Introduction
The main aim of this course is to improve students' listening and speaking skills in English, as a second language, and to develop their knowledge of vocabulary. The course also aims to improve students' oral skills, in addition to revising certain grammatical points. Cognitive and metacognitive listening strategies presented in the course will develop learners' abilities to understand main ideas, note specific details, detect sequencing, follow directions, make inferences, predict outcomes, and evaluate listening and speaking input.
1. Foundations of listening skills
- Importance of active listening
- Understanding accents and variations
- Basic listening comprehension exercises
2. Vocabulary and pronunciation
- Building a diverse vocabulary
- Pronunciation drills and exercises
- Common pronunciation challenges and solutions
3. Conversational fluency
- Developing conversational skills
- Role-playing and situational dialogues
- Strategies for overcoming communication barriers
4. Listening comprehension in different contexts
- Listening to various accents and dialects
- Comprehending spoken English in different settings (formal, informal, academic)
5. Public speaking and presentation skills
- Structuring effective speeches
- Overcoming public speaking anxiety
- Delivering persuasive presentations
6. Storytelling and narrative skills
- Crafting and telling engaging stories
- Using narratives in everyday communication
- Storytelling as a cultural and social practice
7. Listening to authentic materials
- Analysing movies, podcasts, and interviews
- Extracting information from authentic sources
- Discussing content and themes
8. Group discussions and debates
- Participating in and leading group discussions
- Structuring and participating in debates
- Building critical thinking skills through discussions
9. Listening for academic purposes
- Listening skills for academic lectures and presentations
- Note-taking strategies
- Understanding academic discourse
10. Final project and assessment
- Individual or group projects incorporating listening and speaking skills
Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Develop awareness of the sounds and word linking of the English language and develop pronunciation self-awareness.
• Improve accurate pronunciation, melody and rhythm, and develop cohesiveness of speech and natural delivery.
• Understand conversations, news, audio documents and short documentaries, related to current topics and to topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
• Expand everyday vocabulary and develop vocabulary related to current discussion topics.
• Start a conversation on topics that are familiar or of personal interest or more abstract, but still related to everyday situations, and can help to keep it going by expressing and responding to suggestions, opinions, attitudes, advice, feelings, etc.
• Express opinions on more abstract topics, and ask other people what they think, contrast alternatives, discuss what to do, etc.
• Discuss social conventions in language use (e.g. rules of politeness, colloquial English, etc.).
Admission
Prerequisites training
The course is open to students with an adequate command of English, with knowledge of the literary, cultural, and translation traditions of the English-speaking world. Students should also plan to view television, DVDs, etc. and listen to audio materials from other sources to further strengthen vocabulary and comprehension in preparation for their written assessments. The level of listening proficiency achieved by individual learners will depend on the learner's motivation, previous experience, and degree of engagement in course activities.
Program
Methods of Instruction
Learning will occur through communicative and collaborative tasks (via audio and video), the development of autonomous learning skills and strategies, reflecting on the use of the English language through intercultural activities, and simulations. High importance will be given to interaction in English language use and learning in view of its central role in communication.
Assessment and Final Grade
Oral presentation based on an audio or video clip: 50%
Answering a series of questions from a video during class: 50%
Course Requirements
Regular attendance and participation in activities are essential to be a successful language learner. For students to progress in understanding and speaking English, they must hear and speak it on a daily basis. Students must attend classes since active participation and interaction with the teacher and peers, and between peers, are essential to effective second language acquisition and oral skills development. Attendance is a mandatory part of this course.
Resources
- Recommended listening materials, online resources, and interactive platforms for continued practice.
- Opportunities for language exchange and real-world application of skills.
Libraries
Practical information
