230550 Lexis (S) (WiSe 2010/2011)

In the view of some language experts, it is lexis (rather than grammar) that forms the backbone of language. See if you agree by the end of the seminar! In this course you will learn various things about words - how words are formed, for instance, and how they are combined, where they come from, how they change and what things are done with them, by whom, when and where. You will also learn words and word combinations as such, and so extend your vocabulary resources and increase your capacity to express yourself. You'll be encouraged to personalize your lexis studies so that you focus on what concerns and interests you most. Classwork will include a wide range of activities and exercises (some of them produced by you) designed to widen your lexical range and sensitivity to the effects of lexical choices in different kinds of texts and contexts.

Assessment: In addition to doing homework, you will be expected to keep a lexis notebook throughout the seminar, and to hand it in, together with homework tasks you have worked on and revised, at the end of the semester. There will also be one or more in-class quizzes.

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen, notwendige Vorkenntnisse

Participants should preferably have completed BM1.

Literaturangaben

Woolard, George (2004). Key words for fluency: Upper intermediate collocation practice. London: Thomson ELT.

McCarthy, Michael & O’Dell, Felicity (2008). English collocations in use, advanced. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

McCarthy, Michael & O’Dell, Felicity (2008). Academic vocabulary in use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

McCarthy, Michael & O’Dell, Felicity (2001). English vocabulary in use (upper-intermediate).(2nd ed.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.