Course detail

English for University Study I

FSI-GEN1Acad. year: 2026/2027

The course systematically combines general English with the practical skills necessary for successful study and a future career. Through authentic topics related to university study and future careers, it aims to enhance communication skills and understanding of key grammatical concepts, as well as expanding vocabulary.

Language of instruction

English

Assignment to study programme types

Bachelor's

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Foreign Languages (ÚJ)

Entry knowledge

The prerequisite knowledge is equivalent to the level achieved through standard secondary school curricula, i.e. a minimum B1 (Intermediate) level of English is required. However, as the course is designed to provide systematic speaking practice, it will also benefit higher-level learners who wish to actively develop their communication skills and vocabulary.

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 active speaking skills and the ability to communicate confidently in the contexts of university study, individual specialisation and future professional employment. At the same time, it focuses on the systematic review and deepening of key grammatical structures in more complex, authentic contexts. Through teaching methods such as discussions, pair work and group work, students develop the ability to formulate ideas independently and communicate with confidence. This prepares them for more demanding academic and professional communication situations.

Study aids

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

GÁLOVÁ, D.; SLÁMEČKOVÁ, M. English for University Study: Student’s Book for first year students. Brno: VUT v Brně, Fakulta strojního inženýrství, 2026. ISBN: 978-80-214-6447-6. (EN)

Type of course unit

Language exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Miluše Slámečková
Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.
Mgr. Pavla Staňková

Syllabus

Introduction. U1: University study. Present and past tenses.
U1: Study skills. Question forms.
U1: Interview advice. Collocations with get, take, do.
U2: Watch to learn. Present perfect and past simple. Prepositions.
U2: Facts or fiction. Narrative tenses. Time linkers.
U2: Telling a story. Say, tell. Sequencers.
U3: Planning and procrastination. Talking about future plans.
U3: Future inventions. Making future predictions. Future time markers.
U3: Dealing with misunderstandings. Idioms.
U4: Jobs. Personal qualities. Expressing obligation with must, have to, should.
U4: Dream job. Adjectives. Confusing words.
U4: Founding a start-up. Reaching agreement and managing a discussion.
Credit test.

Computer-assisted exercise

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Dita Gálová, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Computer assisted language learning is an integral part of the course GEN1 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.

Elearning

eLearning: currently opened course