Classes of English & Communication
ESL-091-M37 Oral Literacy
Prerequisite: TOEFL 400 (Part I)
Credit Hours: 1
Course Text: Materials packet
Course Description and Objectives
This course involves close listening to spoken English in many different contexts, including conversations, lectures, stories, and scenes from television and film. This will be supplemented by intensive study of vowel and consonant sounds, elements of syllabic reduction and sentence rhythm, and basic intonation patterns, followed by exercises which put it all into practice. There will also be many conversation-based activities, from student-moderated debates to role plays to games. Each student will also prepare a short spoken text to be presented at various times throughout the term.
For many students, nothing is more difficult than understanding ordinary spoken English. This course is designed to give these students the tools they need to unscramble the sometimes confusing sounds and rhythms of the language, while at the same time improving their own pronunciation and intonation. The goal is to be able to participate fully as speakers and listeners in any English-speaking classroom, workplace or country.
Grading/Attendance Policy
This course is graded P (pass) or NP (no pass). Attendance, class participation and completion of homework and in-class assignments are required of all students, without exception. Performance in these areas and on quizzes and partial and final exams must be satisfactory (grade of “C”) in order for students to receive a “P” grade. Those students who demonstrate unsatisfactory performance will be notified by the professor and reminded that continued problems and/or excessive absences will jeopardize their opportunity to continue their academic studies at Saint Louis University. More than six unexcused absences may result in an automatic “no pass.”
Please remember that the purpose of the ESL courses is to aid students in improving their level of English in order to be able to handle academic study at the college level in English. Students will need to achieve the required level of proficiency in English by the end of their 3rd semester, or they will not be allowed to take other academic courses at the university.
Syllabus
Week 1
PRONUNCIATION: “Lax” and “tense” vowels
LISTENING: Distinguishing between vowel sounds
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: meet the text
Week 2
PRONUNCIATION: Vowels, continued
LISTENING: Different accents, different vowels
SPEAKING: Losing your inhibitions
Week 3
PRONUNCIATION: Troublesome consonants
LISTENING: Hearing dropped consonants
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: vowel and consonant problems
Week 4
PRONUNCIATION: Consonant clusters
LISTENING: Dealing with speed
SPEAKING: Questioning and answering
Week 5
PRONUNCIATION: The schwa and how not to pronounce it
LISTENING: Short answers and omitted words
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: find those schwas
Week 6
PRONUNCIATION: Stops, flaps and other reductions
LISTENING: Understanding non-stressed words
SPEAKING: Relaying information
Midterm exam
Week 7
PRONUNCIATION: Linking
LISTENING: Listening for commonly linked expressions
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: locating links and reductions
Week 8
PRONUNCIATION: Stress timing and rhythm
LISTENING: Listening for emphasis
SPEAKING: Telling a story
Week 9
PRONUNCIATION: Basic intonation patterns
LISTENING: Listening for differences in intonation
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: getting into the rhythm
Week 10
PRONUNCIATION: Information focus and intonation
LISTENING: Listening for tone of voice
SPEAKING: Making your point
Week 11
PRONUNCIATION: Putting it all together
LISTENING: Taking notes
SPEAKING: Reading aloud: stress, intonation and meaning
Week 12
Review and final exam
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