UPPER INTERMEDIATE

SPEAKING & LISTENING

ACADEMIC ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Instructor: Miriam Voth
Email: mdvoth@sandiego.edu
Office Hours: ______________________
Everyone and everything around you is your teacher.
~ Ken Keyes

One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to
risk failure.
~ John W. Gardner

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course, you will be learning and practicing skills for academic courses. We will focus
on listening, speaking, and participating through discussions, presentations, and
interactive class sessions. Our goal is communicating clearly and thinking critically.
II. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME
Speaking

Students will be able to use course vocabulary on a variety of themes.

Students will practice clear pronunciation, word stress, and
intonations.

Listening

Students will be able to listen to presentations, lectures, and videos

and use strategies for comprehension and note-taking.
Students will be able to apply listening strategies to authentic
listening contenxts.

Communication Students will be able to use academic vocabulary and expressions in

group and class discussions.
Students will be able to prepare an organized, academic
presentation.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, student will be able to:
1. Participate in academic classrooms by joining in discussions, giving presentations, and
communicating appropriately with classmates and professors.
2. Use academic vocabulary for a variety of topics in presentations and discussions.
3. Give a five minute presentation, accompanied by a slideshow, that is clearly organized,
professionally presented, and uses key vocabulary.
BUILDING A LEARNING COMMUNITY
Language is a social tool. In this course, we will work to create a learning community which
supports the development of English communication skills of each student. We will show
respect for our own learning and the learning of the other class members by:

Participating actively
Speaking only English in the classroom
Listening and responding to each other
Choosing not to distract others
Asking thoughtful questions
Addressing problems or concerns appropriately.

LEARNING COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS AND GOALS

As a class, we agree to support one another as a learning community by:
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IV. MATERIALS
Textbook: Pathways: Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking 4 by Paul
MacIntyre
Access to Blackboard
3-Ring Binder for notes and handouts
Notebook paper, pens, pencils, and other classroom supplies.
Dictionary is optional, English to English only
V. MY ROLE AS THE INSTRUCTOR
My commitment to you is to prepare classes and course work to support your English
language learning. I will come to class on time, prepared, and ready to engage in teaching
and learning. I will give your work careful consideration, provide constructive feedback,
and return it in a timely manner.
VI. YOUR ROLE AS A STUDENT
1. Complete homework assignments before class. This will allow you to participate fully
in discussions and activities.
2. Engage in class activities and discussions to support your own and your classmates
learning.
3. Keep all class assignments, handouts, and materials in your binder and bring them to
class.
4. Talk with my privately before or after class if you have any concerns or questions
regarding the class, grades, or assignments.
5. Use your class time and study time wisely. Assignments, classwork, and class activities
are meant to support your learning. Set aside adequate time to prepare for class and
complete assignments. Use the resources (tutoring center, instructional assistant) to
for additional support.
VII. ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT
Assignments & Grades
3 SPEECHES 20%
REFLECTION JOURNALS . 10%
2 LISTENING LABS .10%

SELF-ASSESSMENT 5%
COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT. 5%
4 UNIT TESTS ... 20%
HOMEWORK .. 20%
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION 10%

SPEECHES
First: Self Introduction (informational)
Introduce yourself to the class personal information (family, where you grew up,
etc.), interests, hobbies, or talents, future goal, best advice for succeeding as a
student.
Second: Tradition and Progress (comparison and contrast)
Present a tradition that your family keeps (what it is, what you do, why you do it),
why you continue following the tradition, and your perspective on tradition &
progress.
Third: Social Problem and Solution (research)
Group research presentation:
-

Choose a social problem that concerns you and your partner (homelessness,
unsafe neighborhoods, lack of public transportation, etc.).
Research causes and effects of the social problem.
Provide evidence for why this is a serious problem (data and personal
examples).
Clearly explain your idea for a solutions: 1) on the government or community
level, and 2) one action students in the class can take in their daily lives.

Rubric
Criteria
Ideas/Information/Content
o Completed all requirements in
directions.
o Information is interesting and wellchosen.
o Used effective support for points.
Presentation

Comments

Score

/10

o Clear introduction of topic and main

points
o Well prepared, smooth delivery.
o Used transitions effectively to signal
important information, changes in
topic, and connect ideas.
o Included a summary and conclusion.
Presentation Skills
o Eye contact with audience.
o Natural facial expressions.
o Volume of voice loud enough for
audience to hear.
o Speed is not too fast or too slow
(professor and classmates can
understand)
o Clear pronunciation of words.
Visual Aides
o Used appropriate pictures that
relate to the topic.
o Well organized, clear slideshow.
o Appropriate amount of text on each
slide.
Total:

/15

/15

/10

/50

REFLECTION JOURNALS
Keeping a journal of goals, learning experiences, specific reflections assigned for speeches
and listening assignments. Entries will be assigned as part of classwork or homework
throughout the semester. A final reflection over the semester and the progress shown
through the journal will be completed during the last week of the course. (Details online)
SELF & COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT
Self-Assessment and Collaborative Assessment will be an important part of the course. In
your reflection journals, you will have the opportunity to consider what you are learning
and how you are developing as a student and English language speaker (informal selfassessments). You will also complete a formal self-assessment of your presentations
what you did well, what you learned, and 2 goals to work on in the next speech. During the
semester, you will also have two conferences with the professor for collaborative
assessment following one speech and one listening assignment. It will be an opportunity

to talk with the professor about your learning and growth. (Scheduled individually at the
beginning of the semester)

COURSE OUTLINE & SCHEDULE

Week
M
1
2

W
M
W

M
W

M
W

M
W

M
W

In Class
Introductions
Introductions
Unit 2: Lesson A
Unit 2: Lesson A
Unit 2: Lesson B
Unit 2: Lesson B
Debate: Environmental issues &
solutions
Unit 2 Test
Unit 5 Preview
Unit 5: Lesson A
Family History informal presentation
Unit 5: Lesson B
Unit 5: Lesson B
Unit 5 Test
Unit 6 Preview
Unit 6: Lesson A
Unit 6: Lesson B
Saving the Worlds Languages
discussion
Unit 6: Lesson B
Disappearing languages small group
informal presentations

Spring Break No Class Meeting

8

Tradition & Progress Presentations

Listening Lab 1

M
W

Unit 8: Lesson A
Unit 8: Lesson B

Assignment Due
Bring textbook to class
Environmental problem
Vocabulary 1
Debate topic & resources
Journal 1 (Online)
Debate Notes
Vocabulary 2
Journal 2 (Online)
Family History
Vocabulary 1
Journal 3 (Online)
Vocabulary 2
Online Discussion Board
Journal 4 (Online)
Vocabulary 1
Notes on Bhutan videos
Vocabulary 2
Notes on disappearing language
for informal presentation
Work on Tradition and Progress
Presentation
Journal 5 (Online)
Presentation outline & slides
(PPt, Prezi, etc)
Completed Pre-Lab packet
Vocabulary 1
Journal 6
Vocabulary 2

10

11

W
M

12
13

14

W
M
W
M

Unit 8: Lesson B
Health & Wellness Presentation
(informal)
Unit 8 Test
Listening Lab 2
Presentation Groups & Research
Unit 1: Lesson B
Social Problem Presentations
Social Problem Presentations

Unit 1: Lesson B

Final Group Discussions/Review

Final Exam

Health & Wellness presentation

notes (informal)
Completed Pre-Lab packet
Reflection Journal 7
Vocabulary 1
Reflection Journal 8
(Wednesday presenters)
Reflection Journal 8 (Monday
presenters)
Vocabulary 2