English Language Practice
University of Zadar
Elizabeth Bull
Section Overview:
The goal of this course is to give students the confidence
to speak English in everyday situations and in front of a
group. Through newspapers, radio programs, music, film, and
literature, students will explore various ways to
understand and speak English. Students are encouraged to
be creative and engage in class discussions. Marks are
based on participation, improvement, and two public
presentations.
Final Marks will break down as follows:
- Participation: 30%
- Improvement/Skill: 30%
- Essay: 15%
- Mid-Semester and Final Presentation:
25%
Final Presentation:
The Final Exam will be a 5-10 minute prepared public
presentation by the student. Presentations can either be
extensions of a previous chosen subject or on a new subject
altogether. Students should not memorize their
presentations but work from loose outlines. Presentations
should be informative and creative and students should be
prepared to answer questions about the subject after the
presentation. Students not giving a presentation should be
prepared to ask questions to the student speaking.
Final Presentations will be graded on:
- preparation
- speaking ability
- creativity
- skill when dealing with questions
Week One
Course Overview and Introduction.
A guideline to public presentations.
Who are you? Intros and Interviews.
Preparation: Bring in the lyrics to your favorite song in
English.
Week Two
Music – Listening and Lyrics.
Present your favorite song. What does the song mean in
English? Why is this your favorite song?
Preparation: Read an article from the NY Times.
Week Three
Journalism – Newspapers/journals in the US.
Prepare and present a brief description of an article from
the NY Times.
Discuss the tone and style of the article.
Preparation: Watch an English-language television program
and write down the phrases that you don't understand.
Week Four
Idioms and Phrases.
Discuss and practice often-used phrases and idioms in the
English language.
Create group sketches based around these idioms.
Preparation: Begin work on your essay and work on your midsemester presentation.
Week Five
No class this week.
Continue work on your essay and mid-semester presentation.
Week Six
Turn in first draft of you essay. Mid-Semester
Presentations.
Preparation: Interview the oldest person you know.
Week Seven
Listen to and discuss This American Life from NPR.
How would you transform your interview into a story for
listeners?
Preparation: Create a radio-style story based on your
interview.
Week Eight
Listen to and discuss Radio Lab on NPR.
Present your interview as a story for the class.
Preparation: Bring in a photograph and/or advertisement.
Week Nine
Analyze and discuss the photo/advertisement in English.
Present your analysis to the class.
Preparation: Write a brief essay about the
photograph/advertisement.
Week Ten
Observations – Thinking in English.
We will explore the university area and try to observe the
world in English - w/o translation. How are adjectives and
descriptive phrases different when you are not translating?
Preparation: Watch or experience something you can review
in class.
Week Eleven
Opinion Pieces.
Briefly sketch an outline for your review and ask yourself
these questions - Is your opinion strong? Why did you come
up with this conclusion? Is your review informative and
entertaining?
Present your review.
Preparation: Read assigned short story
Week Twelve
Read and discuss the short story in class.
Write memorable first lines in class – what makes writing
dynamic?
Preparation: Read several short-short stories
Week Thirteen
Creative Writing in English- write a brief short-short and
share it with the class.
Preparation: Complete preparatory work on your Final
Presentations
Week Fourteen
Turn in final draft of your essay.
Question Periods.
Final Presentations and
Week Fifteen
Final Presentations and Question Periods.