Academic management

In order to be able to follow the course, it is strongly recommended that participants have a B1.2 proficiency level of English. Students must be ready to take active part in the classes so as to learn how to communicate properly in professional tourism settings. 

The main aim of the course is to acquire knowledge of the specific language, structure and basic techniques of oral professional communication in English. 

Throughout two main blocks dedicated to the presentation of tourism products and the practice of tour guiding, the following aspects will be addressed:

• The structure of informal and formal oral presentations
• The language of oral presentations: vocabulary, register, style
• Oral signposting language
• Basic communication techniques: use of the voice, emphasis, pausing, etc.
• Non-verbal communication 

As far as methodology is concerned, the lessons will be held entirely in English. It is essential that course participants contribute to the development of the course by being actively involved in all class activities, completing all assignments and meeting deadlines.

Course materials will be based on written and spoken sources which, as far as legally possible, will be made available for students to read, listen to or download from the university Virtual Campus. It is thus the students’ responsibility to check regularly both the email account provided by the University of Oviedo and the Virtual Campus, where updated information and instructions for task performance will be detailed.

Class work will mainly focus on simulations and role plays and listening to oral or audiovisual extracts. As for autonomous work, students are expected to study course contents, prepare their oral presentations, do vocabulary, grammar and listening activities, and become familiar with whatever materials are uploaded on the Virtual Campus to enhance their knowledge and abilities.

Exceptionally, to meet public health requirements, online activities may be included, in which case students will be informed of the changes performed. The use of microphone and video camera will be essential.

Ordinary

The final grade will result from adding the grades obtained in the continuous assessment tasks (60%) to the results of a final exam (40%). It is nevertheless necessary to obtain, at least, 4/10 in the continuous assessment tasks to be entitled to take the final exam.

Continuous assessment (60%)

Dates and detailed instructions for task performance will be published on the Virtual Campus in due time. The components of continuous assessment are the following:

• Guided Tour (30%). Students will individually perform a guided tour of the exterior of a building or work of art.
• Product Presentation (30%). Individually, students will present a tourism product suited to a niche tourism sector. 

Final exam (40%)

The final exam is divided in two parts:

• Listening comprehension activities related to the syllabus contents (20%)  
• Specific vocabulary and grammar exercises (20%).

Extra-ordinary

There will be three parts in the extraordinary exam: oral expression activity (60%), listening comprehension (20%) and specific vocabulary and grammar exercises (20%).

The oral expression activity will consist in the delivery of one of the two oral presentations prepared for the continuous assessment tests, chosen by the examination board on the spot. Those students who obtained at least 4/10 in the oral presentation tests throughout the semester may choose to keep that grade and not take the oral expression activity for the extra-ordinary exam. 

Exceptionally, to meet public health requirements, online assessment methods may be included, in which case students will be informed of the changes performed. The use of microphone and video camera will be essential.

Alcaraz, E.; Hughes, B. & Campos, M.A. 2006, Diccionario de términos de turismo y ocio. Inglés-Español / Spanish-English. Barcelona: Ariel.

Deltoro Lenguazco, C. 2000, Diccionario turístico Inglés-Español. Barcelona: Laertes

Grussendorf, M. 2007, English for Presentations. Oxford: OUP.

Laws, A. 2006: Presentations. Oxford: Summertown Publishing.

Murphy, R. 2012, English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: CUP

Strutt, P. 2013, English for International Tourism. Intermediate. Harlow: Pearson.

Strutt, P. 2013, English for International Tourism. Upper-intermediate. Harlow: Pearson.

Walker, R. & Harding, K. 2008, Tourism 2. Oxford: OUP.

Walker, R. & Harding, K. 2009, Tourism 3. Oxford: OUP.

Websites

• BBC Learning English: www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
• Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com
• National Gallery of Art (Washington). The Collection: http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/audio-video/video/collection.html
• The Tate Gallery. Learn Online: http://www.tate.org.uk/learnonline/
• The British Museum. Audio Guides: http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/planning_your_visit/audio_guides.aspx