TRA1222 English Enhancement Series
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The module is designed to equip students with the necessary skills to develop their own mastery of the written and spoken English language, its idioms, phrases and different styles. These necessary skills enable students to translate from Chinese into English and to provide English language services as a translator. We develop insight into what is generally understood to be “good” English by in-depth analysis of different English writing styles, aspects of rhetoric, correct grammatical usages and English pronunciation. We also critically evaluate aspects of the “good” English spoken in selected film clips to develop the students’ confidence in English pronunciation and presentation skills. Gaining such insights into what is generally understood to be “good” written and spoken English enables students to perform English writing and translation tasks at a sufficiently high level that they can move forward to the ultimate goal of providing professional English language services in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. expand their active use of English vocabulary, idioms and phrases; 20%
b. recognize the different stylistic techniques used in written English, and interpret and evaluate the effect of the different stylistic techniques on the reader;
c. recognize the different stylistic techniques used in spoken English, and evaluate the effect of the different stylistic techniques on the listener;
d. demonstrate a high level of written and spoken English skills, with emphasis on clarity of meaning and correct grammar usage; and
e. apply these resources in writing and translation tasks.
1. Overview
1.1 Critical reading of samples of English writing
1.2 Development of English writing skills
1.3 Development of listening and comprehension skills
1.4 Development of presentation and speaking skills
2. Critical reading of samples of English writing skills with a focus on
2.1 Analytical reading
2.2 Critical analysis of style and idiom
3. Development of English writing skills
3.1 Accuracy
3.2 Clarity
3.3 Incorporation of course concepts and content into own writing style
3.4 Incorporation of near-native grammar
4. Development of listening and comprehension skills
4.1 Accuracy
4.2 Clarity
4.3 Demonstration of understanding of course concepts and content
4.4 Near-native oral expression
1. In-class exercises (25%)
2. Oral presentation(15%)
3. Essay (25%)
4. Test (25%)
5. Participation (10%)
1. Aarts, Bas (2011). Oxford Modern English Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2. Eastwood, John (1994). Oxford Guide to English Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3. Gowers, Ernest (1987). The Complete Plain Words. 3rd rev ed. London: Penguin.
4. Greenbaum, Sidney (1996). The Oxford English Grammar. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
5. Johnson, Edward D (1991). The Handbook of Good English. New York: Washington Square Press. (online)
6. Partridge, Eric (1997). Usage and Abusage: A Guide to Good English. Rev ed. London: WW Norton & Company.
Online resources
1. Oxford Dictionaries.com https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar
2. Purdue Online Writing Law Purdue Owl
3. Grammar Exercises from Faculty of Arts, the University of Bristol
4. Grammar Monster
