American English Speaking and Listening

Required Texts:         Well Said: 2nd Edition, Linda Grant

Course Description

This 1 “N” credit course is designed to allow international graduate students the opportunity to address specific oral skills to prepare them for the academic environment.  Students will refine their communication skills through listening, discussions, and oral presentations.  To further improve intelligibility when speaking in a classroom situation, international students will learn the importance of cultural cues.   

The class meets for one eighty minute period per week.  Since problem areas will differ depending on the first language of the students, the program of study has been developed based on a contrastive analysis of English utilizing, for example, consonant distinctions, segmentals, stress, rhythm, and intonation.  Students will receive individual and small group instruction to maximize speaker/listener interaction and presentation skills.  The course is also designed to address the communicative needs of those ITAs who speak a dialect of English which is not readily understandable to speakers of American English. 

Placement

ITAs are placed in this course on the basis of their SPEAK/RIVA scores.  The course is also open to international graduate students who want to improve their pronunciation and speaking skills.

Course Requirements

All students are expected to take an active role in creating a positive learning environment.  There will be approximately one presentation assignment every other week with additional assigned listening exercises, as well as in-class discussions.

Language Lab

Students are required to spend a minimum of one hour per week in the language laboratory.  Tapes are available in the lab.  All students are to sign in at the front desk since the sign-in sheet serves as an attendance sheet.

Final Evaluation

Students will give a presentation on a topic from their field of study, which may be in one or a combination of the following formats: definition of a term, and/or teaching a process.  The presentation will be videotaped.

Grading

At the end of the semester, students receive a pass/fail grade.  In order to pass, students need to complete all assignments and demonstrate improvement in presentations.