English 4B*.

1
Course guide

Program: BA. TEFL

Course title: English 4B*
Course code: 4B* (ENG4029*)
Course status: Core
Semester: 3
Weekly class hour: 200 minutes (4 periods)

1. General course information

English 4B* is a course of practical language skills. The course focuses on important learning strategies and
areas of the English language that are helpful for students who will take high-stakes language tests in the
future. The course is particularly targeted to learners of English as a foreign language at B2+ level in the
Common European Framework of Reference.

2. Course objectives
The course aims at familiarizing students with types of tasks common in high-stakes language tests and
introducing students to effective test-taking strategies. More specifically, after the course, students should
be able to…
1) In terms of knowledge of English lexico-grammar, pronunciation features, genres, and exam tasks (Bloom
taxonomy, Level 2)
O1-1 have a broad range of lexico-grammatical knowledge
O1-2 understand natural English pronunciation, with varying intonation and sentence stress
O1-3 recognize a wide range of idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms and register shifts;
O1-4 show familiarity with and confidence in handling a variety of language tasks present in different high-stakes
language tests.
2) In terms of communicative skills and exam strategies
O2-1 select appropriate language from a broad range to express themselves clearly with high degree of accuracy,
without having to restrict what they want to say (lexical and grammatical range); (Bloom L3)
O2-2 show a clear, natural pronunciation, and vary intonation and place sentence stress correctly in order to
express finer shades of meaning (phonological control); (Bloom L3)
O2-3 produce clear, smoothly flowing, well-structured speech, showing controlled use of organizational patterns,
connectors, and cohesive devices. (Bloom L4)
O2-4 adjust their writing with awareness of genres and registers (letters and personal correspondence, formal and
informal language); more specifically, adjust what they say and the means of expressing it to the situation and the
recipient and adopt a level of formality appropriate to the circumstances (flexibility) (Bloom L3)
O2-5 layout, paragraph, and punctuate their writing consistently to promote effective communication
(orthographic control); (Bloom L3)
O2-6 effectively apply strategies to enhance their exam performance, including time management, previewing
questions and reviewing answers, using contexts to make predictions, and paraphrasing. (Bloom L4)
3) In terms of ethics
O3-1 strictly comply with exam rules and codes of conduct.
3. Learning resources
3.1 Required resources
- English 4B* Course guide & Course book
- At least ONE reliable English-English dictionary, either paperback or online (such as those
published by Oxford, Cambridge, Longman, and Collins)
3.2 Recommended resources
- Authentic input (both written and recorded texts)
- Official guides to the latest versions of international English language tests (TOEFL, IELTS,
Cambridge First and Cambridge Advanced, TOEIC, etc.)
- A range of exam preparation materials published by trusted publishers (such as Oxford,
Cambridge, Collins, and Longman, etc.).

4. Course syllabus

4.1 Summary of course contents:

READING WRITING LISTENING SPEAKING

Finding specific information & 1- Formality in 1- Completing 1- Getting to know each
detail language; Exchanging forms/ tables other
1- Sentence/table completion personal updates in (details)
2- Matching details letters 2- Personal interview
3- True/false/not given 2- Completing questions:
2- Letters giving notes; Giving short a) Common topics &
Understanding main ideas advice/ answers to question types
4- Gapped summary recommendation/ questions (main + b) Extending responses
5- Matching headings feedback details) c) Expressing attitudes
and preferences
Following arguments 3- Letters of inquiries 3- Common
6- Matching opinions & requests mistakes in gap- 3- Individual long turn
7- Yes/no/not given completion tasks a) Introduction to task
4- Exam practice 1 types
Exam practice 4- Exam practice 1 b) Extending notes in a
5- Letters explaining task card
problems and 5- Matching / c) Describing objects,
suggesting solutions classifying (details) people, and places
d) Responding to follow-
6- Letters of complaint 6- Matching [main up questions
/ apology ideas + details +
inferences 4- Exam practice with
7 Exam practice 2 common topics
7- Exam practice 2
4.2 Course schedule:

Weeks Macro skills Focus Pages in Students’ Book

Introduction to the course

1-2 Speaking Ice-breaking activities

Reading Unit 1: Gapped sentences & tables 4

Listening Unit 1: Completing forms / tables 58

Speaking Unit 1: Introduction to Personal interview questions 95

Writing Unit 1: Introduction to letter writing in exams; Personal updates 138

3-4 Reading Unit 2: Matching details 10

Listening Unit 2: Completing notes; Short answers 65

Speaking Unit 2 Introduction to Individual long turn tasks 99

Topic 1 (Hobbies & Activities) 103 + 124

Writing Unit 2: Giving advice & recommendations 147

5-6 Reading Unit 3: True / False / Not given 18

Listening Unit 3: Common mistakes in gap-completion tasks 70

Speaking Topic 2 (Work, jobs & career) + Exam practice 1 106 + 125 + 120→122

Writing Unit 3: Making inquiries & requests 153

Reading Unit 4: Gapped summaries 26

7 (Optional: Unit 7 Exam practice Part 1) (44)

Listening Unit 4: Exam practice (1) 76

Speaking Topic 3 (Travel & Cities) 108 + 127

Writing Unit 4: Exam practice (1) 160

8 Mid-term revision

9 Mid-term test (no speaking component)

10-11 Reading Unit 5: Matching headings 31

Listening Unit 5: Matching details 80

Speaking Topic 4: Family & Relationships 112 + 130

Writing Unit 5: Explaining problems & Suggesting solutions 162

12-13 Reading Unit 6: Yes / No / Not given; Matching 37

Listening Unit 6: Matching main ideas; Inferences 86

Speaking Topic 5: Health & Fitness 115 + 133

Writing Unit 6: Apology & Complaint 165

14-15 Reading Unit 7: Exam practice 44

Listening Unit 7: Exam practice 91

Speaking Topic 6: Foods & Diets + Exam practice 2 118 + 135 + 123

Writing Unit 7: Exam practice 170

5. Assessment
Students must complete all of the following assessment items to be able to pass the course.

Activity Description Weighting Due

Week 9.
- This is a written test of Listening, Reading, and Writing
Students are
that covers all the contents of weeks 1 to 8.
to be
Mid-term tests - Successful test-takers are expected to perform at the 15 %
informed of
(L – R – W) B2 level (CEFR).
the exact
- A more detailed description of the test will be provided
date &
for students in week 5.
venues later.

- This is a written test of Listening, Reading, and Writing

that covers all the contents of weeks 10-15 (roughly
After week
70% of the test), and weeks 1-8 (roughly 30% of the
15. Students
test)
are to be
End-term test - There is also a separate speaking test that covers some 25 %
informed of
(L – R – W - S) contents of the speaking lessons in weeks 2-15.
the exact
- Successful test-takers are expected to perform at the
dates &
B2+ level (CEFR).
venues later.
- A more detailed description of the test will be provided
for students in week 14.

6. Policies & Guidelines

- Completion of all assessment items is a requirement for passing the course.

- Attendance in class is expected. Students who are absent from more than 20% of the lessons (~3
lessons or more) are not eligible for the end-term test, and thus cannot pass the course.