Inglês Instrumental - módulo 1 Aula 1

Summary

In this introductory lesson to the instrumental English course, Professor Elisângela Chuin welcomes students and provides an overview of the course's objectives and structure. The course focuses on developing reading comprehension skills in English through techniques like scanning, skimming, and the study of cognates. It also covers grammar basics and text analysis. The primary goal is to help students understand English texts, particularly academic and technical materials, without needing in-depth language proficiency. The lesson emphasizes the importance of general comprehension, prior knowledge, and layout cues to aid in reading comprehension.

Takeaways

• 😀 The course is focused on instrumental English, specifically for reading and understanding English texts, not spoken English.
• 😀 The course is divided into three modules: general comprehension, grammar, and analyzing different types of English texts.
• 😀 Module 1 covers general comprehension techniques such as scanning, skimming, cognates, and prediction.
• 😀 Module 2 focuses on grammar, specifically pronouns, the verb 'to be,' simple present and past tenses, and affixes.
• 😀 Module 3 teaches how to identify the central idea in texts and analyze arguments in English writing.
• 😀 The course aims to provide the necessary linguistic knowledge for understanding written texts in English.
• 😀 'Instrumental English' originated in academia due to the need for students to access English-language materials quickly, especially scientific and technical texts.
• 😀 English instrumental courses do not aim to teach speaking skills but to develop the ability to comprehend written English.
• 😀 General comprehension of a text is achieved by identifying key words, especially cognates that resemble their Portuguese counterparts.
• 😀 Prior knowledge (cultural, grammatical, lexical, and experiential) plays a crucial role in helping students understand English texts.
• 😀 Layout and context clues within a text (e.g., symbols, images, and format) assist readers in identifying the type of text and understanding its content.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the Instrumental English course?

The main objective of the Instrumental English course is to help students develop basic English skills for reading and understanding texts, particularly academic and technical materials, without the need for deep knowledge of the language.

What is the focus of the Instrumental English course?

The focus of the Instrumental English course is on reading comprehension, specifically teaching techniques for understanding written texts in English, such as scanning, skimming, predicting, and identifying cognates.

What are the three main modules in the course?

The course is divided into three modules: 1) General comprehension and reading strategies, including scanning and skimming; 2) Grammar, focusing on pronouns, the verb 'to be', and affixes; 3) Analyzing different types of texts in English, including identifying central ideas and argumentation.

How does the course address reading strategies?

The course teaches various reading strategies, such as scanning, skimming, using cognates, and predicting, to help students understand the general meaning of texts even without knowing every word.

What role do cognates play in understanding English texts?

Cognates are words that are similar in both English and Portuguese and share the same meaning. They are crucial for understanding the general idea of a text, as they help students recognize familiar words and quickly grasp the context.

What is the significance of prior knowledge in reading comprehension?

Prior knowledge, whether cultural, grammatical, lexical, or semantic, is important because it helps readers make connections with the text. The more familiar the reader is with the topic, the easier it becomes to understand the text, even if some words are unfamiliar.

How does the course explain the importance of layout in understanding texts?

The layout of a text can provide visual cues about its genre and purpose. For example, the presence of images, headings, and specific formats, like recipes or news articles, can guide students in identifying the type of text and anticipating its content.

What is the difference between instrumental English and general English courses?

Instrumental English courses focus on reading and understanding written texts, often for academic or professional purposes, without emphasizing speaking or listening skills. General English courses, on the other hand, cover all aspects of the language, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

What techniques are recommended for understanding unfamiliar words in English texts?

When encountering unfamiliar words, the course recommends using context clues and surrounding text to infer their meaning. Additionally, recognizing cognates and understanding the general context of the text can help deduce the meaning of new words.

How does the course prepare students for real-world reading situations in English?

The course prepares students by teaching them strategies to handle a variety of texts, such as scientific articles, technical materials, and other academic resources, which are typically written in English. It equips them with tools to quickly understand these texts without needing to translate them.