First Foreign Language I, English
Code: 101164Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Eric Ortega Fernández
- Email :
- eric.ortega@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Eric Ortega Fernández
- Caroline Marie Thompson
- Marc Guillo Vila
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
1. TOURISM DEGREE: The students on the Tourism Degree will have to accredit a B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) by the end of their studies.
There are no specific entry requirememts but level B1 of the CEFR is recommended.
2. TOURISM DEGREE IN ENGLISH: The students on the Tourism Degree in English will have to accredit a C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) by the end of their studies.
There are no specific entry requirements, but a B2 level of the CEFR is recommended.
Objectives
Objectives
The main objective of this course is to develop students' basic communicative competence in English through the acquisition of both general language knowledge and language specific to the tourism sector. The course constitutes the first stage of the degree's language learning pathway and aims to provide students with a solid foundation that will enable them to progress successfully through subsequent English modules and towards the language proficiency level required for their degree programme.
Throughout the course, students will develop the communicative competences necessary to:
- Understand and use appropriate social interaction formulas in both formal and informal contexts.
- Describe people, places, objects and situations.
- Give instructions and explain simple procedures.
- Narrate events, personal experiences and everyday situations.
- Understand spoken and written texts on general topics and introductory tourism-related topics.
- Identify the main ideas and relevant details in spoken and written texts.
- Write descriptions, articles and short informative texts.
- Produce instructions, guidelines and other functional texts.
- Read and produce simple texts related to the tourism industry.
- Read and write semi-formal and formal emails.
- Deliver short oral presentations on general and tourism-related topics.
- Participate in simple discussions and debates.
- Produce promotional materials such as brochures and leaflets.
Skills
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Consolidate the grammatical, lexical and phonological foundations required for effective communication in English.
- Develop strategies for understanding and producing spoken and written texts.
- Communicate confidently in everyday situations and in introductory tourism-related contexts.
- Work collaboratively and participate actively in group activities.
- Organise and manage their time effectively.
- Resolve questions and learning difficulties independently using appropriate learning resources.
- Reflect on their own learning process and apply strategies that foster the continuous development of their language competence.
Learning outcomes
- CM01 (Design tourism-related projects and presentations in a first and second foreign language that take into account the sector’s sustainability principles.) Design tourism-related projects and presentations in a first and second foreign language that take into account the sector’s sustainability principles.
- CM02 (Autonomously construct oral and written discourse adapted to the level required in a first and second foreign language in the sector.) Autonomously construct oral and written discourse adapted to the level required in a first and second foreign language in the sector.
- CM03 (Prepare academic work in formats matching the demands and style of tourism companies, taking into account the gender perspective.) Prepare academic work in formats matching the demands and style of tourism companies, taking into account the gender perspective.
- KM01 (Identify existing communication vocabulary of tourism companies in a first and second foreign language.) Identify existing communication vocabulary of tourism companies in a first and second foreign language.
- KM02 (Identify existing grammatical forms in tourism companies’ communication in a first and second foreign language.) Identify existing grammatical forms in tourism companies’ communication in a first and second foreign language.
- SM01 (Hold a conversation appropriate to the level of the interlocutor.) Hold a conversation appropriate to the level of the interlocutor.
- SM02 (Use the idiomatic particularities that the tourism sector requires in a first and second foreign language.) Use the idiomatic particularities that the tourism sector requires in a first and second foreign language.
- SM03 (Conduct presentations and oral discussions using vocabulary and a level appropriate to the sector.) Conduct presentations and oral discussions using vocabulary and a level appropriate to the sector.
Contents
1. TOURISM DEGREE
Language functions
The following language functions include both general communicative skills and functions specific to the tourism industry.
- Structuring and delivering extended spoken discourse on general and tourism-related topics.
- Managing conversations effectively, including opening, maintaining and closing interactions.
- Expressing agreement and disagreement appropriately.
- Giving and responding to compliments.
- Making suggestions and recommendations.
- Participating in conversations with classmates, lecturers and clients on general and tourism-related topics.
- Expressing obligation, prohibition and permission.
- Talking and writing about past experiences, present situations and future plans.
- Describing people, travellers, destinations, tourist attractions and leisure activities.
- Comparing destinations, accommodation, services and travel experiences.
- Communicating effectively in both spoken and written English using an appropriate register.
Grammatical contents
Students should be able to recognise and use appropriately, according to the communicative situation, the following grammatical structures:
- Narrative tenses.
- Question formation.
- Future forms and conditional structures.
- Perfect and continuous aspects.
- Present perfect simple and continuous.
- Structures expressing obligation, prohibition and permission.
- Used to and would.
- Comparative and superlative structures.
- Modal verbs.
- Linking devices and discourse markers.
Lexical contents
The lexical contents focus primarily on the following areas:
- Adjectives for describing people, events and places.
- Challenges, achievements and problem-solving.
- Skills and personal qualities.
- Expressions with make, get, face, up and as.
- New technologies.
- Wildlife and the natural environment.
- Holidays and travel experiences.
- Tourism trends.
- Leisure and recreational activities.
- Technology in the tourism industry.
- Customer service and professional communication.
Written production
Students will make use of the language functions, grammar and vocabulary described above and will specifically develop written communication through:
- Discursive opinion articles.
- Descriptive articles based on data and statistics.
- Informative texts providing guidelines or instructions.
- Promotional texts for tourism products, destinations or attractions.
- Formal and semi-formal emails.
2. TOURISM IN ENGLISH DEGREE
Language functions
The following language functions include both general communicative skills and functions specific to professional contexts within the tourism industry.
- Expressing emotions and attitudes appropriately.
- Speculating and drawing conclusions.
- Making decisions and justifying them.
- Analysing, evaluating and comparing ideas and situations.
- Presenting information clearly and coherently.
- Negotiating and reaching agreements.
- Introducing and supporting arguments in discussions and debates.
- Debating proposals and suggestions.
- Persuading and influencing others.
- Using emphasis effectively.
- Promoting oneself and presenting personal strengths.
- Demonstrating politeness and diplomacy in professional interactions.
- Managing professional interactions with clients and colleagues.
- Presenting and promoting tourism destinations, services and experiences.
Grammatical contents
Students should be able to recognise and use appropriately, according to the communicative situation, the following grammatical structures:
- Multi-word verbs and phrasal verbs.
- Cleft sentences.
- Inversion after negative adverbials.
- Advanced tense and aspect.
- Structures expressing politeness and formality.
- Advanced modal verbs.
- Relative clauses.
- Participle clauses.
- Discourse markers and cohesive devices.
- Conditional structures.
Lexical contents
The lexical contents focus primarily on the following areas:
- Globalisation.
- Cities and urban development.
- Feelings and emotions.
- Advertising and consumer behaviour.
- Statistics and data interpretation.
- Business and finance.
- Careers in the tourism industry.
- Sources and trends in tourism.
- Hospitality and customer service.
- Professional communication.
Written production
Students will make use of the language functions, grammar and vocabulary described above and will specifically develop written communication through:
- Reports.
- Articles.
- Descriptive texts.
- Formal emails.
- Opinion and argumentative texts.
- Professional correspondence related to tourism.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non classroom-based | 55 | 2.2 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02 |
| Tutorials | 8 | 0.32 | CM01, KM01, KM02 |
| Classes | 56.5 | 2.26 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02, SM03 |
| Theory | 10 | 0.4 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM02 |
| Activities | 10 | 0.4 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM02 |
Language of instruction: English
Students are expected to use English actively both during class and in the activities carried out outside the classroom in order to develop their communicative competence in contexts that closely reflect real-life situations and the tourism industry.
The course follows a communicative, student-centred approach. The teacher designs and promotes activities that encourage students to participate actively in the learning process while fostering learner autonomy, collaborative work and the practical application of language knowledge.
Depending on the needs of each group and the learning objectives, one or more of the following methodologies may be used:
- Presentation and consolidation of grammar and vocabulary.
- Discovery learning and noticing techniques.
- Individual, pair and group communicative tasks.
- Problem-solving and decision-making activities in communicative contexts.
- Role plays and simulations of real-life situations related to everyday life and the tourism industry.
- Debates, discussions and oral presentations based on general and tourism-related topics.
- Analysis and discussion of authentic materials (articles, videos, podcasts, TED Talks, etc.).
- Revision and consolidation activities using digital tools (e.g. Kahoot or similar applications).
- Production of written texts based on models and a variety of communicative situations.
- Self-correction, peer assessment and learner autonomy strategies.
- Project-based and context-based learning activities related to the tourism sector.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-term test | 12% | 1 | 0.04 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02, SM03 |
| Speaking and writing activities | 24% | 2 | 0.08 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02, SM03 |
| Attitude and participation | 10% | 0 | 0 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02 |
| Final exam | 40% | 2.5 | 0.1 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM01, SM02, SM03 |
| Final Project | 14% | 5 | 0.2 | CM01, CM02, CM03, KM01, KM02, SM02, SM03 |
1. ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR THE TOURISM DEGREE
Continuous Assessment
To follow the continuous assessment system, students must attend at least 80% of the face-to-face classes.
Structure of Continuous Assessment
Continuous assessment is based on a range of assessment activities designed to evaluate the progressive development of students' language competence.
The assessment components are as follows:
- Participation and engagement (10%): attendance, active participation, involvement in classroom activities and collaborative work will be assessed.
- Written and oral production tasks (24%): throughout the semester, students will complete a range of individual and group speaking and writing tasks. Lecturers may require students to revise or rewrite selected tasks for formative purposes.
- Mid-term tests (12%): one or more written and/or oral tests will be administered during the semester, following a format similar to that of the final examination.
- Final project (14%): students will complete an integrative project designed to assess the different language skills developed throughout the course.
- Final examination (40%): this consists of a written examination and an oral examination assessing the communicative competences acquired during the course.
The final mark will be calculated by weighting the marks obtained in the continuous assessment activities (60%) and the final examination (40%).
To pass the course, students must obtain an overall minimum score of 60%.
Single Assessment
Students wishing to opt for the single assessment system must submit their request to the Academic Administration Office within the deadlines established by UAB academic regulations.
The single assessment consists of:
- Two writing tasks.
- One oral examination.
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum score of 60%.
The final mark for students opting for the single assessment system will be based entirely (100%) on the result obtained in this assessment.
Resit Assessment
Students who have not passed either the continuous assessment or the single assessment may take the resit examination, provided that they meet the requirements established by current academic regulations.
The resit examination consists of:
- A written examination (one or two writing tasks).
- An oral examination.
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum score of 60%.
The final mark recorded in SIGMA will be the mark obtained in the resit examination, expressed on a 10-point scale.
2. ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR TOURISM IN ENGLISH
Continuous Assessment
To follow the continuous assessment system, students must attend at least 80% of the face-to-face classes.
Structure of Continuous Assessment
Continuous assessment is based on a range of assessment activities designed to evaluate the progressive development of students' language competence.
The assessment components are as follows:
- Participation and engagement (10%): attendance, active participation, involvement in classroom activities and collaborative work will be assessed.
- Written and oral production tasks (24%): throughout the semester, students will complete a range of individual and group speaking and writing tasks. Lecturers may require students to revise or rewrite selected tasks for formative purposes.
- Mid-term tests (12%): one or more written and/or oral tests will be administered during the semester, following a format similar to that of the final examination.
- Final project (14%): students will complete an integrative project designed to assess the different language skills developed throughout the course.
- Final examination (40%): this corresponds to the Multilevel Exam developed by the UAB Language Service, which is administered at the School of Tourism and Hotel Management and assesses the four language skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking).
The final mark will be calculated by weighting the marks obtained in the continuous assessment activities (60%) and the Multilevel Exam (40%).
To pass the course, students must demonstrate a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Passing the examination entitles students to obtain the official certificate issued by the UAB Language Service, recognised by the Government of Catalonia.
Single Assessment
Students wishing to opt for the single assessment system must submit their request to the Academic Administration Office within the deadlines established by UAB academic regulations.
The single assessment consists of taking the Multilevel Exam developed by the UAB Language Service, which is administered at the School of Tourism and Hotel Management and assesses the four language skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking).
To pass the course, students must demonstrate a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The final mark for students opting for the single assessment system will be based entirely (100%) on the result obtained in the Multilevel Exam.
Passing the examination entitles students to obtain the official certificate issued by the UAB Language Service, recognised by the Government of Catalonia.
Resit Assessment
Students who have not passed either the continuous assessment or the single assessment may take the resit examination, provided that they meet the requirements established by current academic regulations.
The resit examination consists of a new Multilevel Exam developed by the UAB Language Service, which is administered at the School of Tourism and Hotel Management and assesses the four language skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking).
To pass the course, students must demonstrate a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The final mark recorded in SIGMA will be the mark obtained in this examination, expressed on a 10-point scale.
Passing the examination entitles students to obtain the official certificate issued by the UAB Language Service, recognised by the Government of Catalonia.
Final Grade
For students following the continuous assessment system in the Tourism Degree, the final mark will be calculated by weighting the continuous assessment activities (60%) and the final examination (40%).
For students following the continuous assessment system in the English-medium Tourism Degree, the final mark will be calculated by weighting the continuous assessment activities (60%) and the Multilevel Exam (40%), provided that students demonstrate a B2 level.
For students following the single assessment system, the final mark will be based entirely (100%) on the result obtained in the corresponding examination.
Students who do not attend the final examination, or who complete less than 50% of the assessment activities, will receive the grade Absent (NP), in accordance with current academic regulations.
Plagiarism and cheating
In accordance with the current academic regulations, "in the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject."
Use of Artificial Intelligence
All assessment activities must be completed entirely by the student. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or technologies is not permitted in any assessment activity in this course, whether as part of continuous assessment or the single assessment option.
The use of AI tools, either wholly or partially, to produce any assessment activity will be considered academic misconduct and will be subject to the current regulations on plagiarism and academic dishonesty set out in the previous section.
Bibliography
Course book
- Course book for students who are doing the Tourism degree. English for International Tourism - Upper Intermediate (Pearson)
- Course book for students who are doing the Tourism Degree in English. English for Tourism and Hospitality (Garnet)
English for Tourism
English for International Tourism Upper Intermediate (Pearson) Peter Strutt
Highly Recommended (Oxford) Trish Scott and Alison Pohl
Dictionary
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com (amb pronunciació)
Grammar
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
Vocabulary
https://elt.oup.com/student/oefc/tourism2/?cc=global&selLanguage=en&mode=hub
https://elt.oup.com/student/oefc/tourism3/?cc=global&selLanguage=en&mode=hub
http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/t-glossary.html
http://www.englishformyjob.com/ell_hotelindustry.html
http://www.englishformyjob.com/ell_traveltourism.html
Listening
https://es.englishcentral.com/videos
https://es.lyricstraining.com/
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
Listening -British English:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
https://www.youtube.com/user/bbclearningenglish
https://www.facebook.com/bbclearningenglish.multimedia/
https://www.voicetube.com/channel/bbc/5
http://bbcworldservice.radio.net/
Listening -American English:
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/
Listening -Australian English:
http://www.australiaplus.com/international/learn-english-video-courses/
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/learn-english
Writing
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/sitemap/
Exam preparation
http://wuster.uab.es/ctestpractice/
Tourism themes
http://www.tandtpublishing.co.uk/latest-travel-and-tourism-industry-news.html
https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/hotels-and-travel-lodgings
http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Articles
https://www.facebook.com/Future-Tourism-183808708656225/
http://www.coolkidfacts.com/geography/
Software
.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | English | annual | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 2 | English | annual | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 3 | English | annual | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 4 | English | annual | morning-mixed |