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.
As an elective 200-level course, Oral Expression in English 8 maintains the objective of generating effective oral communication involving listening and speaking among members of groups of 3 or 4 people. Objectives also include using vocabulary and grammar introduced in the textbook and classes.
By the end of this course, students will be able to hold interactive discussions on a range of topics among a group of 3, 4 or more of their peers.
✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
---|---|
An instructor with work experience as a performer will provide hands-on experience in the performing arts, based on practice in the field that fosters critical thinking and encourages creativity and self-expression. |
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 and read the 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 | 1. Introduction to course 2. Unit 6: Alternative travel | identify course aims; acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss alternative travel; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 2 | 1. Unit 6: Alternative travel 2. Unit 7: Customs and behavior | acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss alternative travel and customs and behavior; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 3 | 1. Unit 7: Customs and behavior 2. Unit 8: Hopes and ambitions | acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss customs and behavior, and hopes and ambitions; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 4 | Midterm Group Presentations | deliver a group presentation; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 5 | Unit 9: The news | acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss the news; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 6 | Unit 10: Talented people | acquire vocabulary, phrases, and concepts relevant to discuss talented people; articulate ideas and opinions on issues |
Class 7 | 1. Review of material 2. Final Group Presentations | consolidate ideas and key concepts from units 6-10; articulate ideas and opinions on issues; deliver a final group presentation |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Dummett, Paul, John Hughes, and Helen Stephenson. 2019. Life, Second Edition, Level 5, Student Book with Web App (American English). Boston: Cengage Learning. (ISBN: 978-1-337-90566-4)
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 Group Presentation: 30%
none
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with Oral Expression in English 7.
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.