Course Code
B2
Course duration (face-to-face)
48 hours
Prerequisites
Placement test Level 5 / Course Level 4
Text Book
Adrian Doff, Craig Thaine, Herbert Puchta, Jeff Stranks, Peter Lewis-Jones
ENGLISH TYPE
British English
Cambridge English Empower is a general adult course that combines course content from Cambridge University Press with validated assessment from the experts at Cambridge English Language Assessment.
The Upper Intermediate Student's Book gives learners an immediate sense of purpose and clear learning objectives. It provides core grammar and vocabulary input alongside a mix of skills. Speaking lessons offer a unique combination of functional language, pronunciation and conversation skills, alongside video filmed in the real world. Each unit ends with a consolidation of core language from the unit and focuses on writing within the context of a highly communicative mixed-skills lesson. This version of the Student's Book does not provide access to the video, assessment package and online workbook. A version with full online access is available separately.
https://www.cambridge.org/us/cambridgeenglish/catalog/adult-courses/cambridge-english-empower/cambridge-english-empower-upper-intermediate-students-book?isbn=9781107468726&&format=PB
The course is designed according to the CEFR language descriptors below, and students at this level:
-
Can understand the main ideas of propositionally and linguistically complex speech on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
-
Can follow extended speech and complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar, and the direction of the talk is sign-posted by explicit markers.
-
Can keep up with an animated conversation but may find it difficult to participate effectively in a discussion with several expert speakers who do not modify their language in any way.
-
Can understand detailed instructions reliably.
-
Can read correspondence relating to their field of interest and readily grasp the essential meaning.
-
Can scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details.
-
Can quickly identify the content and relevance of news items, articles and reports on a wide range of professional topics.
-
Can understand specialized articles outside their field, provided they can use a dictionary occasionally.
-
Can obtain information, ideas and opinions from highly specialized sources within their field.
-
Can engage in extended conversation on most general topics in a clearly participatory fashion, even in a noisy environment.
-
Can convey degrees of emotion and highlight the personal significance of events and experiences.
In informal discussion at B2 learners can:
-
express their ideas and opinions with precision
-
evaluate alternative proposals
-
present and respond to complex lines of argument convincingly
-
account for and sustain their opinions by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments.
-
Can outline an issue or a problem clearly, speculating about causes or consequences, and weighing advantages and disadvantages of different approaches.
-
Can understand and exchange complex and detailed information and advice on the full range of matters related to their occupational role.
-
Can give a clear, detailed description of how to carry out a procedure.
-
Can carry out an effective, fluent interview, departing spontaneously from prepared questions, following up and probing interesting replies.
-
Can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to his field of interest.
-
Can develop an argument systematically with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail.
-
Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
-
Can deliver announcements on most general topics with a degree of clarity, fluency and spontaneity which causes no strain or inconvenience to the listener.
-
Can depart spontaneously from a prepared text and follow up interesting points raised by members of the audience, often showing remarkable fluency and ease of expression
-
Can take a series of follow up questions with a degree of fluency and spontaneity which poses no strain for either him/herself or the audience.
-
Can give a clear, prepared presentation, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view and giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
-
Can give a clear, systematically developed presentation, with highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail.
-
Can synthesize and report information and arguments from a number of sources.
-
Can write clear, detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences in clear connected text, following established conventions of the genre concerned.
-
Can use a variety of linking words and cohesive devices efficiently.
-
Can evaluate different ideas or solutions to a problem explaining the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
-
Can synthesize information and arguments from a number of sources.
-
Can write letters conveying degrees of emotion and highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences and commenting on the correspondent's news and views.
-
Can write an essay or report that develops an argument systematically with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail.
-
Can write a review of a film, book or play.
A student may withdraw from the program if he or she is absent for up to 25 percent of the course provided he/she does so within the time permitted for withdrawal which is during the first twelve weeks of the academic semester. If the absence exceeds 25 percent, a student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course and will not be permitted to attend lectures or sit the final examination and will receive a failing grade of 'F' on the course. The student shall be given at least one warning before being placed on the excluded list.