English Skills for Success

Course Overview
English is the language of international communication, business, the media, and the Internet. English-language skills are keys to success in an increasingly globalized society. Learning English also provides a means to enjoy multiple cultures through film, music, literature, and travel.This course is designed to provide students with practical skills to succeed. Students will develop their proficiency in using oral and written language to communicate effectively. The course focuses particularly on production skills, i.e., speaking and writing.The course should interest all students wishing to reinforce and expand their English language skills.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course a successful student will be able to:
(i) introduce themselves professionally,
(ii) give effective oral presentations,
(iii) participate actively in meetings, debates and discussions,
(iv) communicate clearly via email, telephone and videoconference.

Course Content

Giving Oral PresentationsOral presentations as a means to communicate effectively; preparation, design and delivery; presentation language (openings & introductions, sequencers & transitions, describing visuals, summarizing & concluding, etc.); handling questions.

Participating in Meetings, Debates and DiscussionsTypes and purposes of group interaction; roles and responsibilities in group interactions; active listening; interactive language (interrupting, agreeing/disagreeing, expressing opinions, etc.).

Communicating via Email, Telephone and VideoconferenceEmail English (formal vs informal; key phrases for specific purposes); telephone conventions and language (making and taking calls, asking for and giving information, ending the call, etc.); videoconferencing – a new paradigm?

Instructional Method
A blended-learning approach will be used during the course consisting of online resources and in-class workshops. Online resources (videos, documents, quizzes) on a dedicated Moodle platform will provide pre-workshop preparation and post-workshop consolidation activities of course content. Workshops will involve pair and group work on task-based, discussion-based, and practical activities.
Completion of online activities and full participation in workshop activities will be necessary for the achievement of the learning outcomes.

Required Course Materials
Students will need access to a computer with an internet connection.
Prospective students may find the following titles of interest:
Presentations in English (2008) Erica J Williams;
English for Meetings (2007) Kenneth Thompson;
Email English (2013) Paul Emmerson.

Assessment
Students will be evaluated by: continuous assessment (25%), giving an oral presentation
(25%), participating in a meeting (25%), and writing an email (25%).
Feedback will take the form of peer and instructor comments, and video recordings of the
personal introductions, presentations, and meetings.