A. Subject specific

1. Knowledge of English grammar: syntactic structures, verb tenses, concord, etc.

2. Awareness of the grammatical differences between varieties, e.g. British and American.

3. Awareness of the essential grammatical differences between English and Catalan/Spanish.

4. Awareness of the state of English in the modern world, especially as a language for international communication. The effects of widespread use on the validity of grammatical and lexical rules.

5. Awareness of the appropriateness of different registers in written and spoken language.

6. Ability to understand and use as large a vocabulary as possible.

7. Awareness of the lexical differences between varieties.

8. Knowledge of the history, geography and culture of the different English-speaking countries.

B. Personal

1. Ability to work in a group using English as the language of communication.

2. Analytical reading for translation, i.e. having a full grasp of all aspects -grammatical, lexical, cultural - of the source text.

3. Research skills: using documentary and other sources.

A. Grammar and lexis

1. Revision of key problems of English grammar arising from fundamental differences with Catalan/Spanish.

2. Manipulating language: exercises involving rewriting English sentences without changing the meaning to raise awareness of the different structural and lexical options as a prelude to translating.

3. Essential structure: exercises designed to raise awareness of how the language is constructed.

4. Text analysis: reading and commenting on texts chosen to illustrate specific grammatical, lexical or cultural points of the kind likely to create problems in translation.

5. Synonyms and antonyms.

6. Rhetorical devices: simile, metaphor, metonymy, etc. Identifying, exemplifying, explaining and considering from the point of view of translation.

B. Active skills

1. Reading: a wide variety of text types designed to raise awareness of the possibilities of written discourse.

2. Writing

- summaries of and commentaries on the texts used in class: group work.

- extended writing based on the texts: individual work.

3. Speaking

- summaries of and commentaries on the texts used in class: group work.

- discussion of issues raised by the texts.

4. Listening:  interacting with the group. How to listen, how to respond, how to avoid misunderstanding.

The final mark for the course will be calculated from:

- 2 pieces of written work based on texts used in the seminar groups (20 points awarded to each piece)

- a final exam in two sections (60 points):

            - Grammar: exercises of the kind done in Grup Gran sessions (40 points)

            - Writing: one composition based on the sample discourses seen in Seminar sessions (20 points)