Language support is available for all registered
students in the Department of Business Administration of Food and
Agricultural Enterprises. Before the commencement of your English course
you will be assessed by sitting a Grammar Placement test and you will be
advised whether you need language support or not. Students who wish to
improve their grammatical and syntactical skills can attend classes held
every week. Please read the section on optional grammar course to get
information about the content of this course.
Optional Grammar course
All students who get a low score in the grammar
placement test are advised to attend the optional grammar course held each
week. Students have to register for the course in the English tutor's
office. The course will cover grammatical and syntactical patterns of
English. The course book for the course is the series published by Grivas Publications (2007) Grammar Steps 1-5.
Is your English really adequate?
Every student should have adequate study skills in
order to be able to attend the English courses offered at Agrinio in the Department of Business Administration of
Food and Agricultural Enterprises. You may think that your English is good
enough but when you attend the class you might find it hard to cope. You
may already passed different language examinations holding various language
certificates but even so, you will need help with adapting your language
skills to the needs of the new academic environment. Writing an academic
essay is totally different than writing a composition you used to write in
school or in frontistiria. Giving a presentation
is totally different than being able to interact with others on a daily
basis. It is really important that you should be aware of these differences
before the commencement of your English courses in Agrinio.
Differences between English courses
The teaching of the English language (ELT) is
divided into English for General Purposes (EGP) and English for Specific
Purposes (ESP). ESP is divided into English for Occupational/Vocational/
Professional Purposes (EOP/EVP/EPP) and English for Academic Purposes
(EAP). What distinguishes EAP from EOP/EVP/EPP is the fact that EAP is
mainly conducted in academic environments, especially tertiary education.
EAP is further divided into English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP)
and English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP). ESAP deal with the
teaching of the language components that differentiate one science from
others, for example medicine, economics etc
whereas EGAP deal with study skills needed to study any academic
discipline, for example note taking, academic writing, seminar skills etc.
Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages
The structure of all certificates in English and
other foreign languages is based on the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages. This is commonly abbreviated as CEF or CEFR. This
guideline describes achievements of foreign language learners across
Europe. According to the Council of Europe the CEFR sets up systems of
validation of language ability. There are six reference levels which are
accepted as the European standard for grading language proficiency. Please
read the following table which is taken from the Council of Europe web
site.
The Common European Framework divides learners
into three divisions which can be divided into six levels:
Common Reference levels: Global Scale
Level
|
Description
|
A1
|
Can understand and use familiar everyday
expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of
a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and
others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as
where he/she lives, people he/she know and things he/she has. Can
interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and
clearly and is prepared to help.
|
A2
|
Can understand sentences and frequently used
expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic
personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).
Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct
exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in
simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and
matters in areas of immediate need.
|
B1
|
Can understand the main points of clear standard
input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure
etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst traveling in an
area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on
topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe
experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give
reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
|
B2
|
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on
both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in hi/her field of specialization. Can interact with a
degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with
native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can
produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a
viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of
various options
|
C1
|
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer
texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself
fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for
expressions. Can use language flexibility and effectively for social,
academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured,
detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of
organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
|
C2
|
Can understand with ease virtually everything
heard or read. Can summarise information from
different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and
accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself
spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades
of meaning even in more complex situations.
|
Electronic resources
|