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UNIcert English: Zertifikatsstufen 2 and 3

Level 2

As the majority of our students are grouped into level two (below CEF level B2) and, moreover, have to attend compulsory English courses, the focus lies on English for professional and, particularly, specific purposes. The learners are confronted with subject-specific situations and activities and have to act in a variety of study- and job-related communicative tasks. In addition, considerable revision of basic grammar and vocabulary is necessary although most of this needs to be done as individual/private study. In this combination the relatively low level offers good support to weaker students and allows them to gain more competence and confidence in a number of situations related to their future jobs. What is more, the successful completion of Z2 provides a sound basis for further studies in English at Z3 level.

 

Z2M1 Study-related Standard Situations (4 LVS)

The in-house course material has been compiled to cover the most relevant study-related situations and tasks. The material comprises 4 units including texts and tasks together with grammar exercises.
A grammar appendix (part 1) provides more tuition and exercises to be dealt with mainly as self-study units with key to all exercises.

General objectives: develop and consolidate language skills and vocabulary needed in a range of study-related communicative standard situations and to start simulating situations and activities which may have to be performed in a firm (practical period or traineeship) or at university abroad.

topics
universities, career planning, intercultural communication, science and technology

skills
writing: paragraph writing, coherence of texts (signaling devices), essay writing (balanced arguments), CV and cover letter
speaking: giving basic information about the course of studies, job description, career planning, experience abroad, general developments in science and technology (as related to their studies)

grammar areas

  • tenses
  • passive voice
  • adjective/adverb
  • direct and indirect questions
  • certainties and possibilities
  • word formation

 

Z2M2 Introduction to English for Specific Purposes (4 LVS)

In order to provide our learners with the lexical/functional tools necessary to read, understand and discuss their more specific subject matters some amount of streaming in the second module of the program is indispensable. As it is neither possible nor desirable to offer subject-specific courses, we aim at more homogeneous groups and divide the learners into two main target groups:
a) those studying social sciences such as sociology, psychology, history, political science, education, etc.
b) those studying a technical subject such as electrical or mechanical engineering, computer science or a natural science (here mathematics, physics or chemistry).

The module is split into two parts: a "contact" session of 2 SWS with the focus on speaking and listening. The topics are chosen on the basis of the target groups defined above (interdisciplinary texts and tasks). In addition, selected texts for listening comprehension via audio or video (reports, interviews, lectures) are used to make the learners acquainted with their subjects and to practise the pronunciation of their specific terminology (models of it).
Problematic grammar areas will be practised in class or individually (grammar app. part 2).
The second part of the course (2 SWS) is used for more individual reading projects in small groups (see reading project) and individual tuition by the teacher.

General objectives: introduction to English for specific purposes, reading study-specific texts (reading project), enlarging the general academic/scientific and subject-specific vocabulary and practising pronunciation

topics
a) technical
language and communication, launching a career, new technologies, safety risks of new technologies
b) humanities
language and communication, working life, evaluating modern technology, humans and humanity, globalisation

skills
reading: reading subject-specific texts for gist, inferring meaning
listening: introduction to academic and scientific presentations and discussions
writing: applications/C.V./ covering letter, describing professional profiles, summaries, describing processes, explaining facts and relationships
speaking: reporting/summarising facts and relevant information from scientific literature, practising pronunciation and intonation, describing processes, explaining facts and relationships

grammar
future tense forms, personal and impersonal passive, modals, conditional

A final oral and written examination completes the program (see UNIcert-Programm and Prüfungsordnung).

Level 3

General considerations

At this stage learners should be prepared for studying and working abroad as well as for fullfilling predictable professional tasks in their future career. This includes solving general job/subject- related tasks in oral and written communication.
These tasks and situations are:

  • ability to read and understand the subject-specific literature in the field
  • listening to lectures and discussions in the subject area
  • communicating in work-related situations such as giving product/service presentations in different formats as well as discussing problems and trends and negotiating strategies and proceedings
  • taking part in workshops and conferences
  • understanding different social systems and cultures (cultural studies USA and GB in the widest sense)

These tasks and objectives would also imply to focus on raising the intercultural awareness of learners, to discuss and interpret cultural differences and how to adapt to them. It also includes knowledge of general and subject-specific vocabulary and text types and the ability to adapt the writing to standardized text types.

 

Z3M1 Advanced English for Specific Purposes (4 LVS)

general objectives: to develop and enlarge the ability to talk about general scientific matter, explain relationships, cause and effect, to give presentations related to the students`subject areas

topics
lifelong learning, international students, describing products and trends, the world of work, advertising, genetic engineering

skills
writing: formal vs. informal texts, report, newspaper article, essay
speaking: giving presentations, describing trends and developments, explaining and discussing graphs and tables, taking part in follow-up discussions (polite forms of disagreement or criticism),

grammar
Although some specific grammar areas such as present perfect and past tense, gerund vs infinitive, passive are specifically dealt with, grammar is seen more as a continuous revision and awareness raising done when needs are observed (response to errors and problems revealed when marking essays etc).

 

Z3M2 Cultural Competence

Here, participants have a choice of courses with the focus on either Great Britain, the USA or Intercultural Competence (communicating in English as a lingua franca with speakers of English from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds).
The participants are required to give short presentations on one of the topics discussed in class which they have explored further through additional reading. In addition, the submission of a written paper is required.

a) Cultural Competence with a focus on the USA This class is set up around improving listening and speaking skills while observing various media portraying past and present life in the USA. The goal is to help students learn to understand American culture so that any future exposure to American language via film, news, TV, books, magazines, newspapers or even native speakers makes more sense. Topics covered include Geography; First settlers; American Indians; Western Expansion; Immigration; Pioneers and Friendliness; American English: dialects, PC language; The "other": ethnocentrism and racism; Education System: from kindergarten to graduate students; and Environmental Issues.

b) Cultural Competence with a focus on Great Britain This option provides a deeper insight into the social, historical and cultural differences between Germany and the UK.
General objectives: to explore the social and cultural features of British society, in particular social class, conventions and modes of interaction. Students are also given the opportunity to research a subject area of their choice for presentation in class.

c) Intercultural Communication This option is based on the increasing need for communication between non-native speakers of English and the use of English as a lingua franca in many business and academic situations.

General objectives: to provide students with the factual, social and linguistic competences required to communicate in an international environment.

The course covers the following aspects

  • sociological and psychological awareness of cultural differences, including a brief overview of the theories of Hofstede, Hall and Trompenaars.
  • Factual information on other cultures
  • Use of English as a lingua franca; "International English"
  • Practical communicative competence - do's and don'ts when communicating internationally.

Students will be given the opportunity to choose individual areas of interest for personal research and will hold a presentation and/or class discussion on their chosen subject.

 

Z3M3 Scientific-Technical / Humanities & Social Sciences / Business (4 SWS)

According to their subject fields, the participants choose either "Scientific-Technical" for students of scientific and/or technical subjects, "Humanities & Social Sciences" for students of humanities and/or social sciences and "Business" for students of business administration and/or economics.

A final oral and written examination completes the programme (see UNIcert-Programm and Prüfungsordnung).

Z3M3 Business: English for Careers and Management

Course Description

This four hours per week course is aimed at business students who have successfully completed the business English courses EW1 - EW4 and who wish to obtain the UNIcert Certificate Level III and / or seek an internship abroad and / or an international career.

The course has been designed to fill a gap in the business English programme taught at this institution and prepares students for their professional career by helping them to apply for a position in English. In the course students acquire and practise the specific communication skills and vocabulary needed when applying for a job in the English-speaking world. Participants are taken through the application process from analysing job adverts, writing convincing covering letters and flawless CVs, to job interview and assessment centre simulations.

Going beyond conventional expectations and an often intuitive approach to job applications, a careful analysis and frequent practice of key lexis central to the whole job application procedure will enable students to talk compellingly about experience, skills, knowledge, competencies, motivation and to write persuasive narratives. Throughout the course particular emphasis is placed on different national conventions as well as cultural and style differences in job applications. Students will go through the application process step by step looking at each stage not just from the perspective of applicants/candidates but also from that of recruiters and interviewers in order to develop an awareness of different perceptions and needs.

In the second part of the course students practise and extend their business English and communication skills they need in a globalized world of business by simulating a series of realistic management activities which they would be faced with in an English-speaking environment.

Requirements

To qualify for the course, students need to have completed the EW4 course with an overall grade of at least 3.0.

To qualify to take the final examination covering the four macro skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) it is essential to attend the course regularly (80%), give a 15-minute case-related presentation in class with a follow-up discussion, and submit a portfolio of written assignments based on course work of about 1,000 - 1,500 words during the semester.

Z3M3 Scientific-Technical

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for their academic and professional lives, which might include participating in workshops and conferences, writing articles, papers and reports, presenting findings, leading and contributing to discussions as well as engaging in small talk.

As these activities require very special skills in written and oral communication, we will focus on differences between formal and informal expression in academic prose, correspondence and discussions.

Since the main focus is writing and presentation skills, it may be advisable to consider doing one's presentation and academic paper on the same topic. As presentations are a key focus of Z3M1, we recommend checking your Z3M1 course packs as well as accessing review and/or supplementary materials for presentations (useful phrases, describing trends and tendencies, exercises) on our platform:

https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/sprachenzentrum/plattform/eng_z3m3.php

As practice in reading, speaking and listening as well as practical training for the oral exams, some articles will be provided during the course as springboards for group discussions.

Requirements

To qualify to take the final examination, it is necessary to attend the course regularly (80%) give a 15-minute presentation in class with a follow-up discussion and submit an extended research paper covering a chosen theme from a particular discipline of about 1,000-1,500 words.

Z3M3 Humanities and Social Sciences: English Academic Writing and Presentation Skills

This course comprises four teaching units per week and is aimed at students of the humanities and social sciences who are engaged in or about to embark on an academic career in these fields.

The Academic Writing component is designed to help students learn the skills necessary to write coherent, concise academic prose in the style, genre and register necessary for academic publication. Form and content will be equally important considerations. Researching, defining a topic, structuring an argument, writing an abstract, editing the final essay and citing sources appropriately will be dealt with in class and supported on the learning platform BABEL. The course will involve writing assignments, extra reading and review sessions for homework.

An extended research essay (1000 - 1500 words) covering a chosen theme from the students' particular discipline is to be developed and written during the course and submitted at the end of the semester. A pass grade in this assignment is a requirement for entry to the UNIcert® Level III examination.

The Presentation Skills component covers the skills necessary for subject-related academic presentations at conferences and defence of theses and dissertations. It includes advanced rhetorical skills such as voice production, pronunciation and intonation, body language, visual aids, the organisation of presentations, dealing with follow-up questions and managing discussions. Emphasis will be placed on practice, self-evaluation and group feedback.

This part of the course is completed by an oral presentation and follow-up discussion on a topic related to the students' fields of study. A successful performance is a requirement for entry to the UNIcert® Level III examination.

 

Anmerkungen zur Kursbelegung

Normalerweise können nicht zwei verschiedene Kurse in einem Programm im gleichen Semester belegt werden. Eine Ausnahme ist UNIcert Zertifikatsstufe III. Nach Absolvierung von Z3M1 (Advanced English for Specific Purposes) folgen die Kurse Z3M2 (Cultural Competence) und Z3M3 (Scientific Speaking and Writing) mit den drei Vertiefungsrichtungen. Diese beiden Kurse können parallel belegt werden, bzw. man könnte auch zunächst Z3M3 absolvieren und erst danach Z3M2. Diese Variante ist allerdings nicht empfehlenswert, weil gerade Z3M3 eine kompakte Vorbereitung auf die Zertifikatsprüfung beinhaltet. Die Prüfungsordnung lässt es aber auch zu, nach der Absolvierung von Z3M1 und Z3M3 (insgesamt 8 LVS) zur Zertifikatsprüfung zugelassen zu werden, weil damit mindestens die Hälfte aller nötigen Ausbildungsstunden absolviert wurden. Entscheiden Sie also gemeinsam mit den Lehrkräften, ob eine solche Variante für Sie empfehlenswert ist. Einige Studienordnungen, in denen Englisch auf dem Niveau der Zertifikatsstufe III obligatorisch ist, sehen ohnehin nur 8 LVS vor und schreiben die Zertifikatsprüfung nicht zwingend vor.

Diesen Studierenden geben wir aber bei erfolgreicher Teilnahme an den Kursen Z3M1 und Z3M3 die Möglichkeit, an der Zertifikatsprüfung teilzunehmen und das Zertifikat zu erwerben.