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08-2016
V.2

1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

1. IDENTIFICATION

Knowledge area: Specific

Course name: English I

Semester: First

Component type: Communicative competence

Credits : 4

Face-to-face work: 64

Independent work: 128

Total hours: 192

Professor:

Contact info

e-mail

Phone number

2. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course follows an integrated-skills approach to help students learn English as a foreign language.
Of course, there is a focus on communication as the governing idea, and a lot of work will be devoted to the
development of the four primary skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing through a wide range of tasks
and activities. Students will be challenged and engaged in exercising higher order thinking skills. Also, as
different academic skills are being developed, students will be able to have the opportunity to reflect on their
learning process and their valuable contribution to our community and country. Everyday experience shows that
the great majority of freshman students are below the A1 level. To solve this problems, the English Readiness
Approach (ERA) serves an effective tool to enhance their learning and achievement. Therefore, the learners are
exposed to English without any of the traditional restrictions conventionally used in learning settings. For
instance, when it comes to having learners focus on some aspects of pronunciation, we deliberately direct their
attention to sounds that are acquired early (e.g. beginning consonant sounds), while other sounds (e.g. some
vowel sounds and consonant blends) are dealt with later in the learning process. The classroom is a laboratory
for a linguistically rich environment, always focusing on the use of authentic learning materials.
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

3. COURSE OBJECTIVES

An integrated-skills approach enables learners to develop their four language skills—listening, speaking,
reading and writing. This is expressed through performance descriptors on the interpersonal, interpretive, and
presentational levels.

Interpersonal

Expresses self in conversations on very familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases, simple sentences, and
questions that have been highly practiced and memorized.

Can ask highly predictable and formulaic questions and respond to such questions by listing, naming, and
identifying. May show emerging evidence of the ability to engage in simple conversation.

Able to function in some personally relevant contexts on topics that relate to basic biographical information.
May show emerging evidence of the ability to communicate in highly practiced contexts related to oneself and
immediate environment.

Understands and produces highly practiced words and phrases and an occasional sentence. Able to ask
formulaic or memorized questions.

Communication strategies

May use some or all of the following strategies to maintain communication, able to:

• Imitate modeled words • Use facial expressions and gestures • Repeat words • Resort to first language • Ask
for repetition • Indicate lack of understanding

Interpretive

Understands words, phrases, and formulaic language that have been practiced and memorized to get meaning of
the main idea from simple, highly-predictable oral or written texts, with strong visual support.

Comprehends meaning through recognition of key words and formulaic phrases that are highly contextualized.
May show emerging evidence of the ability to make inferences based on background and prior knowledge.

Derives meaning when authentic texts (listening, reading, or viewing) are supported by visuals or when the
topic is very familiar. Comprehends texts ranging in length from lists, to phrases, to simple sentences, often
with graphically organized information.

Communication strategies

May use some or all of the following strategies to comprehend texts, able to:

• Skim and scan • Rely on visual support and background knowledge • Predict meaning based on context, prior
knowledge, and/or experience for alphabetic languages: • Reply on recognition of cognates • May recognize
word family roots, prefixes and suffixes
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

Presentational

Communicates information on very familiar topics using a variety of words, phrases, and sentences that have
been practiced and memorized.

Presents simple, basic information on very familiar topics by producing words, list, notes, and formulaic
language using highly practiced language. May show emerging evidence of the ability to express own thoughts
and preferences.

Creates messages in some personally relevant contexts on topics that relate to basic biographical information.
May show emerging evidence of the ability to create messages in highly practiced contexts related to oneself
and immediate environment.

Produces words and phrases and highly practiced sentences or formulaic questions.

Communication strategies

May use some or all of the following strategies to communicate, able to: • Rely on a practiced format • Use
facial expressions and gestures • Repeat words • Resort to first language • Use graphic organizers to present
information • Rely on multiple drafts and practice sessions with feedback • Support presentational speaking
with visuals and notes • Support presentational writing with visuals or prompts

4. METHODOLOGY
This course offers ample opportunities for students to learn and use the language by means of two main

approaches: Task-Based and Student-Centered Approaches through the language skills integration. In addition,

Emphasis on communication through practical activities and interaction patterns such as pairwork, groupwork

and so on. Likewise, students will be exposed to different techniques, activities and free online resources. They

include: both authentic and non-authentic materials, useful websites, writing and speaking activities like; role

plays, interviews and mini-presentations. Special attention is also given to students’ participation in class, using

English in several situations.

1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

5. COURSE CONTENT: Students will learn about the following grammatical structures and communicative functions.

Unit 1: Meeting people

Competences Contents Suggested grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Part I Using full form and contractions (I

Identifying how the students am, it is vs. I´m, it´s)  Written exercise  Research on topics
competence read and write in Spanish Answering a few simple questions practice
Sharing course and career (Yes/ No questions with to be)  Complementary projects
Components: expectations Responding to Wh-questions  Listening practice
Inspiring learners (guest (beginning with who, what, when,  Writing activities (E-
speaker in the classroom) where questions)
Linguistic  Short mails)
Class rules (a collective Using possessive pronouns and presentations
construction) possessive adjectives (I, you vs.
Pragmatic Using the lab and other e-  Acting out
my, your) Roleplays  Online practice
resources (Independent
Socio- Identifying beginning consonant (platforms/ websites)
Learning Tools- ILTs)
Saying hello and introducing sounds- sound/letter  Grammar
linguistic myself to someone (telling my relationship (s, b, t, and h) practice/games  Completing exercises
name) Introducing cognates (using what from
Saying good-bye students know: their mother
tongue)
Vocabulary
.
Classroom expressions, expressions

to say hello, cognates

1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 2: Spelling names and words

Competences Contents Suggested topics, grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Using the English Using this/that/these/those

alphabet Describing things in the classroom,  Written exercise  Research on topics
competence Spelling names (first, using there is and there are practice
middle, last) Describing things around the parts  Complementary projects
Components: Spelling and saying of the house, using there is and  Listening
classroom words there are practice  Writing activities (E-mails)
Describing things in the
Linguistic
classroom
 Short
Describing things around Vocabulary building: cognates
Pragmatic the parts of the house, presentations  Online practice (platforms/
Classroom vocabulary  Acting out websites)
Socio-linguistic Identifying beginning Roleplays
Parts of the house  Completing exercises from
consonant sounds-
sound/letter  Grammar
relationship (d and v); practice/games
short vowel sound (e)
Completing an
application form
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 3: What´s your phone number?

Competences Contents Suggested grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Using numbers 0-20 Grammar:

(counting from 0-20)  Written exercise  Research on
competence Asking for and giving phone Asking questions with the practice topics
numbers
Components: Stating my name, age, and verb to be  Listening practice  Complementary
where I live (city, address) projects
Linguistic Asking and giving basic What´s….?  Short presentations
personal information (name,  Acting out Roleplays  Writing activities
Pragmatic age, phone number, where I How old…? (E-mails)
live, home address, and  Grammar
Socio-linguistic email address) Vocabulary practice/games
Singing short songs  Online practice
Reviewing beginning Basic personal information (platforms/
consonant sounds (s, b, t, h, d websites)
and v), short vowel /e/ and Reviewing vocabulary:
short vowel /a/ cognates, spelling, and  Completing
pronunciation exercises from
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 4: Please open your books.

Competences Contents Suggested grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Reviewing number 0-20 Grammar:

Using numbers 21-100  Written exercise  Research on
competence Solving simple addition and Imperative sentences practice topics
subtraction problems (plus
Components: and minus)  Listening practice  Complementary
Identifying Vowel sound projects
Linguistic /ae/ and contrasting /a/ and Vocabulary  Short presentations
/ae/  Acting out Roleplays  Writing activities
Pragmatic Giving commands, especially Numbers (E-mails)
classroom commands  Grammar
Socio-linguistic (imperative sentences) Introducing the concept of practice/games
Writing short sentences verbs (open, close, look at,  Online practice
(imperative) listen to, practice, work, (platforms/
read, write, sit down, websites)
compare, etc).
Checking the top 100 verbs  Completing
in English exercises from
Identifying and using more
cognates
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 5: When is your birthday?

Competences Contents Suggested grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Reviewing spelling and Grammar:

numbers  Written exercise  Research on
competence Adding, subtracting and Using prepositions for time practice topics
multiplying (using small and place (in, on, at,
Components: numbers) from…to)  Listening practice  Complementary
Talking about events and projects
Linguistic dates (using days of the  Short presentations
week, months, seasons, Vocabulary  Acting out Roleplays  Writing activities
Pragmatic ordinal numbers, and zodiac (E-mails)
signs) Days of the week, months,  Grammar
Socio-linguistic Identifying long vowel /i/ as in seasons, ordinal numbers, practice/games
eat/need the / ɵ/ sound as in and zodiac signs)  Online practice
thank and nothing Cognates (platforms/
Reading- strategies websites)
Identifying factual information
in a text  Completing
Writing a paragraph (personal exercises from
information)
Reviewing cognates, spelling,
pronunciation and right
intonation
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 6: Are you Mario?

Competences Contents Suggested grammar and Face-to-face work Independent work

vocabulary

Communicative Asking/ telling the time Grammar: Asking questions Yes/No

Talking about moods and feelings and Wh-questions, from verb to be  Written  Research on
competence (adjectives) to other verbs exercise topics
Reviewing short vowel /a/, /ae/ y Using do/does in questions practice
Components: long vowel /i/ Short answers  Complementary
Using the correct intonation in Negative sentences  Listening projects
statements and Yes/No questions
Linguistic practice
Identifying the /ʤ/ sound as in
 Writing activities
jeep and jet Vocabulary
Pragmatic Reading strategies  Short (E-mails)
presentations
Socio-linguistic Reviewing cognates and course  Acting out
vocabulary, including 100 top
Roleplays  Online practice
English verbs
(platforms/
 Grammar websites)
practice/games
 Completing
exercises from
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

CONTENTS/WEEKS LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES

-Introduction to course:

WEEK 1: Introduction to course -Class rules

- Diagnostic test

-Tips on learning strategies

Unit 1: Meeting people

Independent Learning Tools
Week 2: and homework activities

o Written exercise practice

o Listening practice Using online resources
o Short presentations Pronunciation Power
o Acting out role plays assignments

Unit 1: Meeting people

Independent Learning Tools
Week 3: and homework activities

o Written exercise practice Completing exercises

o Listening practice Following learning tips for
o Short presentations ILTs websites and from
o Acting out role plays reference books.

Unit 2: Spelling names and

Independent Learning Tools
words and homework activities

o Written exercise practice Completing your ILTs

o Listening practice portfolio
Week 4: o Short presentations Completing exercises
o Acting out role plays Following learning tips for
ILTs websites and from
reference books.

Week 5:
Mid-term
Speaking test
Writing test (listening, reading and writing)
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Unit: 3 What´s your phone Independent Learning Tools
number? o Reviewing test (areas to work and homework activities
on)
Week 6: Doing lab work
o Written exercise practice
Completing exercises
o Listening practice Following learning tips for
o Short presentations ILTs websites and from
o Acting out role plays reference books.
o Grammar practice games

Unit: 3 What´s your phone Independent Learning Tools

number? o Reviewing test (areas to work and homework activities
on)
Week 7: Continue working on ILTs
o Written exercise practice
portfolio
o Listening practice Writing your first paragraph
o Short presentations
o Acting out role plays
o Grammar practice games

Unit: 4 Please open your books. Independent Learning Tools

o Reviewing test (areas to work and homework activities
Week 8: on)
Introduction to the Writing
o Written exercise practice
Process
o Listening practice Peer revision
o Short presentations Using VOA
o Acting out role plays
o Grammar practice games

Week 9
Mid-term
Speaking test
Writing test (listening, reading and writing)

Unit: 3 Please open your book.

o Reviewing test (areas to work
Unit 5: When´s your birthday? on) Independent Learning Tools
and homework activities
Week 10 o Written exercise practice
o Listening practice Work on project or
o Short presentations presentations
o Acting out role plays
o Grammar practice games
o Reviewing increments on
Project and feedback
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE

Unit 5: When´s your birthday? Independent Learning Tools

o Reviewing test (areas to work and homework activities
on)
Researching about your
Week 11 o Written exercise practice
favorite person
o Listening practice Writing a short paragraph
o Short presentations
o Acting out role plays
o Grammar practice games
o Reviewing inrements on Project
and feedback

Unit 6: Are you Mario? Independent Learning Tools

o Reviewing test (areas to work and homework activities
on)
Writing questions
Week 12 o Written exercise practice
Planning short interviews
o Listening practice focusing on basic personal
o Short presentations information questions
o Acting out role plays
o Grammar practice games
o Reviewing increments on
project and feedback

Unit 6: Are you Mario?

Week 13
Final test

Writing, listening and reading

Week 14
Project presentation

Week 15

Project presentation
(feedback on presentation)

Week 16 Scores delivery and feedback on course

6. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
The assessment criteria along with this course will encompass the requirements as states:
Reminders Percentages

 Mid-term test 1: 15% Test covers…

 Class attendance 5% 30 %

 Follow- up activities and class contributions 5%

 Writing and listening report 5%

 Mid-term test 2 20% Test
 Class attendance 5% 30 %
 Follow- up activities and class contributions 5%
 Final test 20% Test covers….

 Complementary project (speaking) 20% 40 %

 Sum Total 100%

100 %

7. COURSE MATERIALS
Adapted materials will be used in class, linked to the topic areas studied. See References for required learning

materials.

8. COURSE POLICIES/PROCEDURES:
Basic class rules:
 Turn off and put away cell phones when you enter the classroom(negotiable)
 Be respectful to your instructor and your classmates at all times.
 Do all class and homework assignments.

8.1. Attendance:
 Due to the length of the course, there are 2 excused absences.
 If you miss 3 or more class sessions, you will automatically fail the class.
 If you miss two classes in a row without proper documentation, you will need to meet with the instructor
to discuss your progress in the course.
1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
 If you are tardy, each minute after 10 minutes after the expected class time will be deducted. If the
number of minutes you are late equal the duration of class time, your lateness will cost you an
absence.(Negotiable)

8.2. Late Work and Make-Up Policy:

Late work will be accepted only in extreme circumstances (like hospitalization). If you are absent, e-mail the
homework to the instructor before class begins.

8.3. Grade Appeal Process Students earn class grades. However, a student who feels he has not received the
deserved grade may appeal the grade.(ver estatuto)

8.4. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: Below are the prohibited actions in regard to academic dishonesty
and the following consequences.
A. Cheating - the intentional use or attempt to use unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or
other devices in any academic exercise and includes the unauthorized communication of information during
an academic exercise.
B. Fabrication and falsification - the intentional and unauthorized invention of alteration of any information
or citation in an academic exercise. Fabrication is a matter of inventing or counterfeiting information for use
in any academic exercise; falsification is a matter of altering information.
C. Plagiarism - the intentional or knowing presentation of the work of another one's own without proper
acknowledgment of the source. The sole exception to the requirement of acknowledging sources is when the
ideas or information is common knowledge.
D. Complicity in academic dishonesty - intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to
commit an act of academic dishonesty.

9. REFERENCES

Required Texts: Touchstone1 / Cool and Fun 1

Chitiva, Beinerth (1999) Fundamentals of English. Vivas Publishing

Chitiva, Beinerth (2010) Laying Foundations. Vivas Publishing

Chitiva, Beinerth (2018) Cool and Fun 1. Círculo Cultural

Holt, Rinehart (1988) English Writing & Skills.

Horner, Webb (1994) Hodge´s Harbrace College Handbook. Harcourt Brace.

Kirszner, Laurie(1995) Pattern´s for College Writing. St. Martin´s Press New York.

McCarthy, Michael (2012) Touchstone 1 Cambridge University Press.

Oxford, Rebecca(1990) Language Learning Strategies. Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

1st Semester COURSE OUTLINE
Peregoy, Suzanne (2005) Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL. Pearson.

Pyle, Michael (1995) Cliffs Test of English as a Foreign Language. Cliff Notes.

Rooks, George (1988) Paragraph Power. Prentice Hall Regents

Other resources:

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
https://www.voanews.com/
http://elcquibdo.com/
http://edition.cnn.com/
http://dictionary.reference.com/
http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/
http://www.esl-lab.com/