SYLLABUS

A syllabus is a document that outlines the content, structure, and expectations of

a course or program of study. It serves as a guide for both instructors and
students, detailing what will be taught, how it will be assessed, and the materials
needed for the course.

Types of Syllabi in English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

In English for Specific Purposes (ESP), a syllabus outlines what students will learn
and how they will be assessed. There are several types of syllabi, each serving a
unique purpose:

1. Evaluation Syllabus

The evaluation syllabus explains the grading criteria and assessment methods for
the course. It helps students understand what is expected to pass and how their
performance will be evaluated. This syllabus typically includes details about tests,
projects, and participation, often with a breakdown of how much each
component contributes to the final grade.

For example, a medical English syllabus might state that 40% of the grade comes
from written tests, 30% from oral presentations, and 30% from class participation.

2. Material Syllabus

A material syllabus refers to a detailed outline of the physical and digital

resources required to facilitate learning in a specific course. It includes the
textbooks, online resources, software, equipment, and additional materials
necessary for the course. The material syllabus provides guidance on what
students will need throughout the course to successfully complete their studies,
both in theory and practical application.

Example: Culinary Art student who learn professional cooking require textbook to
learn, severing etiquettes and recipe, apart from this they need equipments like
chef's knife, cutting board etc. they need online resources for further learning,
and other additional materials like handouts and recipe books.

3. Organizational Syllabus

An organizational syllabus is a comprehensive guide that outlines the structure

and flow of a course. It provides students with a clear roadmap of what they will
learn, the topics that will be covered each week, and the expectations regarding
assignments and assessments. Additionally, the syllabus highlights important
deadlines, such as quiz dates, midterms, projects, and final exams, ensuring
students are prepared throughout the course.This syllabus serves as a vital tool in
helping students stay organized and engaged throughout their learning journey.

For example: Weekly Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction to Science

Week 2: Scientific Method

Week 3: Basic Chemistry

Week 4: Basic Physics

Week 5: Biology Overview

Week 6: Earth Science

Important Dates:

Quiz: End of Week 3

Midterm: End of Week 4

Project Due: Week 5

Final Exam: Week 6

Class rules:
Assignments must be submitted on time.

Participation in class discussions is required.

Be respectful to everyone.

4. Learner Syllabus

The learner syllabus is customized to meet the needs and goals of individual
students. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the course aligns with what
students want to achieve. This syllabus may include personal learning objectives
and suggested topics for research or projects.

For example, a syllabus for marketing students might focus on basic marketing
terminology, online advertising techniques, and persuasive communication skills
needed for creating effective campaigns.

5. Teacher Syllabus

The teacher syllabus is a tool that helps instructors by outlining effective ways to
teach the course. It includes information on how to plan lessons, different
teaching methods, and strategies for managing the classroom. This helps teachers
keep their lessons focused on the course goals.

An example could be a syllabus that lists various teaching techniques, such as

group work and presentations, along with a timeline for each topic to be covered.

6. Classroom Syllabus

The classroom syllabus provides a clear schedule for each class. It lists what topics
will be taught and what activities will take place. This helps students understand
what to expect and get ready for future lessons.

For example, a classroom syllabus might show the topics for each week, like
vocabulary lessons and group discussions, along with the dates for each activity.
This way, both students and teachers can stay organized during the course.
 ASSESSMENT
Assessment is a way to check how much a student knows and understands in a
subject. It helps teachers see how well students are learning and what they might
need to work on. Assessments can be in different forms, like tests, quizzes,
projects, and presentations. They are important for helping teachers adjust their
lessons and making sure students reach their learning goals.

1. Proficiency Assessment

Proficiency assessments are designed to evaluate a student's overall

understanding and skills in a specific subject area. These assessments help
determine whether a student has the necessary knowledge to advance to more
challenging material.

For example, an English proficiency test may assess a student's reading

comprehension, writing ability, and speaking skills to determine if they are ready
for higher-level language courses or programs.

2. Placement Assessment

Placement assessments help determine the appropriate level of a course for a

student based on their current knowledge and skills. These assessments are
usually conducted before the start of a course to ensure that students are placed
in classes that match their abilities.

For instance, a language school might give a placement test to decide whether a
student should start in beginner, intermediate, or advanced English classes,
ensuring that they receive instruction suitable for their skill level.

3. Diagnostic Assessment

Diagnostic assessments are designed to identify students’ strengths and

weaknesses before instruction begins. These assessments help teachers
understand what students know and where they may need additional support.
For example, a diagnostic test for nursing students might check how well they
know basic medical words and patient care ideas. By looking at the results,
teachers can change their lessons to help students in areas where they need more
practice, making learning more effective.

4. Progress Assessment

Progress assessments are used during the learning process to track how well a
student is improving and understanding new information over time. These
assessments help teachers see what students are learning well and where they
may need extra help.

For example, giving weekly quizzes in a science class can show which topics
students understand and which ones need more attention.

5. Achievement Assessment

Achievement assessments check what students have learned by the end of a

certain time, like a unit or a semester. These assessments are usually more formal
and cover a lot of material, measuring the knowledge and skills students have
gained.

For instance, a final project in a science class might require students to design
and present an experiment, showing what they have learned throughout the
course.

6. Formative Assessment

Formative assessments are regular checks that happen during learning. They are
meant to give feedback to both students and teachers, allowing them to adjust
teaching and learning methods right away.

For example, class discussions or short quizzes can help teachers see how well
students understand the material and provide immediate feedback to strengthen
learning and correct any misunderstandings.
7. Submission Assessment

Submission assessments involve grading student work that is turned in for review,
like assignments, projects, or essays. These assessments focus on how well
students follow the task requirements and show their understanding of the
subject.

For example, a creative writing assignment may be assessed on aspects like

originality, clarity, and proper grammar, providing students with feedback to
enhance their writing skills.

ISSUES IN ESP
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a type of English teaching that focuses on
specific fields like business, law, or medicine. While it helps students learn the
language they need for their careers, it also comes with some challenges. These
challenges affect both teachers and students, making it harder to meet learning
goals. Below are some of the key issues faced in ESP.

1. Learning Diversity: ESP classrooms often consist of students from diverse

educational and professional backgrounds. Some students may already have a
good grasp of English, while others may be beginners. Additionally, students have
different learning preferences—some prefer hard notes, others soft notes, and
some may favor reading or listening activities. This diversity makes it difficult for
teachers to cater to everyone’s needs.

If the teacher moves at a fast pace to keep advanced learners engaged, beginners
may fall behind. On the other hand, slowing down may bore the advanced
students. Striking a balance that suits all students is a significant challenge for ESP
instructors.

2. Limited Resources: ESP requires specialized materials that focus on specific

fields like business, medicine, or law. However, these materials are often difficult
to find. Teachers are sometimes forced to create their own resources, which can
be time-consuming. Additionally, limited budgets in many educational institutions
make it hard to acquire the necessary resources, further complicating the
teaching process in ESP. These shortages create significant hurdles for both
teachers and students.

3. Teacher Training: Teachers need special training to effectively teach ESP

courses. Beyond general English, teachers must be familiar with field-specific
vocabulary.

For example, an ESP teacher in an engineering class should know terms like
"thermodynamics." If the teacher lacks this knowledge, a gap in understanding
can arise, affecting students' learning outcomes. Proper training enables teachers
to bridge this gap and deliver relevant and accurate instruction in specialized
fields.

4. Curriculum Design: ESP curricula need regular updates to keep up with the
changing practices and technologies in different fields.

For example, if a new software program is widely adopted in business, the

curriculum should include lessons on how to use it. An outdated curriculum
prevents students from gaining the necessary skills to succeed in their respective
professions. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that ESP programs are current and
reflective of industry trends to enhance student learning.

5. Assessment Issue

Assessment in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) can be quite challenging. One
main issue is that traditional tests may not accurately measure what students
have learned in their specific fields. These tests usually focus on general English
skills, which might not reflect a student's ability to use technical language or apply
their knowledge in real-world situations.

For instance, consider a student preparing for a career in medicine. A typical

English test might evaluate grammar and vocabulary but not assess the student's
proficiency in communicating with patients or writing medical reports. If the
student understands medical terminology and can articulate concepts clearly yet
performs poorly on a general English test, it fails to represent their true
capabilities in their professional area.
 COURSE DESIGN

Course Title: English Communication for Journalists

Course Duration: 1-2 semesters (depends on the curriculum)

Course Objectives:

 Improve English skills for reporting, writing, and presenting in journalism.

 Strengthen research and critical thinking by analyzing news content.
 Develop writing, editing, and storytelling for different media.
 Promote ethical reporting, cultural understanding, and honesty in
journalism.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Communication and Reporting Skills

 Finding news and information

 Listening skills for interviews
 Writing clear and accurate news
 Using body language in interviews and news broadcasts

Module 2: Writing and Editing News

 Writing news articles, feature stories, and opinions

 Proofreading and editing news
 Writing good headlines
 Investigative writing

Module 3: Media Analysis and Critical Thinking

 Recognizing media bias and fairness

 Thinking critically when evaluating news sources
 Studying ethical challenges in journalism
 Analyzing international news
Module 4: Digital Media and Storytelling

 Creating blogs, videos, and podcasts

 Using multimedia to tell stories
 Writing for social media
 Presenting data and statistics in journalism

Module 5: Ethics and Cultural Sensitivity in Journalism

 Ethics and honesty in journalism

 Reporting on sensitive topics (like war or disasters)
 Understanding different cultures in global reporting
 Media law and free speech

Teaching Methods:

 Lectures and workshops

 Group discussions and debates
 Role-playing for interviews and news writing
 Peer-reviewed writing tasks
 Case studies

Assessment:

 Writing tasks (news articles, features) – 30%

 Group discussions and debates – 20%
 Quizzes on ethics, law, and media analysis – 20%
 Final project (investigative report or multimedia story) – 30%

Course Materials:

 Books on journalism (e.g., "The Elements of Journalism" by Kovach &

Rosenstiel)
 News websites (e.g., The Guardian, BBC)
 Documentaries and news videos
 Articles on ethics and media law
Key Skills:

 Reporting and writing

 Critical thinking and media evaluation
 Storytelling for different platforms
 Ethical decision-making
 Editing

Guest Lectures:

 Journalists
 Media law experts
 Ethics experts in journalism

Electives:

 Investigative journalism
 Broadcast journalism
 3. Social media in journalism
 4. Global journalism and human rights

Course Evaluation:

 Feedback from students

 Teacher evaluation
 Peer review
 Program assessment
 Alumni feedback