Specialist
2025/2026
Professional English for Theater and Cinema
Type:
Compulsory course (Drama and Film Acting)
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
4 year, 1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
Contact hours:
46
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course «Professional English for Theater and Cinema» is designed to provide students with the necessary language skills and specialized terminology for effective communication in the fields of theater and cinema. During the course students will study pre-recorded masterclasses delivered by world-renowned actors which are devoted to industry-related topics including preparation for a role, acting techniques, the casting process and effective collaboration with directors and fellow actors. Through guided discussions and analytical reflections on these masterclasses, students will explore the methodologies, outlooks and approaches employed by professionals and examine how these ideas can be applied to their own practice. At the same time, students will acquire and practice essential lexical items and language skills through practical exercises and role-plays to be able to handle effective professional communication.
Learning Objectives
- to enable students to explore the ways accomplished actors address industry-related challenges (preparation for a role, casting, etc.), considering their applicability to their personal practice
- to enhance students’ analytical skills concerning the features of acting displayed in masterclasses as well as films in which the presenters starred
- to foster students’ ability to communicate their ideas related to professional context succinctly in both oral and written forms by equipping them with specialized vocabulary (key terminology)
- to improve students’ overall English language competence primarily through widening their vocabulary range with the help of a variety of lexically-driven tasks including those based on the stated masterclasses
- to provide students with an opportunity to practice their acting skills using the English language
- to raise students’ awareness of the features of filmmaking process including through masterclasses as well as their own guided research
Expected Learning Outcomes
- expresses one's opinion succinctly concerning industry-related issues in oral speech
- delivers a presentation on an industry-related topic in a confident and appropriate way
- learns essential items of professional terminology
- learns advanced lexical units of General English
- writes a clear, well-structured review on a masterclass, employing professional terminology
- applies a range of linking devices to ensure coherence and cohesion while writing a review
- learns essential industry-specific terminology
- understands the stages of the filmmaking process and the roles of different filmmaking professionals in a deeper way
Course Contents
- Unit 1. Preparation for a role.
- Unit 2. The craft of acting
- Unit 3. Collaboration & career.
Assessment Elements
- Written AssessmentWritten Assessment includes 2 vocabulary quizzes and 1 review
- Oral assessment
- Individual Work AssessmentIndividual Work includes conducting home assignments, the level of engagement during the lesson and the rate of attendance: the 3 components have equal contribution to the mark.
- Final assessmentFinal assessment equals to the interim exam which is held in the form of a written test. The exam aims to check whether the student demonstrates the acquisition of the set learning objectives. The exam includes two parts: Vocabulary test and Writing. Vocabulary test (V): Max. 10 points (1 point for every correct answer). Time: 20 min. Writing (W): Max. 10 points. Time: 50 min. Task: Write a review on a masterclass devoted to an industry – related topic
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 2nd module0.3 * Final assessment + 0.25 * Individual Work Assessment + 0.2 * Oral assessment + 0.25 * Written Assessment
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- 9781612299204 - Machamer, Josh - Immersive Theatre : Engaging the Audience - 2017 - Common Ground Research Networks - http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1910946 - nlebk - 1910946
- A beginner's guide to devising theatre, Thorpe, J., 2020
- Phillips, K. R. (2005). Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture : Horror Films and American Culture. Westport, Conn: Praeger. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=299697
- The complete film production handbook, Honthaner, E. L., 2010
- Theatre and performance design : a reader in scenography, , 2010
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Actors and icons of the ancient theater, Csapo, E., 2010
- Filmmaking : Direct your movie from script to screen using proven Hollywood techniques, Tomaric, J. J., 2011
- Philosophy and theatre : an introduction, Stern, T., 2014