(3 Credits)

Course Description:

             This course aims to help students feel more confident to communicate in everyday English.  Students will improve their speaking skills by working individually, in pairs or in groups to complete a variety of activities such as presentations, role–plays and discussions. To improve listening skills, students will practice identifying information in recordings presenting everyday conversations, documentaries or lectures on general topics. These recordings also serve as models for speaking.

Outcomes:

 After this course, the students should be able to:

           1. give a clear, prepared description or presentation on general topics, giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view and giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

           2. initiate and maintain a conversation or discussion with a degree of fluency on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or related to everyday life.

           3. communicate spontaneously on general topics without grammatical errors that cause misunderstanding.

           4. understand videos and recorded audio material presenting everyday conversations, documentaries or lectures on general topics, delivered in standard dialect.

Credits: 3 (3-0-3)

Duration: 3 hrs. / week (15 weeks)

Study Break: Twice / semester (See the schedule)

Content: 

• Verbal and nonverbal communications

• Formal and informal language

• Asking for clarification

• Giving reasons

• Talking about advantages and disadvantages

• Expressing opinions 

• Facts & Opinions

• Agreeing and Disagreeing

• Giving suggestions

• Politeness strategies

• Impromptu talk

• Describing a product

Evaluation

Grading scale:

85%-above…………….      A         80% – 84%…………….     B+

75% – 79%…………….     B         70% – 74%…………….     C+

65% – 69%…………….     C         60% – 64%…………….     D+

55% – 59%…………….     D         54%-below…………….      F

Grade descriptor: