British history and culture for language teachers II

foreign languages
obligatory courses
pedagogical qualifications

The course is devoted to selected aspects of the culture and history of Great Britain from the earliest times to the present day and to the issue of using the cultural component in the process of teaching English at school.

Classes are taught in the mixed mode (14 hrs - stationary + 16 hrs online, asynchronous).

Students will study with the main aspects of English/British culture and history. They will raise their language awareness and intercultural competence by drawing their attention to texts on selected elements of English/British culture and history, as well as multiculturalism in the British Isles. Available sources of information and ways how to deepen knowledge in the field of English/British culture and history, and suggestions on how to introduce cultural elements and history of the area in the context of teaching English at a secondary school will be indicated.

The course is devoted to the culture and history of England (Great Britain). Individual topics can be discussed fragmentarily in several classes. (Note: some topics are developed by students - self study).

Detailed course schedule:

1. Geography of the British Isles (geographical and cultural regions).

2. Basic knowledge of British society: the system political, state institutions, the role of the monarch.

3. The most important and landmark historical events: the Anglo-Saxon period; Christianization; England under Norman rule; Plantagenets; twilight of feudalism; the beginnings of the English Parliament, the Hundred Years' War, the wars of the White and Red Rose (1455-1485); Tudor monarchy: Henry VIII schism, reign of Elizabeth I; reformation and development of culture; reign of the Stuarts; Civil War; Stuart Restoration; beginnings of the Empire; scientific and industrial revolution, British Empire during the times of Queen Victoria and Edward VII; electoral reforms, Ireland's struggle for independence; World Wars I and II; gradual decline of the Empire; decolonization and devolution; Brexit.

4. The education system in the UK.

5. High culture (music, painting and architecture) and popular culture.

6. Customs and traditions, holidays and legends of the British Isles.

7. Culture of everyday life.

8. Sport in the British Isles.

9. Multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity.

10. How to teach knowledge of the culture and history of England / Great Britain as part of the cultural component in EFL.

Diniejko, A. English-Speaking Countries: The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland (Warszawa: WSiP, 1999; updated e-book, 2024); Kenneth O. Morgan, ed., The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain (OUP, 1994, and more recent editions); John Oakland, British Civilization. An Introduction (Routledge: London and New York, 2011); sdditional readin g: W. Lipoński, Dzieje kultury brytyjskiej, Warszawa 2005; PowerPoint Presentations.

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands

K-W01 To an in-depth degree chosen facts, theories, institutions, processes, and phenomena related to the field of studies teaching foreign languages: linguistics, literary studies, pedagogy and education studies, psychology, culture and religion studies, and history and, optionally, those related to the study areas relevant to the teaching of social studies: politics, administration and public policy studies, social sciences, public communication and media studies, law, which have practical application in teaching foreign languages at the third educational stage and in adult and higher education

K-W02 essential terminology relating to: linguistics, literary studies, pedagogy and education studies, psychology, history, culture and religion studies, relevant to the teaching of foreign languages, and possibly terminology relating to politics, administration and public policy studies, social sciences, public communication and media studies and law, relevant to teaching social studies

Skills: the graduate is able to

K-U01 search, analyse, evaluate, select and use information, using a variety of sources and methods, including advanced information and communication techniques, in Polish and English

K-U18 communicate in Polish and in a foreign language, conduct a debate using a variety of channels and techniques, with all participants in the teaching-learning process and experts in those academic disciplines that are relevant to the field of studies - foreign language teaching, both in Polish and English

K-U22 present their ideas, concerns, suggestions and arguments, in Polish and in English, supporting them with chosen theoretical perspectives and diverse viewpoints

Skills: the graduate is able to

K-K01 pursue lifelong learning

K-K06 interact and work in a group, performing various roles

K-K07 correctly identify the priorities for the implementation of specified tasks

Assessment is based on knowledge, the ability to associate facts, events and ideas in the area of culture and history of Great Britain, independent thinking, and the ability to transfer acquired knowledge and skills in English in oral and written form.

Completion of the course:

30% - active participation in classes;

30% - presentation of individual or group project results

40% - individual interview about problems discussed in class and the publication on the culture and history of England / British Isles.

Grading scale: 95-100 points - excellent (5+); 85-94 points - very good; 75-84 points - good plus; 65-74 points; good; 55-64 points - satisfactory plus; 54% - 50% - satisfactory; below 50% - unsatisfactory.

* Only one absence without a doctor's certificate is allowed.