BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE
ENSL B22 Course Syllabus
Pronunciation/Comprehension
Course Number 32697
Instructor:
Phone:
Office Hours:
TR 4:10 – 5:35
1/17 to 5/13
John Hart
395-4264
MW 10-12:30
LA 109
3 Units
Office: FA 63
E-Mail: jhart@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/jhart
ESL Website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/esl
Recommended: ENSL B75, ENSL B71, B21
Course Description: ENSL B22 is a pronunciation course designed to improve the speech intelligibility and fluency of
intermediate to advanced learners of North American English. Using the principles of articulatory phonetics, this semesterlong class focuses on the stress patterns, rhythm, and intonation of spoken English. Extensive practice exercises as well as
in-class individual and group oral presentations provide students of all language groups the opportunity to modify those
nonnative speech patterns that interfere with effective and effortless oral communication in English.
Student Learning Outcomes
1.
Students will develop listening skills including listening for main ideas, listening for details, and making
predictions.
2.
Students will develop pronunciation skills by practicing suprasegmental features of English including
 Thought Groups
 Intonation
 Syllable and Sentence Stress
 Rhythm
 Linking
3.
Students will develop speaking skills by participating in small and large group discussions and presenting prepared
oral presentations in front of the class.
4.
Student will develop lecture note-taking skills
Required Text: Talk It Over! Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation. Joann Rishel Kozyrev
Course Requirements:
1. Weekly attendance and punctuality are expected by this instructor. Consult with the instructor if there are special
concerns or problems regarding either attendance or punctuality.
2. Students will be graded on homework, oral presentations, quizzes, participation, and attendance. All students
completing the semester will receive a letter grade.
Assignments: Assignments will be given during each class session and are due on the dates set by the instructor. Late
assignments will not be accepted except at the instructor’s discretion, and credit may be reduced. Students missing classes
are responsible for assignments and information. Students are expected to be in class for all tests, quizzes, examinations,
and assigned oral presentations. Exceptions must be arranged in advance of the scheduled due dates.
General: Please be polite and considerate by not bringing cell phones, pagers, headphones, and any other unnecessary
noisemaker to class. If you must bring a pager and/or cell phone to class, please leave the class to use it. Also, people that
are not registered at the school (friends and children) may not attend class due to school liability issues.
Students with Disabilities: Bakersfield College will make reasonable accommodations and/or academic adjustments to
ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the college's courses, programs and
activities, including extracurricular activities. Students with disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations or
auxiliary aids should contact Supportive Services in FACE 16, or by calling (661) 395-4334. Participation by students
with disabilities in Supportive Services is voluntary. Any student choosing not to participate in the program may elect an
alternate path for support services through the office of the Dean of Learning Support Services.
Support Services Website
http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/supportiveservices/
Instructor Goals: I am committed to the success of every student enrolled in ENSL B22. If any questions, concerns, or
problems arise concerning the course, please see me.
Grading Criteria: This course may be taken for a letter grade or Credit/Non-Credit. You must complete the necessary
form obtained in the Admissions Office, have it signed by the instructor and returned to Admissions..
Grading Categories
1. Homework
2. Oral Presentations
3. Tests
# of assignments
to be determined
3-4
2-3
Grading Scale:
A
100-90%
B
89-80%
C
79-70%
D
F
Important Dates:
January 28 (Friday)
February 22 (Tuesday)
April 1 (Friday)
May 12 (Thursday)
Grade Weight
40%
40%
20%
69-60%
below 60%
Last day for refunds for semester length classes
Last day to drop without a “W” on transcript
Last day to drop with a “W” on transcript
Final Day – Meet for grades
Note: If you decide to drop the class, you are responsible for dropping by the specified dates. Don’t expect me to do it for
you. Failure to drop the class by the specified dates will result in an F.
Really Important Dates! The college is closed on the following dates:
January 17 (Monday)
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
February 18 (Friday)
Lincoln’s Day Holiday
February 21 (Monday)
Washington’s Day Holiday
April 18-23 (Monday – Friday)
Spring Break (Easter Holiday)
No Class These Days:
May 10 (Tuesday)
Finals Schedule
Homework Assignments and Presentation Topics
Chapter
1
Page
13
16
30
2
3
34
Skill
Thought
Groups
Living History
Project
Question and
Answer
Intonation
Game Shows
on the Internet
Formal
Presentation #1
Further instructions
Answer each question in complete sentences. Failure to answer in complete
sentence will result in reduced credit.
Be prepared to present your information to the class.
Write down at least 5 questions from the program that you watch. Mark
the intonation pattern of each question. Be prepared to read 1 or 2 or your
questions to the class.
Choose a favorite game show and find out what you have to do to get on to
the show. Be prepared to describe the show and application process to the
class.
Prepare a short 3-5 minute presentation on someone who has been active in
helping the environment, the community, the family, or some other worthy
cause. Describe
50
 Who the individual is
 His or her background
 Why the individual became involved
 What problem he or she has helped to fix
 How the person has helped fix the problem
 What else can be done to fix the problem
Be prepared to describe the program that you watched to the class.
Listening to a
Television or
Radio
Documentary
Test 1 – Note taking, listening, and speaking
67
Rhythm and
Your definition should contain an example as well as the definition itself.
Sentence Stress Be prepared to present to the class.
4
– Practice
Giving
Definitions
82
Come up with 3 predictions and give a reason why you believe each
5
Focal Stress
prediction will come true. Be prepared to present your information to the
class.
101
Prepare a 3-5 minute presentation about how to do something. Use page
Formal
101 to help you prepare. You will be presenting this to the entire class, but,
6
Presentation #2 keep in mind that you will be sitting in your desk as you present. The class
will be sitting in a circle for each presentation.
118
Use the bottom of page 118 – Communicative Practice – to help you
Important
7
prepare. Be prepared to share your story in front of the class without
Endings
notes.
Test 2 – Note taking, listening, and speaking
140Prepare a short role play based on the situations given on pages 140-141.
8
141
Role-Play
With your group, do any research that is necessary in order to understand
the situations better. Be prepared to present your role play to the class.
The class will be divided into 3 groups of 10. Each group will choose a topic
to debate. Go to one of these websites to choose a topic.
http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_index.php
http://inst.sfcc.edu/~hfl/SPEECH/debate.htm
After your group has chosen a topic, each group will be divided in half.
One side (5 people) will be pro (for), and the other side (5 people) will be
con (against). The format of the debate will follow this outline:
1. Opening Statement (Pro)
2. Opening Statement (Con)
3. Debate:
 First Point (Pro)… Refute First Point (Con)
Formal
 First Point (Con)... Refute First Point (Pro)
Presentation #3
Final
83-84
Panel debate
 Second Point (Pro)… Refute Second Point (Con)
 Second Point (Con)… Refute Second Point (Pro)
 Continue until all points are made
4. Closing Summary (Pro)
5. Closing Summary (Con)
The entire debate should last at least 20 minutes.
Each debate will be judged and scored by the instructor and class
members. A winner of each debate and an overall winner will be
determined.