EN2708 Developing Speaking and Listening Skills

Part I

Course Duration: 1 semester
Credit Units: 3
Level: B2
Medium of Instruction: English
Prerequisites: Nil
Precursors: Nil
Equivalent Courses: Nil
Exclusive Courses: Nil

Part II

Course Aims:
This course has two main aims: to introduce the basic features of spoken English in a variety of social-cultural contexts, and 2) to allow students to improve their listening and speaking skills. Students examine spoken discourse in contexts and work on improving their pronunciation and fluency within. They are introduced to the IPA system. Practice interacting with their classmates in a number of role-play and simulation activities. By the end of this course students will have a greater understanding of the importance of various features in spoken English, such as accent, intonation, connected speech, and appropriacy. The course will also assist students in evaluating their own speech and listening skills and help them develop the necessary skills for further improvement.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

No.

CILOs

Weighting
(if applicable)

1

Understand the theoretical background for describing and analysing spoken discourse.

 

2

Apply the IPA transcription method to spoken texts.

 

3

Use spoken language effectively in a variety of given contexts.

 

4

Comprehend spoken texts that have a variety of features: accent, intonation, speed, etc.

 

5

Evaluate their listening and speaking skills. Prepare a strategic plan on how to improve these skills.

 

Teaching and learning Activities (TLAs)
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

CILO No

TLAs

Hours/week
(if applicable)

1 

Interactive Lectures. Short input sessions integrated with student based discussion tasks.

 

2-4

 

Tutorial activities. Combination of self and peer work to improve speaking and listening skills: transcription, role plays, discussions, presentations.

 

5

 

Reflective activities. Choose from lists of listening and speaking strategies and develop a learning plan for future use.

 


Assessment Tasks/Activities
(Indicative of likely activities and tasks designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs. Final details will be provided to students in their first week of attendance in this course)

CILO No

Type of assessment tasks/activities

Weighting
(if applicable)

Remarks

1

In-class quiz to demonstrate understanding of the basic aspects of spoken English discourse (speaking and listening).

20%

Individually assessment based on the information presented in the first two weeks of the course.

2

In class transcription quizzes

10%

Students are given three quizzes about transcription using the IPA system.

2-4

In-class assessment on group activities.

30%

Students will be continually assessed on their performance in group activities in class: role plays, discussions

2-4

Listening test.

20%

Students are given a listening test at the end of the course. This includes aspects such as bottom-up, top-down, and interactive dimensions, and also the social cultural aspects of spoken texts.

5

Self-Reflection Portfolio.

20%

Students are required to record a piece of spoken text then transcribe this, analysis it, write a brief report on their speech, and suggest a plan for future improvement.

Grading of Student Achievement:
Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A-….F).
Grading is based on student performance in assessment tasks/activities.


Part III           

Keyword Syllabus:

Speaking, listening, spoken discourse, social-cultural contexts, IPA transcription.

Related Links
Department of English