ENGLISH LABORATORY I

Course Description This workshop aims to develop basic communicative competence in English through practical and interactive language activities. The course introduces fundamental grammatical structures, essential vocabulary and communicative functions necessary for everyday communication and simple educational contexts. Particular attention is devoted to the development of the four main language skills: speaking listening, reading, interaction and a little bit of writing. The workshop also introduces basic elements of classroom communication in English, with reference to the role of English in primary school education. Learning Objectives The workshop aims to: • develop basic communicative competence in English • introduce essential grammatical structures and vocabulary • improve students’ ability to understand and produce simple spoken and written English • promote confidence in basic communicative interaction • introduce basic classroom language used in educational contexts. Expected Learning Outcomes By the end of the workshop students will be able to: • introduce themselves and provide basic personal information • understand simple instructions in English • describe daily routines and common activities • interact in simple communicative situations • understand short and simple written texts. Professional Skills for Future Teachers The workshop also contributes to the development of basic linguistic skills useful for future primary school teachers. Students will be introduced to: • basic classroom language in English • giving simple instructions and explanations to pupils • interacting with children in basic classroom situations • understanding simple teaching materials in English • using English in basic educational contexts. Children’s Literature and Storytelling As part of the workshop activities, students will be introduced to short texts from children’s literature, such as short stories, fairy tales and simple narrative texts. These activities aim to: • improve reading comprehension • develop vocabulary related to storytelling • introduce students to the use of stories as teaching tools in primary school English lessons. Course Contents The workshop will address the following linguistic and communicative topics: • Classroom language • Basic aspects of teaching English in primary school • The English alphabet, spelling and pronunciation • Greetings and introductions • Asking for and giving personal information • Numbers, dates and time expressions • Daily routines and habits • Describing family members and everyday activities • Vocabulary related to school and the educational environment. Grammar and Language Structures The workshop will introduce and practise the following grammatical structures: • Personal pronouns • Verb to be • Definite and indefinite articles • Adjectives of nationality • Cardinal and ordinal numbers • Possessive adjectives • Verb to have • Present Simple • Adverbs of frequency. Organisation of the Workshop Lesson Topics Grammar Focus Skills 1 Introduction; English in primary school Verb to be Speaking 2–3 Numbers, dates, personal information Cardinal and ordinal numbers Listening, Speaking 4–5 Introducing oneself and others Verb to be Speaking 6–7 Daily routines Present Simple Speaking 8–9 Family and possession Verb to have; possessive adjectives Speaking 10–11School environment and objects Present Simple Reading 12 Mock test and review Revision All skills Teaching Methodology The workshop adopts a Communicative Approach, combined with elements of the Humanistic-Affective Approach. Activities include: • guided grammar and vocabulary exercises • listening and reading comprehension activities • communicative tasks and role plays • pair work and group work • reading short passages from children’s literature. Assessment Students’ learning will be assessed through: Oral test • self-presentation • answering simple questions • basic communicative interaction. Teaching Materials Teaching materials will be provided by the instructor. Suggested textbooks: • English File Elementary – Oxford University Press • Murphy, R., Essential Grammar in Use – Cambridge University Press.