The structure and content of the syllabus

Section I (6 double periods)

Education system in Russia and English speaking countries

Section aim

• Learn about education systems in Russia and English speaking countries

• Practice key vocabulary by doing lexical exercises

• Develop students’ reading comprehension skills

• Develop students’ listening skills

• Develop students’ writing skills by writing short essays on the topics discussed

• Review and practice Word Order and the Present Simple Tense by doing grammar exercises

• Test students’ knowledge by doing the final presentation

№ of a double period	Content/activity
1	Active vocabulary
	Reading Text 1 “Education in Russia” (1000 type signs)
	Reading comprehension
2	Lexical exercise
	Speaking practice
3	Active vocabulary
	Listening Text 2 “Education in English speaking countries”
	Listening comprehension
4	Lexical exercise
	Speaking practice
5	Writing informal letters about different systems of education (on-line activity)
	Group discussion “Universities – the participants of the Tempus Joint European Project”
6	Presentation “My university” (on-line activity)
	Self-study materials

Section II (6 double periods)

Countries and cities (traditions, customs and holidays in Russia and English speaking countries)

Section aim

• Learn about Russia and English speaking countries

• Practice key vocabulary by doing lexical exercises

• Develop students’ reading comprehension skills

• Develop students’ listening skills

• Develop students’ writing skills by writing short articles on the topics discussed

• Review and practice the Present Simple and Present Continuous Tenses by doing grammar exercises

• Test students’ knowledge by doing the final presentation

№ of a double period	Content/activity
1	Active vocabulary
	Reading Text 1 “Russia” (1000 type signs)
	Reading comprehension
2	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
3	Active vocabulary
	Listening Text 2 “English speaking country”
	Listening comprehension
4	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
5	Writing an article about a native town (on-line activity)
	Group discussion “Holidays” (PBT)
6	Presentation “English culture” (on-line activity)
	Self-study materials

Section III (6 double periods)

Scientists (famous people)

Section aim

• Learn about prominent scientists in Russia and English speaking countries

• Practice key vocabulary by doing lexical exercises

• Develop students’ reading comprehension skills

• Develop students’ listening skills

• Develop students’ writing skills by writing short essays on the topics discussed

• Review and practice the Past Simple/Past Continuous Tenses by doing grammar exercises

• Test students’ knowledge by doing the final presentation

№ of a double period	Content/activity
1	Active vocabulary
	Reading Text 1 “Russian Scientists” (1000 type signs)
	Reading comprehension
2	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
3	Active vocabulary
	Listening Text 2 “Nobel prize winners”
	Listening comprehension
4	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
5	Group discussion “Role of science in the development of the society” (PBT)
	Writing an essay about contributions of a contemporary scientist into the world science (a problem-based task (PBT))
6	Presentation “Women in science” (on-line activity)
	Self-study materials

Section IV (6 double periods)

Computer

Section aim

• Learn about computer science

• Practice key vocabulary by doing lexical exercises

• Develop students’ reading comprehension skills

• Develop students’ listening skills

• Develop students’ writing skills by writing e-mail letters on the topics discussed

• Review and practice the Present Perfect Tense by doing grammar exercises

• Test students’ knowledge by doing the final presentation

№ of a double period	Content/activity
1	Active vocabulary
	Reading Text 1 “The history of computer science” (1200 type signs)
	Reading comprehension
2	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
3	Active vocabulary
	Listening Text 2 “Main computer components”
	Listening comprehension
4	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
5	Writing informal e-mail letters (a problem-based task (PBT))
	Group discussion “Advantages and disadvantages of IT” (PBT)
6	Presentation “Role of computer in modern society” (on-line activity)
	Self-study materials

Section V (6 double periods)

Career prospects

Section aim

• Learn about business correspondence

• Practice key vocabulary by doing lexical exercises

• Develop students’ reading comprehension skills

• Develop students’ listening skills

• Review and practice the Future Simple/Future Continuous Tenses by doing grammar exercises

• Develop students’ writing skills in preparing CVs and letters of application

• Test students’ knowledge by doing the final presentation

№ of a double period	Content/activity
1	Active vocabulary
	Text 1 “Types of business correspondence” (1500 type signs)
	Reading comprehension
2	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
3	Active vocabulary
	Listening Text 2 “Job interview”
	Listening comprehension
4	Lexical exercises
	Speaking practice
5	Writing letters of application and CVs on the given advertisements (a problem-based task (PBT))
	Group discussion “Principles of choosing a career.” (PBT)
6	Presentation “My future career” (on-line activity)
	Self-study materials

Examination/credit test (2 double periods)

40 minutes preparation – reading text

15 minutes presentation

5 minutes analysis

NOTES

According to the Communicative Approach we are including grammar part for self-study, but from the experience of our educational system we strongly recommend a specific attention on a grammar approach in a cognitive way. Here are some points to support it:

1. Huge difference between grammar structures of Russian and English (different branches);

2. Multileveled groups (from beginners to intermediate);

3. Low level of English at school (especially grammar skills);

4. Lack of practice.

Sometimes (11%), Russian is not a mother language for learners (multinational country), so it takes more efforts to get the purpose – students have to do double transfer (via their mother tongue).