Course Description:
This course aims to help you develop and refine English skills that help you succeed academically, in this class, and in others. In this class, there will be a focus on fluency and accuracy in academic English, with an emphasis on academic listening and speaking skills and critical fundamental reading and writing skills. The theme of language will be present throughout the course; in addition to completing tasks that help you refine your language skills, we will think critically about how language intersects with you, culture, gender, power, and other domains. When you finish this class, you will be able to communicate your ideas more effectively in written and spoken English and feel more confident in your fluency and accuracy in English.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
give presentations on a variety of topics, using different modalities.
apply writing and speaking processes and strategies discussed in class.
effectively synthesize and integrate sources into presentations and written assignments.
speak more confidently and clearly during presentations and in-class discussions.
demonstrate improvement in fluency and accuracy in spoken and written English.
confidently summarize, paraphrase, and reflect on spoken and written content.
Course Materials:
Purchase the Textbooks:
Reinhart, S.M. (2013). Giving Academic Presentations. University of Michigan.
Paper/Notebook or Laptop/Tablet for notes
Calendar to keep track of coursework
Criteria for Evaluation
Assignment Percentage of Grade
Speaking Tasks 35%
Intro (partner presentation) (5%)
Process (group, video) (5%)
Concept (poster presentation) (10%)
Discussion Leader (5%)
Problem/Solution (3MT) (10%)
Writing Response Tasks (5, 4% each ) 20%
Academic Professionalism (discussion, participation, HW) 15%
Quizzes (2, 5% each) 10%
Exams (Midterm and Final, 10% each) 20% 100%