Syllabus
Course title: Foundation English 5
Pre-requisites: Foundation English 4 or appropriate KEET score
Credits:
None
Instructor:
Contact Details:
Office: #
Consultation Hours:
Classroom:
Calendar Details:
Classes start –
Classes end –
Course Description
Foundation English 5 (advanced) course is the fifth step in a set of levels to be taken by
freshmen. This course focuses on four language skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and
Speaking. By the end of this course, students will be able to understand virtually everything
heard or read; summarize information from different spoken and written sources by giving strong
arguments in coherent presentations, speeches, group discussions; express themselves
spontaneously, fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning in more complex
situations. The process of writing and re-drafting of Opinion essays will be emphasized. In
addition, students will write reviews on the movies they have watched. Reading skills will be
developed by working on newspaper articles, on-line sources and extensive reading of authentic
books. Listening skills will be developed primarily through fulfilling self-study assignments.
Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
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summarize information
make references
understand discourse markers to show idea relations
find arguments for and against
write book reviews
write Opinion Essays
paraphrase
use discourse markers
write summaries
distinguish between facts, opinions and inferences
evaluate what they hear
analyze the speeches of great people
express opinions
expand the topic
respond to a piece of literature
give persuasive speeches
Course Content and Expectations
1. Methodology
Tasks (open-ended and closed-ended) are the organizing principle in a task-based approach.
In order to increase the amount of student involvement teacher –learner interaction is based
on pair, group and individual work. The focus of classroom interaction is directed away from
the teacher. Speaking is developed by breaking down the speaking skill into a number of
discrete sub- skills, such as opening and closing conversations, turn-taking, repairing,
paraphrasing, etc. Listening skills are developed through segmenting the stream of speech
into recognizable units, searching for discourse markers and using them to predict changes in
the direction of the talk, selecting key information relevant to the purpose of listening.
Reading skills are achieved by analyzing text and text purpose, summarizing information,
understanding discourse markers to see idea relations. Writing skills are developed via
paraphrasing, summarizing, writing book reviews and expressing opinions.
2. Course Plan
Two topics to be covered: Relationships and Career
3. Project work Component
Project work will help you to develop the ability to think critically. You are expected to work
with your English in an autonomous manner on a daily basis. Self-study will help to improve
your level of English. It includes: working on a topic, writing summaries, reading articles from
newspapers, magazines, online sources, making surveys, listening to news and speeches and
making notes. Students must write 3 -4 pages on a daily basis.
4. Additional Information
Assessment and Grading
Students are assessed on a weekly basis regarding all the outcomes mentioned above.
Attendance and participation
10 %
Projects:
35 %
15 %
10 %
10 %
Portfolio
First opinion essay
First persuasive speech
(in pairs)
10 min speech
5 min discussion)
Home Reading and Film Reviews
15 %
Final Assessment
40 %
15 %
15 %
Opinion essay
Persuasive speech
( individually)
10 min speech;
5 min discussion )
Portfolio
10%
Home Reading and Movie Watching
Home reading includes reading (extensive) different original stories (not less than 40 pages
per week) to be able to perform different kinds of tasks.
Tasks on watching movies include discussions and film reviews.
Final Assessment
Final assessment includes Final Persuasive speech, Final Opinion Essay and Portfolio.
Final Persuasive Speech
Final speech is based on project work. Students start working on their Final Speech on the 4th
week of studies. The process of preparation will consist of several stages:
 choosing the topic
 justification of it
 doing research
 doing survey
Final Opinion Essay
Final Opinion Essay is based on project work.
Final Portfolio includes:
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articles with summaries and vocabulary assignments
critical thinking questions
listening materials with notes, summaries and references
The passing grade is 60%.
Books and Materials:
Paulette Dale and James C. Wolf Longman Speech Communication Made Simple..
Patrick Sebranek, Verne Meyer and Dave Kemper Write for College
http://www.esl-lab.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/teachingenglish/plans/witn_archive.shtmlww
w.bre akingnewsenglish.com
http://topics.cnn.com
http://www.voanews.com/english
http://www.guardian.com/en/index1.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/audio
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/tools_and_services/podcasts/
http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/sound-and-vision/?vid=759704
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/podcasts/
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/multimedia/podcasts.html
http://www.openculture.com/2006/10/university_podc.html
http://www.openculture.com/2007/07/freeonlinecourses.html
http://www.podcastalley.com/
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all classes. At 15% of missed classes a student will get
“Fail” for the course automatically.
There is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences.
Students are required to be on time for all classes. If students arrive later than 10 minutes
after the start of the class, instructors have the right to refuse entry. This includes
attendance at final exams.
Participation Evaluation Criteria
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
Student always contributes activity and positively in class and works well with
classmates. Tasks and homework are always completed on time. Overall, displays an
excellent attitude.
Student is nearly always active and positive in class. 90% of tasks and homework are
completed on time.
Student shows a reasonable attitude in class, contributing well most of the time. But
sometimes homework and other tasks are not completed or given on time ( 70% to 80%)
Student participates passively. Generally does not cooperate in group activities. Tasks
and homework are often not done on time.
Student’s contribution is rarely adequate. Negative or apathetic class conduct. Tasks
seldom or never done.
Unable to judge properly due to total or almost total lack of participation or attendance.
The instructor is responsible for informing students of the attendance and participation policy
approved at the department and its effect on their grade during the first class period. The student
is responsible for knowing the policy for each class.
Ethics
For further details refer to “Codes of Conduct” in the KIMEP Catalog.
Approved by:
1. ___________________________
Zaira Utebayeva
Chair: Language Center Curriculum Committee
2. ___________________________________
Kenneth J. Saycell
Director: Language Center
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Date
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Date