2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses English language courses
Oral Expression in English 14 2
- Academic unit or major
- English language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Jonathan Abel
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- 2
- Course Code
- LAE.E432
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
All of the “Oral Expression in English” courses are devoted to improving students' skills in speaking. Apart from making presentations, effective speaking also involves effective listening, so the classwork and homework in these courses require that students carry out both interactive speech and get engaged in listening exercises.
As a graduate-level elective course, Oral Expression in English 14 continues the approach taken by Oral Expression in English 13 with its focus on students making critical responses to readings provided in advance of the weekly class. Students will discuss the readings in detail, and they will make oral presentations about phenomena and behaviours that they think exemplify or are related to the topics of particular readings.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to recognise and discuss (both in class and elsewhere) about multiple examples from their daily lives and from the media describing phenomena and behaviours introduced in the readings.
Keywords
speaking, listening,oral communication, interactive
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
While we continue to explore a variety of issues, an emphasis is placed on group work throughout the course because this course is designed to help students develop skills that are increasingly important in a globalizing world: the ability to work with people from different background, active listening, and critical thinking. The class is highly interactive. Therefore, students are expected to complete all readings and come to class prepared for discussion.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction Class activity | Speaking exercise |
| Class 2 | Class discussion: Location | Students are responsible for reading all handouts. |
| Class 3 | Class discussion & group work 1: Travel | Students are responsible for reading all handouts. |
| Class 4 | Class discussion & group work 2: Sport | Students are responsible for reading all handouts. |
| Class 5 | Class discussion & group work 3: Relationships | Students are responsible for reading all handouts. |
| Class 6 | Group presentation: Class will divide into groups and give presentations | Students are expected to evaluate their own presentations. |
| Class 7 | Review and finsl interview test | Self-assessment and interview |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Handouts
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Suggested Web sites:
TED Talks https://www.ted.com/
VOA http://www.voanews.com/
NPR http://www.npr.org/
TED, VOA and NPR provide video transcripts.
Scientific American (video and podcasts “60-second science”) http://www.scientificamerican.com/
BBC http://www.bbc.com/news
National Geographic http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Evaluation methods and criteria
The grade for the quarter will be determined as follows:
Class participation: 40%
Evaluation will be based on attitude, contribution, improvement, and a willingness to learn. Absences and late arrivals will result in a lower grade.
Group presentation: 35%
Individual presentation: 25%
Related courses
- LAE.E431 ： Oral Expression in English 13
Prerequisites
none
Other
It is recommended that students take this course in sequence with LAE.E431 (Oral Expression in English 13).
Attendance at the first class is compulsory for students planning to take this course.