PSBB043 Professional English for Psychologists

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tatiana Malatincová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Tatiana Malatincová, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jarmila Valchářová
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Arts
Timetable of Seminar Groups
PSBB043/01: Mon 12:00–12:50 B2.13, T. Malatincová
PSBB043/02: Mon 13:00–13:50 B2.13, T. Malatincová
Prerequisites
The course requires proficiency in the English language at the minimum level of B1-B2 for reading comprehension. It is not suitable for beginners.
Students will be divided into two seminar groups based on proficiency level. However, students are allowed to attend sessions for both seminar groups.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The purpose of the course is to help students develop their reading comprehension skills in English languauge, especially those needed for effective and efficient work with academic/scientific texts and correct translation of information in these texts into Czech/Slovak language contexts. This involves, among other things, acquisition of commonly used academic expressions, so that students can identify and use them correctly and quickly.
The course's principal emphasis is on reading skills that psychology students need for effective study and information processing (e.g. working with scientific articles, studying from international textbooks and monographs in English, etc.). It is therefore recommended especially for students who simply wish to enhance their study efficiency.
There is little room in the course for the development of speaking or listening proficiency. The course is therefore not intended as a preparation for study exchange or writing an academic thesis in English.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
- Process academic and scientific texts more efficiently and effectively by increasing their comprehension quality and speed;
- More readily anticipate and use common expressions found in academic and scientific texts in psychology and related disciplines;
- Translate common scientific expressions and formulations from English to Czech/Slovak more accurately while using standard language forms and avoiding "language contamination."

The course helps students raise their current level of language proficiency. A general level of proficiency to be attained by all students in the course is thus not determined.
Syllabus
  • I. Vocabulary development - common expression in academic texts in psychology: academic expressions; basic psychological terminology; introducing statements; basic methodological terminology; emphasis, contrast and linking; hedging; introducing subjective vs. general statements, etc.
  • II. Correct translation of English sentences and expressions to Czech/Slovak; common mistakes and problems.
  • III. Continuous practice - development of automatic recognition of common academic/psychological expressions and gradual increase in efficiency in reading comprehension.
Literature
  • It is recommended that students read as many relevant text in English language as possible to increase practice: psychological textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, etc.
  • Studentům se doporučuje číst co nejvíce relevantních textů v angličtině pro rozvoj slovní zásoby - učebnice, odborné články, odborné příručky.
Teaching methods
Web-based exercises based on authentic academic/scientific texts aimed at developing academic vocabulary in its standard use (gap filling; multiple-choice; error correction, etc.).
In-class instruction on correct usage and differentiation of common expressions in academic language.
Regular proficiency and reading efficiency tests.
Assessment methods
Colloquium. To pass the course, student need to complete the required number of electronic exercises in the ELF and attend the required number of classes. Students are expected to show improvement in the final test, which will be similar to the entrance test and to the regular in-class tests.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
The course is linked to an e-course in the ELF. The website will contain all the required and recommended materials and assignments.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2020/PSBB043