ORAL COMMUNICATION The Advanced English Programme (Year 1, Part 1) is an interactive workshop-style course for BA_S1 students who have English as one of their subjects. Ideally, you should already have at least a B2 level in English as a result of high school studies in the language. An English language teacher, in particular, has to demonstrate excellent speaking and listening (oracy) skills in English for their students. To that end, this course focuses on some of the most important kinds of oral/aural communication, including the key principles of speaking, functional language, and learning strategies. The learning outcomes for Autumn Semester, 2020 are to: - better understand the importance of audience, purpose, context, repetition, clarity, and simplicity and building all of these features into your speech - appreciate the close relationship between speaking, listening, reading, and writing (the 4 skills) as a way to improve your English - speak more fluently with less hesitation while searching for language - express ideas more clearly and precisely in an appropriate style (formal, informal) to suit the context - develop a better understanding of natural spoken English in general, professional and academic contexts - introduce yourself confidently and topics with clarity and purpose - plan and deliver professional oral presentations to an audience - understand the key principles of what makes a presentation successful - maintain eye contact and use positive body language and gesture in order to fully engage your audience and maintain interest throughout a presentation or talk - participate more actively in and lead (when appropriate or necessary) group discussions - ask and answer different types of questions for information, clarification, interruption, etc., using correct word order and appropriate intonation - use signposting language during oral presentations such as, ‘OK, let’s move on and …’, ‘Now, I’d like to …’, etc. - use and present visual aids with effect, pointing with words and/or gesture where appropriate to clarify points and aid understanding - identify and clear up trouble spots in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation - develop a richer, more flexible, and more precise vocabulary and grammar for speaking - develop better pronunciation with natural pausing, appropriate word and sentence stress, and intonation - express, support, and analyse arguments in an academic way, e.g. by referring to sources/others’ ideas - receive and give feedback to promote awareness and to encourage self-reflection - share thoughts, feelings, and experiences in order to enhance the learning process To successfully pass the course you will need to attend the course regularly throughout the semester and meet the requirements for the following four formal speaking assignments: 1. Describing a photo in detail (oral presentation) 2. Presenting biographical information (oral presentation via PowerPoint) 3. Explaining a concept (oral presentation) 4. Interactive speaking task with a partner and the lecturer (collaborative task) Evaluation is based on your performance in these four formal speaking assignments as well as on your preparation for and active contribution to each class. You will receive a final grade for the course based on all of the above. The Advanced English Programme (Year 1, Part 1) is to be completed in combination with the course: Guided Autonomous Study (Year 1, Part 1). Please note that you will need to register for both of these courses separately. |