be done in groups with each group preparing a different text and reporting back.
4. An individual or group of students may introduce a topic as a presentation.
Popular British topics include education, politics, law and order, Northern Ireland, the media, work and unemployment, Britishness, social class, minorities and racism. Among the more general topics are feminism, environmental issues, holidays and travel, the Third World, Europe, advertising, shopping, and literary & historical topics.
Students will be encouraged throughout to make comparisons with their own countries.
Student talks or presentations
You will prepare a short talk on a chosen topic to be followed by questions and discussion. Your presentation will be informal and prepared with notes only.Sometimes visits can be arranged to complement work done in class, for example, to the Magistrates' Court in Bath or a local school.
Students on the A3 and A5 courses can take full advantage of this option. Those on the AT3 and AT5 with translation and those on the A2 Crash Course will cover 6 to 10 topics within the context of their course work, but will have little time to prepare individual presentations. However, anyone interested may choose to do one.
Students wishing to do some background reading can consult the following books:
Mc Dowall, D., Britain in Close-up, Longmans, 1999.
Mascull, B. Key, Words in the Media, Harper Collins, 1995.
O'Driscoll, J., Britain, Oxford University Press, 1999.
Paxman, J., The English, Michael Joseph, 1998.
Essay Writing
The courses will cover general essay writing, although you may write a literary essay if you wish. Students on the various courses may choose to write up to the following number of essays; AT3 (one), A3 (three), AT5 (two), A5 (four).The amount of time spent in class on the formal discussion of essay writing techniques will depend on the level of interest. It is emphasised that your essay writing will improve mainly through actually writing the essays and receiving the tutor's subsequent individual corrections and comments.
The titles and length of proposed essays must be agreed beforehand with your tutor. You are welcome to select topics that provide useful practice for the general essay requirements at your home university.
Literary Appreciation
This option applies to A3, AT5 and A5.We shall discuss one or more short stories, poems or literary extracts and consider their literary as well as their language interests.
Students who wish to do some background reading are recommended to read a selection from:
"The Penguin Book of Modern British Short Stories", edited by M. Bradbury,
"The Penguin Book of English Short Stories" edited by C. Dolley.
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