INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY, BANGLADESH

COURSE OUTLINE

Part A
I. Course Information:
ENGLISH SPEAKING & LISTENING
Course Code ENG 101 Course Title
SKILLS
SPRING 2023
Semester / Year Level / Term 100 / 1st Semester

Course Type FOUNDATION Pre-requisite (If any) None

Credit Value 3 Contact Hours / Week 3
Section 8 Total Marks 100

II. Instructor Information:

Name Ms.Nadira Mirza Designation Adjunct Faculty

E-mail [email protected] Office Room

C3005 MW- 11.30- 1.30
Classroom Tutorial

Class Hours 1.5x 2= 3 hours

III. Course Rationale/Summary

This course aims to improve freshmen students’ English language skills for communication in everyday
situations in an academic setting. The course provides students need-centered, outcome-oriented
learning environment to meet their everyday functional English speaking and listening needs in IUB. It is
an integrated course like the other foundation English courses of IUB, i.e., although the course targets the
listening and speaking skills of students, it also exposes students to a holistic communicative classroom
environment where all the four skills of language teaching/learning – listening, speaking, reading and
writing – are simultaneously taught to improve students’ listening and speaking proficiencies. The course
content therefore focuses on developing students’ public speaking abilities by both raising their fluency
and accuracy through language exposure and practice, as well as equipping them with social skills for
effective oral communication.

IV. Course Objectives (COs)

1. Raise accuracy in oral production by exposing students to contextually relevant language and
paralanguage.
2. Increase fluency in oral communication by engaging students in relevant tasks and activities
that enable them to practice using their knowledge of English language in real life situations.
3. Improve overall communicative proficiency in English by making students aware of the various
functions of social/public communication and how different texts (both oral and written) help
fulfil those functions.

V. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be better able to:

1. Understand and use a variety of English expressions related to their academic and everyday lives.
2. Infer meaning from both social and linguistic contexts.
3. Relate learning a second language with their personal experience of studying in an English
medium environment.
4. Report experiences, give instructions, and provide feedback using both casual and academic
language.
5. Develop conversational strategies to solve everyday problems.
6. Give opinions and express arguments in easy English.
7. Recast and negotiate meaning using communication strategies appropriate for different social
settings.
8. Participate in routine conversations in the classroom.
9. Use a variety of language functions for public communication.
10. Apply appropriate pronunciation skills aimed at mutually intelligible communication.
11. Develop public speaking skills in formal/academic contexts.

VI. Mapping CLOs within PLOs (Program Learning Outcomes)

PLO1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO5 PLO 7

(Knowledge) (Critical Thinking, (Communication) (Sustainability) (Lifelong
Cognitive and Learning)
Practical Skills)
CLO1 3 3 3 3 2

CLO2 3 3 3 3 3

CLO3 3 3 1

CLO4 2 3 3 3 3
CLO 5 3 3 3 3
CLO 6 3 3 3 3
CLO 7 2 3 3 3 3
CLO 8 3 3
CLO 9 3 3 3 3
CLO 10 1 2 3 3 3
CLO 11 3 3 3
 3-Strong Correlation, 2- Medium Correlation, 1- Low Correlation

VII. Contact Hours/Hours of student work outside of class

To enable students to achieve the course’s intended outcomes, i.e., to achieve English speaking and
listening proficiency at par with academic and market requirements, they will be required to attend
weekly study hours according to table below.

Classroom 1.5 x 2 = 3 hours

Class preparation/project/homework 2 hours
Tutorials/ELRC practice**/problem solving 1 hour
TOTAL HOURS = 6 HOURS
**ELRC -- English Language Resource Center -- practice/tutorials are mandatory for students who receive
lower than marks equivalent to a B grade in their first two tests/quizzes.

VIII. Methods of Instruction:

This course has been developed keeping in mind a mixed method approach. Throughout the semester,
students’ listening and speaking skills in English will be improved by engaging them in both culturally and
socially relevant language, as well as by teaching them communication and learning strategies. The course
contents and pedagogy will strongly focus on building basic academic skills like: note taking, describing
something, giving and following instructions, giving and receiving feedback, presenting a thought/an idea,
summarizing information, understanding both specific and general meanings in context – all with the aim
of developing basic communication etiquette in an academic setting. Overall, students’ need-based,
inductive, problem solving-focused teaching methods will be used in this course. These may include, but
are not limited to:

- Whole class discussion -- to determine students’ comprehension of class material, develop speaking
strategies, and promote listening.

- Pair/small group writing activities -- to synthesize ideas, apply class content to student knowledge and
discuss feedback with teacher.

- Cooperative problem solving -- to promote understanding of point of view, brainstorm ideas related to
class content, express cross-cultural comparisons, and find examples related to key course contents.

- Individual speaking and listening activities -- suited for the digital classroom.

- Use of videos and podcasts related to course content and current events -- to develop discourse skills
and promote awareness of culture as it relates to effective communication.

- Teaching and assessing students’ linguistic and communicative strategies -- through public speaking
activities, live interviews and conversations between 2-3 students, or between a student and the teacher.
- Peer feedback -- to develop strategies for providing and receiving critical feedback and
negotiating/arguing convincingly.

Part B
I. Assessment and Marks Distribution
- Students will be assessed through a variety of interactive and independent methods.

- Both in-class and homework tasks/assignments will be continuously assessed and marked throughout
the semester.

- Exams and quizzes (AND class participation) will combine both traditional and new digital methods of
assessment.

- All four skills will be assessed, although the weight will be more on speaking, listening, and reading
skills.

The final numeric score will be based on:

Midterm exam -- Speaking 05 + Reading/Writing/Grammar 05 + Listening 05 = 15 marks

4 Quizzes/tests (preferably listening/speaking tests; teacher will either calculate average or total marks
of all tests for final assessment) -
40 marks

Class work and class participation = 15 marks

Home + ELRC + guided practice – 10 marks

Final Exam – Speaking (conversation test) 10 + Reading/ Writing/Grammar 05 + Listening 05 = 20 marks

Total 100 marks

**In case of any unprecedented emergency, as has happened in the case of Covid pandemic, this
course structure and assessment policy may have to be re-evaluated to suit the urgent needs of that
time. **

The detailed distribution is furnished below:

CIE- Continuous Internal Evaluation SMEE- Semester Mid & End

(65 Marks) Examination (35 Marks)

Class Work + Home Quizzes Midterm Final

Participation Assignments
Total Marks =
100
15 10 40 15 20

Bloom’s
Category

Remember 2 4 4 2

Understand 3 5 10 4 5

Apply 3 10 4 5

Analyze 2 6 2 5

Evaluate 2 5 1 3

Create 3 5 5

II. Grade Conversion Scheme:

The chart below will be followed for grading. This is a universal rubric provided by the School of Liberal
Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS), IUB.
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F

90-100 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 0-44

* Numbers are inclusive

Part C
Required Materials:
Students will be provided soft copies (PDF) of the following 2 main course books, along with some of their
audio files:
“Touchstone Student’s Book 1”

“Speak Out 2nd Edition Upper Intermediate”

Internet-based support resources (can be also used for outside-class practice)

 Lessons, games, quizzes & more for ESL learners

https://www.englishclub.com/

 Academic Word List

http://www.uefap.com/vocab/select/awl.htm

 Academic Collocation List

https://pearsonpte.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AcademicCollocationList.pdf

 Guide to punctuation –

A comprehensive guide from the University of Sussex

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/informatics/punctuation/

https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/index.html

 Giving presentations and taking part in discussions

https://www.eapfoundation.com/speaking/

https://www.ihbristol.com/useful-english-expressions

 Using PowerPoint in Presentations

https://student.unsw.edu.au/using-powerpoint

http://tutorials.istudy.psu.edu/oralpresentations/oralpresentations3.html

 Websites/apps for pronunciation practice

1. YouTube videos from English Central, mmmEnglish, Learn English with Alice, Rachel’s English, English Language
Club,Sounds American, TED talk, Netflix and tv serials

2. The Sounds Pronunciation App

3.Elsa Speak: English Accent Coach App

4. English Pronunciation App

5. Pronunciation App

6. Say it App

7. naturalreaders.com

8. eflnet.com

9. espressoenglish

10. https://www.podcastsinenglish.com/
11. https://www.englishclub.com/

12. https://www.fluentu.com/

13. http://elllo.org/

14. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/speaking
 Other Online Resources for Pronunciation Practice

1. BBC site (pronunciation tips) contains videos, quizzes, activities and downloads to help you practice English
pronunciation. You can imitate the sound, rhythm, intonation and stress of the words or symbols on the video or
audio clips.

2. Cambridge English Online.com offers various fun and challenging ways by which you can improve your
pronunciation and knowledge of phonetics.

3. English Central has numerous free videos and tutorials that can help you properly pronounce sounds.

4.Logic of English for orthographic practice.

5. My language exchange.com for becoming fluent in any language while making friends with ‘native’ speakers.

6.Helen’s language listening practice.

**NOTE FOR TEACHERS**

Teachers will need to use texts/websites/apps/other online or interactive resources and activities
beyond these two books, but must ensure that the external materials match the course’s learning
outcomes as well as the language functions to be taught this course.

Part D
Course Policies:
1. It is the student’s responsibility to gather information about the assignments and covered topics
during the classes missed.
2. Students must have basic computer literacy, which includes knowing how to use MS Word, MS
PowerPoint, web browsers, audio-visual equipment, e-mail, features of the Google Classroom and
associated Drive, etc.
3. Regular class attendance is mandatory. 2 marks will be taken off for missing more than 3 classes.
In order to get their attendance, a student must come into class within the first 20 minutes of
class.
4. Class participation will be facilitated and marked in a variety of ways.

(What is class participation? Answer: It is being proactively communicative and engaged in the activities
and topics discussed in the class. This may include giving constructive comments and feedback, asking
questions, helping peers understand the class topics, etc.)

5. There is no provision for rescheduling or make up of exams/quizzes unless a student can provide
genuine reason for requesting so. In such a case, the teacher’s decision will prevail.
 6. Students must also learn basic technological troubleshooting, as digital learning is the new
normal. For help needed beyond your skill level, contact the IUB IT helpdesk at the email given on
IUB website.
7. Copying/cheating/plagiarism in assignments and exams will be duly treating according the policy
described in IUB Green Book.
8. Students must regularly check both physical notice boards (around campus) and Google
Classroom/Email for communication/instructions from the teacher or the university. They must
remain updated about recent notices, memos, and circulars posted on the IUB website, especially
those notices regarding course and examination related issues. So, for example, if a student
misses a centralized exam due to their ignorance of a notice, there will be no provision of a make-
up exam for that student.
9. A student may decide to withdraw from a course before the stipulated deadline and must apply
via IRAS. However, if a student misses a total of 8 classes in a course, s/he will automatically end
up with a ‘W’ grade.
10. Students must maintain IUB code of conduct and ethical guidelines (even on the online platform,
Google Classroom).
11. Mobile phone use during class is not allowed, unless the teacher requires the students to use it
for a specific activity.
12. Recording the class without the teacher’s explicit/written permission will be treated as a
disciplinary misconduct according to IUB policy.

** If a student has any special need (due to health, disability, etc.), they must inform the teacher and
the English department confidentially through email at the beginning of the semester, so that suitable
learning and assessment arrangements can be considered. **

Part E: Weekly Course Content

**Exam and test/quiz schedules are tentative**

Content/Topic Intended Learning Outcomes Teaching &

Session
include: Assessment
s
Strategy
- Learning expressions related to new Individual and pair
student life, subjects, campus, etc. speaking and listening
- Identifying and understanding the tasks
essentials of both casual and formal
introductions with strangers
- Learning to give information about
oneself and requesting information
Week 1 Introductions from others when making a new
acquaintance
- Developing casual expressions for
small talk
- Understanding turn taking in a
conversation
- Learning present simple and
progressive tense
 - Interpreting images Conversation tasks
- Describing everyday life and routine
- Using terms for expressing agreement
Habits/Daily
or disagreement Grammar work
Activities/Everyday Life - Learning Subject Verb Agreement
Week 2
- Continuing learning to use present
tense Independent speaking –
prepared and
impromptu
- Reflecting on surroundings and using Conversation tasks
language to describe them
- Imagining situations and giving
language to those imaginations for Individual and group
Past and Imaginary Events known/unknown audiences listening tasks
Week 3 - Learning to use past tense
Test 1
- Learning adjectives
Grammar and writing
tasks

- Learning common expressions related Individual and pair

to phone and email etiquette listening and speaking
- Taking notes and organizing them tasks
Appointments/ Phone - Clarifying information by asking follow
Week 4 Calls/Emails/Lifestyle up questions
- Describing lifestyle Conversations
- Learning question making in English

- Identifying appropriate questions for Informal debates

different queries
- Learning relevant expressions related
to questions and answers Feedback and questions
- Learning to request clarification for or to classmates
to explain something
Week 5 Likes-Dislikes/Tastes - Linking questions with appropriate
answers Writing and grammar
- Learning to substantiate spoken tasks
answers with evidence, examples, etc.
- Learning adverbs and adjectives

- Developing expressions to request for Pair and individual

and give directions speaking and listening
Neighborhoods/Surroundings - Identifying and using the right tasks
/ questions in a conversation, to learn
Week 6
Environment about a place/space
Test 2 - Learning expressions to describe Writing and grammar
places and landmarks tasks
- Learning to talk about time
 - Learning prepositions

MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS
Week 7

- Explaining a process like shopping Individual speaking tasks

- Forming opinions
Wishes/Dreams/Spending - Expressing different or opposite views
Week 8 - Speaking to a general audience about Writing and grammar
common public issues tasks
- Continuing practicing Subject Verb
Agreement
- Describing a place Independent speaking in
- Combining cultural knowledge to front of a class – from
develop culturally sensitive language to preparation to delivery
discuss other cultures
- Continuing to learn different past
tense forms Grammar tasks
- Learning expressions to talk about the
Travel/Cultures/History future
Week 9
Test 3 - Developing an understanding of the
listener/audience for more focused
speech
- Learning adverbs
- Learning modal verbs and their
significance

- Organizing ideas to narrate an event Classroom debates

- Learning to substantiate spoken
answers with evidence, examples, etc.
- Continuing learning expressions
Week 10 Remembering related to different communicative
functions like politeness, requests,
advice, refusals, etc.

- Linking images and texts Group and individual

withemotions speaking and listening
- Identifying and using appropriate tasks
expressions to describe a person’s
character and looks
Feelings/Emotions/ - Formulating expressions/strategies for Group discussions
Week 11 Personalities an unpleasant/uninteresting
Test 4 conversation
- Learning how to change a topic in a
Grammar tasks
conversation
- Describing similarities and differences
- Continuing learning question making
and modal verbs
 Independent formal,
public speaking tasks
- Formulating linguistic and
communicative strategies to give
Week 12 Food/Eating negative comments/feedback Argumentation (in
- Analyzing similarities and differences conversation) tasks
- Continuing learning adverbs

FINAL EXAMINATIONS