Published on September 9, 2025–Updated on September 9, 2025
Page & Screen: Exploring Narratives of Space
This course is designed for students with a B2 level of English proficiency who wish to improve their language skills through engaging with contemporary fiction and film. Using Andy Weir’s The Martian and its film adaptation as central texts, the course promotes vocabulary development, listening, reading comprehension and spoken fluency through discussion and analysis.
The course consists of six sessions, with students expected to read selected chapters of the book or watch corresponding scenes from the film in preparation for each class. Each session includes guided discussion, group activities and take-home language tasks. More specifically, students will:
build vocabulary and expressions related to science and technology, while developing skills in summarising and paraphrasing;
compare narrative techniques in the novel and the film, sharpening skills in critical thinking and spoken discussion;
improve understanding of technical English by unpacking accessible explanations of scientific concepts featured in the story.
By the end of the course, students will have developed greater fluency and confidence in discussing complex ideas in English, while enjoying a deeper appreciation of storytelling across different media (i.e. novel and film adaptation).
