SPEAKING MODULE 2

Unit Outline Semester 2 – 2008

Department of English
University of Education HCMC





1: General Information

1a Unit title: Speaking module 2
1b Semester and year offered: Intensive mode, 2008
1c Credit point value: 3
1d Name of Unit Convener
Nguyen Thanh Binh


2: Academic Content

2a Unit description and learning outcomes
In this subject, students will further develop the basic skills of speaking combining the expressions and sounds they have learnt in the first semester with a couple of new expressions and the initial use of information and communication technology (ICT) which serves as a tool for mid-term assessment. The subject will acquaint students with a range of technological tools such as Web-Blog and Power Point Presentation, help them to acquire the basic skills for using these tools and help them to apply a variety of functions used in different authentic contextualized situations.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the subject, it is expected that students will be able to:
• understand basic functions and expressions used in everyday life as well as in specific academic and formal situations.
• systematize those functions and expressions so as to know and apply appropriately which expressions in which settings.
• determine which technologies can support their learning context;
• reflect on issues related to using functions in communication;
• use various information and communication technologies as learning resources;
• improve pronunciation.

2b Prerequisites and/or co-requisites
There are no prerequisites in this subject, but minimal computer skills are an advantage.

3: Delivery of Unit

Delivery mode
The subject will be delivered intensively at the Department of English - University of Education in Ho Chi Minh City from February to May 2008. It will consist of a combination of short lectures, presentation, pair work and group work and practices for midterm test.

4: Unit resources

Required readings consist of the following:

Jones, Leo. (1977). Functions of English, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

O’Connor, J., D. & Fletcher, C. (1989). Sounds English. London: Longman.

Zwier, Lawrence, J. & Hughes, A. (2003). Essential Functions for Conversation. Hongkong: Asia-Pacific Press Holdings Ltd.


5: Assessment

5a Assessment overview


Assessment Item (including exams held in the exam period) Due Date of Assignments Weighting
(total to equal 100%)
Blog and journals On-going process till mid-term test day 10%
Presentation (summary of functions in 2 semesters) Mid-term test day 10%
Role-play Mid-term test day 20%
Final test Final test day 60%



5b Details of each assessment item: students form groups of four or five.

Blog and Journals – A blog as a reflective journal (10% of the grade)
Each group should carry a group’s blog at blogger.com for the duration of the course where members can reflect on what they are learning. The group’s blog should have entries about the introduction of the group (introducing group’s name with explanation and group members) and journals. Journals mostly concern with students experience in lessons, what each member finds on the Internet resource and books (should be paraphrased and follow the rules of avoiding plagiarism), together with their comments on their readings. Although the numbers of journals are not limited but students should be noted that at least eight comments on journal entries of other groups’ blogs are considered as pre-requisites for teacher to go through journals.

Group oral presentation (10% of the grade)
Each group will present the summary of functions and expressions of English for conversations in semester 1 and semester 2 on a Power Point presentation. Each oral presentation should be approximately 5 minutes in length together with explanation and examples (5 more minutes). The Power Point presentation should include media, text and links, and it will be evaluated based on quality, use of media and integration of links. All members of the team should collaborate in the preparation of the PP, and should also present part of the summary. The teacher reserves the discretion to distribute the group mark in accordance with each member's participation and presentation. In particular, each group can either choose to:
- Summarize all functions and expressions in the two semesters systematically.
- Summarize one or some functions and expressions but need to show a deeper understanding and better application.
The choice is made upon the agreement of the whole class whose class monitor gives the final decision after class discussion and approval.

Role-Play (20% of the grade)
Students remain in the same groups and try to act out in a 5-10’ mini role-play in which they show their excellent ability in using a variety of expressions of English in appropriate situations. Students may also prove their good pronunciation throughout the play.

Final test (60% of the grade)
The instructions, rules and criteria of assessment in this test are similar to the first semester test but some minor changes will be told by teacher during the course.

Marking Criteria for Blog and Journals
Excellent Very good Good Adequate Inadequate
Demonstration of understanding of functions and expressions together with personal comments on the in-class studies.
Showing learning efforts and understanding based on good reflection on findings from the Internet and other reliable resources
Student-friendly blog and informative entries
A variety of medias and photos are used
Adequate resources quotation and reference (links for photos and outside digital properties)


Marking Criteria for Group oral Presentation
Excellent Very good Good Adequate Inadequate
Demonstration of understanding of functions and expressions via a concise and systematic summary of functions and expressions
Detailed explanation and examples for those mentioned above
Good Power Point skills
A variety of medias and photos are used so as to make listeners fully understand
Adequate resources quotation and reference (links for photos and outside digital properties)
Good presentation skills with confidence and good pronunciation
Good interaction with audiences by raising questions timely and appropriately


Marking Criteria for Role-Play
Excellent Very good Good Adequate Inadequate
Demonstration of understanding of functions and expressions and the excellent ability to apply them into any specific situations
Good pronunciation and loud voices
Good vocabulary and grammar use
Good acting skills
Excellent team work spirits with optimistic attitude from all members


Marking Criteria for Final Test
Excellent Very good Good Adequate Inadequate
Demonstration of understanding of functions and expressions and the excellent ability to apply them into any specific situations
Good pronunciation and loud voices
Grammar
Vocabulary
Pragmatics
Comprehension
Fluency


5c Special assessment requirements
In the case of illness, misadventure or unavoidable commitments students should contact the teacher as soon as possible.

5d Feedback on Assignments
Feedback will be, generally, provided on a group basis, as will some advice on how to overcome any difficulties that students are experiencing. Some class feedback may also be given to the class as a whole where it is deemed appropriate (for example with oral presentations and role-play).