Verbal Communication Objectives
- Speaking
- Can summarise clearly and precisely the arguments and event descriptions from a complex text
- Can naturally use idiomatic language (e.g. keep our minds open) to express an attitude, opinion or idea.
- Can shift between formal and informal registers using idiomatic language when appropriate
- Listening
- Can understand long, linguistically complex discourse (e.g., newscasts, lectures) on a range of political, environmental, and social issues
- Can follow a register shift in a conversation between two or more native speakers
Vocabulary Objectives
- Can use advanced language related to the environment and wildlife (canyons, deserts, moose, elk, etc)
- Can use general language related to biology
- Can use formal and informal registers (Mr. John Smith passed away last week. John kicked the bucket a few days ago.; I suggest we begin the show now. Let's get started.; Could you please take your seat? Why don't you sit down?)
Grammar Objectives
- Can consistently use appropriate features of formal written language (increased use of nouns; impersonal and relative pronouns; passive voice, etc)
- Can switch between phrasal verbs and more formal alternatives appropriately
- Can use a range of cleft sentences in the present, past and future. (The fact is; What it means is; What we’ll do is; What we did in the end was, etc.)
- Can consistently use the appropriate register of vocabulary. (sick/unwell; go to/attend a meeting; tell/inform; want/would you like, etc.)
- Can fully recognise and form adjectives from common suffixes (e.g. y, ful, able, less)
- Can give more information about a noun using an infinitive rather than a relative clause.
Written Communication Objectives
- Reading
- Can synthesize information from different sources in order to give a written or oral summary.
- Can understand idiomatic expressions in structured text
- Writing
- Can smoothly switch between a range of writing styles to address specific audiences and topics in a personal way.