English Language for Ph. D. Students
Dr. Donald N. Roberson, Jr.
donald.roberson@upol.cz
Department: Department of Recreology (KRL)
Acronym:
Number of hours:
ECTS credits:
I.
ANNOTATION
The course deals with improving English (American) language. The purpose of this
class is to help Ph. D students improve personal communication and writing skill.
Every week this class will write, speak, and read in English language. The overall
goal is that students will become more proficient communicating in English language
orally and verbally in order to enhance their scientific goals.
II.
GOALS
The students will practice writing, reading, and speaking in the English language.
Each class students will discuss a research article relevant to their particular area of
study. This will also help to add to their individual research and literature review for
their PhD study. Other class activities to improve language skill will include
discussion, games, movies, as well as other topics of interest.
III.
TOPICS
1. Introduction, write a brief personal history, and read. Vocabulary and grammar.
Fill out student questionnaire. Answer this question: Where am I in my academic
pursuit and what needs to happen before I get PhD? What can I see myself doing
in 10 years? Introduce ERIC and incorporate into class. (Each week homework
will be to read one academic article and be prepared to discuss this with the class.
The student will also have to write a one page synopsis, incorporating critical
theory of this article. Also read through Chapter One of my dissertation. At the
end of class each student will present their 12 articles to the class and hand in a
summary.) Use the writing of their papers to improve vocabulary and grammar.
Go over APA guide.
2. Overview of my dissertation Chapter One. Share research article. Vocabulary and
grammar improvement from homework. Homework read one research article.
What is critical analysis? What do you think? Like? Dislike? What is lacking?
How can this improve? What would another author say about this?
3. Play some game in English language – such as Dictionary or Pictionary. Share
research article. (Homework read part of my Chapter Two for Dissertation.
Divide this chapter among class.) Vocabulary and grammar. Introduce debate as
part of class.
4. Discussion of the Chapter 2. Share research article. (Homework read one of the
articles from the Rolex awards in lieu of an academic article.) Vocabulary and
grammar. Debate.
5. Share Rolex award. Principles of simple conversation in English language (in
order to become more comfortable with beginning conversations at conferences,
etc.) (Read Chapter Three of my dissertation. And continue with reading and
writing regular academic articles.) Vocabulary and grammar. Debate.
6. Chapter Three discussion. Share about article. (Chapter four of dissertation - Each
person read and writes about one of the subjects in my dissertation, including the
analysis of the transcripts.) Vocabulary and grammar. Game.
7. Share about the individual in the dissertation. Share article.
8. Game in class. Homework read Chapter 5 of dissertation. Read regular article.
Vocabulary and grammar.
9. Writing retreat. (Day long writing program somewhere outdoors.)
10. Share analysis of my findings and share article. Homework read Chapter 6.
Vocabulary and grammar.
11. Share from Chapter 6, share article. Vocabulary and grammar. Review references;
write out the rules of APA for referencing. Prepare article.
12. Share rules of APA. Share article.
13. Each student shares a summary of their 12 or more articles they have read for
class.
IV.
Literature
1. Dissertation by Donald Roberson “How Older Rural Adult Utilize Self Directed
Learning in Late Life Adjustments.”
2. Rolex Awards Manual
3. Various scientific articles found on internet, use of ERIC.
4. APA Guidelines
V.
Closing Requirements
1. Active participation in class.
2. Collection of 12 articles and a summary of them. Each article will be summarized
on one-two sheets of paper. Each student will present this in class.
Incorporate Journals in Library
Australian Journal of Outdoor Education
American Journal of Health Promotion
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning
Kineseology
Sociology of Sport
Journal of Physical Recreation Education and Dance
ERIC