B2-C1 Interacting with Global Issues: Spoken English

Essentials

Registrations open from two weeks before the beginning of the semester of the university.

Date(s)

Thursday 17:15 - 19:00 MIS 10, room 2.01
Locations Université de Fribourg, Centre de langues
Duration

17.02.2025 - 30.05.2025
Costs

FREE for Unifr students and staff; CHF 500.– per semester for members of partner institutions
Type Séminaire - 3 ECTS
Language(s) English
Code I04.00026-SP25
Target audience

This course is for participants whose level corresponds to level B2 or C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Please only register if your level corresponds to the course. Participants of our partner institutions and Unifr employees can contact us to take a placement test if they are unsure of their level. Unifr students are automatically guided to the placement test when registering for a course on MyUnifr.

Content

Target audience
This course is open to all students and employees of the University of Fribourg and partner institutions. It is aimed at advanced speakers of English (min. B2+) who would like the opportunity to improve their oral skills in a convivial atmosphere while exploring different perspectives on a range of intellectually challenging topics.

Course contents and teaching method
The course will be highly interactive in nature requiring a high level of critical engagement. We address themes such as health care, education, enviornmental issues and human rights. Students will have the opportunity to practice rhetorical skills during panel discussions and workshop style activities and to practice the appropriate language required to perform specific functions. There are assigned readings/videos to prepare for upcoming lessons. 

Workload and evaluation
Regular attendance and active participation is required to pass this course, as is the successful completion of all 4 assignments (there is no final exam).

1. Individual presentation 
2. Participation in a panel discussion 
3. Group Presentation 
4. Self-reflection 

Materials
Handouts are provided and all the course materials are available on Moodle. 

Goals

By the end of the course, you will have developed your ability to:

  • speak fluently and accurately
  • extract, evaluate and comment critically on information from images, dialogues and written texts
  • employ specialized vocabulary relating to specific topics
  • give advice and express opinions about complex and sensitive issues
  • converse with the aim of reaching a consensus
Prerequisite

The General Conditions for Participation in Language Courses apply. 

Responsible(s)

Hart Andrew