Course Description

Freshman English Oral Communication (Section U)

Prof. Dingren Tsao (dingren.tsao@gmail.com)

Fridays 3:10PM~5:00PM (Humanity Bldg 309)

Many individuals. Many Dreams. One Class. One Objective—to help students develop themselves so that they will be aspired to enjoy life more and become better contributors to the world through proficient English

The course is designed to improve advanced EFL students’ oral communication skills by focusing on:

1. Listening skills: comprehending main ideas and important details; understanding speaker’s purpose and attitude, making accurate inferences, forming generalization, and drawing conclusion
2. Speaking skills: expressing ideas and opinions clearly and effectively; summarizing main ideas from various sources.
3. Pronunciation improvement: English sound articulation, stress, rhythm, grouping (pausing, linking, focus) and intonation.
4. Discourse strategies: using proper forms of language to perform social functions in various contexts.

Required Text:
Summit I. by Saslow & Aschser. (2006) Longman (Available in 北大書坊)

CLASS ACTIVITIES: Class activities will include (but not limited to)

1. A variety of listening exercises, primarily based on material provided in our textbook

2. Pair work and small group activities on oral communication skills

3. Sharing of learning insights and highlights, primarily, material beyond our textbook.

Preparations for Class Time

1. Create and Maintain your personal blog

2. Make a plan for English Enhancement, 2007-8 school year.

3. Identify one or two major English (or ESL) sources of quality audio and video input such as Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab (http://www.esl-lab.com), EFLpod.com and visit them regularly.

4. Record your efforts and progress on your blog.

5. Share your insights and highlights first with your team members then with the entire class.

6. Teamwork is highly encouraged.

7. Attend all classes with a positive attitude and ready to behave as mature adults.

Proposed Course Schedule For u1599

(Revised 11/02)

	Date	Major Content	Notes/Assignments
1	9/21	Placement Test
2	9/28	No class	Teacher’s Day
3	10/05	Introduction, “Attitude” Talk,	H1:E-mail & Blog addresses
4	10/12	These I Believe, Form Groups,.	H2:English Enhancement Plan
5	10/19	Team Introduction	Text unavailable
6	10/26	Team Time, First visit with Randall—Healthy Lifestyle (Tex unavailable)	H3: Revise CEEP
7	11/02	More on Team, Blogs, Finish Healthy Lifestyle, Summit Overview, Unit 1	Class Photo
8	11/09	Unit 1 (Pair & Team Works)
9	11/16	Exam Unit 1, Begin Unit 2	校定期中考週
10	11/23	Unit 2, (Team )
11	11/30	Exam 2, Begin Unit 3
12	12/07	Unit 3 (Pair & Team )
13	12/14	Exam 3 (Pair &Team ), Begin Unit 4
14	12/21	Unit 4 (Pair & Team )
15	12/28	Exam 4, Begin Unit 5
16	01/04	Unit 5 (Pair & Team )
17	01/11	Exam 5 (Team J)

Proposed Grade Composition

1. In class activities and contribution 35%

2. Quizzes and exams 30%

3. Quality and quantity of sharing on blogs 35%