In keeping with their title, all of the “Oral Expression in English” courses are devoted to improving students’ skill in speaking. Apart from the context of making presentations, effective speaking also involves effective listening, so the classwork and homework in these courses require that students carry out both interactive speech and engaged listening exercises.
In Oral Expression in English 7 the principal aim is to generate effective oral communication involving listening and speaking among members of groups of 3 or 4 speakers. Objectives also include using vocabulary and grammar introduced in the textbook and classes.
By the end of this course, students will have become well aware of skills and strategies needed for interactive discussions on a range of topics among a group of 3, 4 or more of their peers.
speaking, listening,oral communication, interactive
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This is designed to be a student-centered, interactive course with students discussing and debating on various topics. New vocabulary and grammar will be routinely introduced to enable students to articulate ideas more clearly and to facilitate discussions. Students are required to listen to and/or read assigned materials before class, preparing for focused discussions of their content. (Note: Syllabus is subject to change based on the level, needs, and actual number of students.)
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction to course Unit 1: Relationships | Identify course aims. Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing relationships. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 2 | Unit 1: Relationships | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing relationships. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 3 | Unit 2: Storytelling | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing storytelling. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 4 | Unit 2: Storytelling Midterm Group Presentation | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing storytelling. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. Deliver a group presentation. |
Class 5 | Unit 3: Science and technology | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing science and technology. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 6 | Unit 3: Science and technology | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing science and technology. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 7 | Unit 4: Art and creativity | Acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant for discussing art and creativity. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. |
Class 8 | Review of material Final Presentation | Consolidation of vocabulary and key concepts from Units 1-4. Articulate ideas and opinions on issues. Deliver a final presentation. |
Dummett, Paul, John Hughes, and Helen Stephenson. 2019. Life, Second Edition, Level 5, Student Book with Web App (American English). Boston: Cengage Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-33-790566-4)
Additional reading materials may be assigned throughout the term.
Suggested websites:
TED Talks https://www.ted.com/
VOA http://www.voanews.com/
NPR http://www.npr.org/
TED, VOA and NPR provide video transcripts.
Scientific American (video and podcasts “60-second science”) http://www.scientificamerican.com/
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Class Participation: 25%
Homework and In-class Assignments: 20%
Midterm Group Presentation: 25%
Final Presentation: 30%
none
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.