Introduction
Unit overview, expectations and study path for this C1 module.
Lesson objectives
- Understand how the unit approaches palliative care, death & dying conversations at C1 level.
- Plan a realistic study route across input, language focus and output tasks.
- Identify the main grammar, pronunciation and exam priorities for the unit.
¿De qué va esta unidad?
En esta unidad nos adentraremos en uno de los temas más complejos, delicados y emocionalmente demandantes del lenguaje: el cuidado paliativo y las conversaciones sobre la muerte y el final de la vida. Para un estudiante de nivel C1, este tema no es solo un reto lingüístico, sino un ejercicio de madurez comunicativa. En el nivel avanzado, ya no basta con transmitir información; se requiere la capacidad de manejar matices, mostrar empatía, utilizar un registro extremadamente preciso y navegar por temas tabú con la sensibilidad adecuada.
El principal reto de esta unidad radica en el control del tono. Aprenderás a utilizar estructuras gramaticales complejas para hablar de procesos que están fuera de nuestro control, mientras perfeccionas la sutileza necesaria para no sonar brusco o insensible. Además, trabajaremos con el uso de la voz y la entonación para transmitir consuelo o solemnidad, habilidades críticas tanto para la vida profesional (especialmente en entornos médicos o de ayuda) como para la comunicación interpersonal de alto nivel.
Objetivos de aprendizaje
- Vocabulary: Master specialized terminology related to end-of-life care, grief, and medical ethics to discuss sensitive topics with precision.
- Grammar: Correctly apply causative constructions (have, get, make, let, help) to describe actions performed by others or external circumstances.
- Listening: Develop the ability to understand nuanced emotional cues and subtle shifts in meaning in complex, high-level spoken discussions.
- Reading: Analyse sophisticated texts (such as ethical essays or biographical accounts) to identify tone, purpose, and implicit meaning.
- Writing: Produce a formal report or a reflective essay using an appropriate academic and empathetic register.
- Speaking: Engage in spontaneous, high-level discussions on ethical dilemmas, demonstrating controlled use of the schwa /ə/ for natural rhythm.
Lo que vas a encontrar
- Introduction: A brief overview of the sensitive nature of this unit and how to approach it.
- Grammar: An in-depth look at causative constructions (have/get/make/let/help) to describe agency and necessity.
- Vocabulary: Essential lexicon for discussing palliative care, bereavement, and medical terminology.
- Idioms: Figurative language and euphemisms used when discussing death and loss in English.
- Reading: An advanced text exploring the ethics of palliative care and modern medical decisions.
- Listening: A dialogue between healthcare professionals discussing a sensitive patient case.
- Use of English: Exam-style tasks (Use of English Part 1, 2, 3, and 4) focusing on causative structures and advanced vocabulary.
- Writing: A task focused on writing a formal letter or an essay regarding end-of-life ethics.
- Speaking: A structured debate and role-play simulating difficult conversations in a clinical or personal setting.
- Mediation: A practical task involving translating complex medical information into empathetic, easy-to-understand language for family members.
Tiempo estimado
Total: 4 horas 30 minutos
- Introduction: 10 min
- Grammar: 40 min
- Vocabulary: 30 min
- Idioms: 20 min
- Reading: 30 min
- Listening: 25 min
- Use of English: 35 min
- Writing: 40 min
- Speaking: 30 min
- Mediation: 30 min