Course detail

English for University Study II

FSI-GEN2 Acad. year: 2027/2028 Summer semester

The course is designed for first-year students and combines language learning with the practical skills needed for successful study and future careers. Through authentic topics related to university study and professional life, it develops communication skills and key grammatical structures while expanding the vocabulary typically encountered in academic study and professional practice. Students are encouraged to use the language actively in spoken communication through interactive tasks, discussions, pair work and group work. They enhance their ability to describe, paraphrase, compare, argue and express their own views, as well as respond promptly in various communicative situations. At the same time, students' active involvement in lessons boosts their linguistic confidence, facilitates their adaptation to the demands of higher education and enables them to build transferable skills that can be utilised in their further studies.

Language of instruction

English

Entry knowledge

The prerequisite knowledge is equivalent to that achieved through standard secondary school curricula, and it builds on the material covered in the winter term. Therefore, it requires active use of the language skills, vocabulary and grammar covered in the GEN1 course.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Students are required to take a credit test at the end of the semester to demonstrate their ability to use the vocabulary and grammar covered during the semester. A maximum of 40 points can be achieved in the test and a minimum of 24 points is required for the credit to be awarded. The credit also reflects active participation in the seminars and completion of optional activities, which may be worth up to 4 points. In case of failure, there is a possibility for the student to resit the test once.

 

Attendance at seminars is compulsory and is systematically checked by the teacher. Students are allowed to miss two language seminars. In well-founded cases, extra absences can be made up for after consulting the situation with the teacher.

Aims

The course aims to develop students’ communication skills in English, particularly their ability to express themselves independently, clearly and confidently in situations relating to university studies, their own field of study and their future careers. At the same time, the course deepens students’ knowledge of key grammatical structures by practising them in authentic contexts and encouraging their active use in spoken interaction.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will:

  • be able to explain the basic concepts and interrelationships within the thematic areas of higher education, study strategies, and career prospects.
  • be able to describe various topics, such as factors for success, study strategies, motivation, interpersonal relationships, and community life.
  • have solid knowledge of key grammatical phenomena and understand how they are used in various communicative contexts.

A student who successfully passes the course can:

  • clearly present their field of study, experience and abilities, and explain their goals and plans for their university studies and future career.
  • clearly describe and recount events, experiences and situations from their personal, academic and professional lives, summarising key information in their own words.
  • formulate and defend their own views, compare different options, present arguments in a discussion and actively participate in a discussion, responding promptly to the views and suggestions of others.
  • describe solutions to various problems and justify proposals.
  • search for and critically evaluate information, distinguishing relevant information from misleading or unreliable claims.
  • use key grammatical structures and vocabulary typical of an academic environment actively and confidently.

Study aids

Study resources are available in the information system. The e-learning course uses the Moodle LMS and includes interactive exercises to help students practise and assess their understanding of the topics covered, and to support their independent study. The course also provides detailed information on the course content, study guidelines and supplementary materials, available to download.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-MAI-P: Mathematical Engineering, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-STI-A: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-VKP-P: Visual Communication in the Creative Industries, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-PRP-P: Professional Pilot, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-ENE-P: Energy, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-KSI-P: Mechanical Engineering Design, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-MET-P: Mechatronics, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-PDS-P: Industrial Design, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-FIN-P: Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology, Bachelor's, compulsory

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization AIŘ: Applied Computer Science and Control, compulsory

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization KSB: Quality, Reliability and Safety, compulsory

Programme B-ZSI-P: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization MTI: Materials Engineering, compulsory

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization SSZ: Machine and Equipment Construction, compulsory

Programme B-STR-P: Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization STG: Manufacturing Technology, compulsory

Programme B-ZSI-P: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization STI: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Language exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus

1. U5: Technology. Comparing advantages and disadvantages. Comparatives and superlatives.
2. U5: Describing a new concept. Question tags. 
3. U5: Problems and solutions.
4. U6: -ing/-ed adjectives. Real conditionals. 
5 U6:  Imagining alternatives. Hypothetical conditional: present/future. 
6. U6: Life events. Sharing news.
7. U7: Success. Verb phrases. Present perfect simple versus continuous.
8. U7: Skills, abilities. Present and past ability.
9. U7: Qualifications. Explaining and clarifying opinions. 
10. U8: Student accommodation, social situations. Articles and quantifiers.
11. U8: Online activities, flatshare. Relative clauses.
12. U8: Welcoming a visitor. Studying abroad.
13. Credit test.

Computer-assisted exercise

13 hours, optionally

Syllabus

Computer assisted language learning is an integral part of the course GEN2 and covers the topics and areas dealt with in the main part of the course. The use of authentic videos helps students to further practise and develop their language skills.