Gaelic Upper Intermediate Step 3 (Online)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

Gaelic Upper Intermediate is subdivided into six progressive steps: Upper Intermediate Step 1, Upper Intermediate Step 2, Upper Intermediate Step 3, Upper Intermediate Step 4, Upper Intermediate Step 5, and Upper Intermediate Step 6.

Upper Intermediate Step 1 is suitable for students who have completed an Intermediate course (steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), or have achieved the equivalent of a B1 level of the CEFR.

Students who have completed Upper Intermediate Step 1 will be able to progress to the next step.

Students who have any prior knowledge of the language are encouraged to self-assess their proficiency by using our on-line assessment or by contacting the Course Organiser

Students who have registered for a course that is not at the right level can request a transfer after session 1 and 2 of the course. (see our Languages FAQ)

Special Information

The teacher will inform you of the materials needed.

In order to successfully engage with the course via Zoom/ Microsoft Teams, you will require:

• A reliable internet connection
• A computer equipped with a camera and mic
• A headset or earphones

We recommend that your computer runs a modern operating system. For example, Windows 10 or the latest Apple software.

For more information about technical requirements, please visit the FAQ's on our website.

Content of Course

As they progress from Upper Intermediate Step 1 to Upper Intermediate Step 6, students will learn how to:

• give detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects
• develop a clear argument and participate in a debate
• follow the essentials of lectures, talks and reports and other forms of academic/professional presentation
• read independently, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes
• understand TV news and current affairs programmes
• summarise a wide range of factual and imaginative texts
• write detailed descriptions of real or imaginary events and experiences
• write an essay or report with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting detail

Teaching method(s)

Students will explore the use of the language in a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Students will experience the target language in a productive way, carefully designed to grow familiarity and confidence.

We follow an action-oriented communicative approach. The lessons include whole-class activities and pair or small-group work, role-play, responding to short texts, listening to dialogues, and watching video clips. Grammar is introduced, practised and consolidated in context. Students will engage with more extensive written exercises and reading texts as part of the autonomous learning activities on the course page on-line (the Virtual Learning Environment of the University of Edinburgh).

Learning is assessed informally throughout the course with the teacher providing regular feedback to help students progress and plan their learning.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the six steps of the Upper Intermediate course, students who have fully engaged with all the learning activities will achieve the equivalent of B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and will be able to:

1. understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics;
2. interact fluently and spontaneously with proficient speakers;
3. produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects;
4. explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the; advantages and disadvantages of various options;
5. express themselves clearly and without much sign of having to restrict what they want to say.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.