FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENGLISH DEPARTMENT. Course Syllabus, Level 2 (Intermediate)

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1 FOUNDATION PROGRAM ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Course Syllabus, Level 2 (Intermediate) A. COURSE SUMMARY Course Information Course Name: Foundation English Level 2 (intermediate) Course Code: Contact Hours: 20 Credit Hours: None Pre-requisites: Foundation English Level 1 (812002) or TOEFL (institutional) score of 400 Faculty Information Name: Contact Tel.: Office Tel: Office Number: Building: Office Hours: Course Description The Foundation Program aims to bridge the gap between secondary school and university education. The English Program is designed to build skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, critical thinking, and self-learning. An integrated multimedia program reinforces language skills and supports independent learning. Level 2 This is an Intermediate level course that consolidates basic grammar knowledge and use, expands vocabulary and develops reading and writing skills beyond the basic level. It develops skills of generating ideas independently and collaboratively, develops listening and speaking skills, and promotes critical thinking and independent learning. Classroom learning is reinforced with a variety of multimedia programs and special websites for independent learning and self-assessment. Furthermore, the course fosters independent learning activities facilitated by the Student Learning Center. Level 2 Course Objectives 1. Understand and use spoken English effectively. 2. Communicate orally in English for personal, social, and academic purposes. 3. Apply critical thinking skills. 4. Read and comprehend texts of varying length at intermediate level. 5. Improved knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. 6. Understand and use effective writing skills to express ideas and give information. Learning Outcomes By the end of this course you will be able to perform the following: 1. Critical thinking skills: Identify personal assumptions Compare and contrast persons, practices and experiences Infer information not explicit in the text Analyze information and draw conclusions Identify arguments for or against an issue

2 2. Listening skills: Listen for main ideas and details Interpret speakers attitude and emotions Relate listening to personal experience Listen and take notes on specific information Summarize a lecture 3. Speaking skills: Offer advice and make suggestions Ask and answer questions about personal preferences Conduct an interview Participate and lead a group discussion Make an oral presentation to an audience Ask for clarification 4. Pronunciation skills: Recognize and use rhythm and stress Correctly pronounce vowels and consonants Understand some speech reductions 5. Reading skills: Demonstrate understanding of the major and minor details Identify the main idea of paragraphs and passages Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships of ideas within a paragraph Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships of ideas among paragraphs Use graphical information to interpret text Infer meaning of vocabulary words from context Make predictions Relate information in the text to life experience Compare/analyze information from different sources Paraphrase main ideas and details Effectively summarize an article Use context clues Distinguish main ideas from details 6. Writing skills: Use pre-writing and organizing strategies such as free-writing, charting, and outlining Use transition words and coherence devices. Peer editing of writing Write a two-paragraph process analysis composition Write a two-paragraph compare & contrast composition Write a two-paragraph classification composition Summarize an article into 1-2 paragraphs Use topic and supporting sentences to write effective paragraphs Use correct format, line spacing, margins and titles in writing Develop appropriate mechanics in writing, such as punctuation Use simple sentences to make compound sentences in a paragraph 7. Vocabulary skills: Understand word meanings and forms. Employ strategies for building vocabulary. Use accurate, descriptive language, synonyms and antonyms, prefixes and suffixes, idioms. Choose appropriate vocabulary for a given context QU Foundation English Department, Level 2 (Intermediate) 2

3 8. Grammar skills: Recognize and use the first conditional, comparatives and superlatives, the past simple and progressive tenses Use regular plural forms of common nouns Distinguish between definite and indefinite articles Recognize the present perfect tense Recognize modals for polite requests and giving advice, asking permission and expressing ability Recognize gerunds and infinitives Content Distribution and Pacing Schedule: Level 2 please see attached schedule Teaching Methods The main features of teaching this course include, but are not limited to, the following teaching principles and techniques: Principles: - learner-centered environment in which the teacher is a facilitator of student learning - collaborative learning - inductive problem-solving approaches encourage independent thinking and learning Techniques: - Individual work, pair work and group work - previewing and brainstorming regarding themes - Text-based activities - Project work (Reading project, writing portfolio) - Small and large Group discussions - Peer review of writing - Lecture and exposition - Preview of vocabulary Instructional Media Laptops, OHP, Whiteboard, Data show, audio-cassettes and CD players, video and DVD players Assessment Policy and Tools The overall weighting of the level 2 grade is 65% for exams (mid-term and final) and 35% classwork. A Student passes with a grade of 60%. Specific course items are weighted as follows: CLASSWORK (35%) 1. A writing portfolio comprising 4 assignments (rubric attached) % of overall grade. 2. A reading project comprising 2 assignments (grade form attached) 4% of overall grade 3. Oral presentations/speaking activities following a framework provided by the teacher (rubric attached) - % of grade 4. Class work in reading, listening, grammar, and speaking as set by the teacher (example guidelines attached) 11 % of grade MID TERM AND FINAL EXAMS (65%) 1. mid-term examination ( reading, writing, listening, and grammar) (Saturday,April 26, 2008) 25% of grade 2. A final examination on reading, writing, listening and grammar (Saturday, June 7, 2007) 40% of grade QU Foundation English Department, Level 2 (Intermediate) 3

4 Following is the breakdown of grades for the Final Exam, Mid-term Exam and continuous assessment by component: Evaluation Course Components Total tool Reading Writing Listening Speaking Grammar MM Reading Project Writing Portfolio (4X2.5) Speaking 4+6 Assessment Class work Participation Mid term Exam Final Exam Total Grades for the course will be assigned as follows: 90-0 A outstanding achievement B+ Very good, representing above average achievement B C+ fair, average for undergraduate students C D+ poor but passing D 59 or below F Fail Student Responsibilities and Attendance Policies and Procedures. In order for you to successfully complete this course, you must understand and complete the requirements. 1. Class attendance is compulsory and may be considered part of the overall classwork and participation mark recorded by your instructor. 2. Arriving late or leaving early is disruptive to the class. 3. Students who are absent for more than 25% of the total number (entire semester) of class meetings will NOT be allowed to take the final examination and will receive an F barred grade for the course. 4. There are no excused absences. The allowed absences cover illness, family events, car problems, appointments, etc. 5. If you are absent for a scheduled class test, assessed classwork (group discussions) or a quiz, a make-up test, classwork, or a quiz will NOT be given. 6. If you are absent for the common mid-semester or final examination, strict Department and University policies and procedures apply for make-up exams. Your course instructor can provide further information on this. 7. Students are expected to participate actively in class because this forms part of the total mark for the course. 8. All homework assignments must be submitted to the instructor on time. Classroom Discipline 1. Students are expected to be punctual (every 3 late class arrivals will be counted as 1 class absence) in class attendance and to conduct themselves in an adult and professional manner. 2. The use of mobile telephones inside the classroom is NOT allowed. QU Foundation English Department, Level 2 (Intermediate) 4

5 3. Any student disciplinary issues, which may arise, will be referred to the Head of the English Department. Additional information on student classroom conduct will be given to you by your course instructors. The required textbooks: 1. NorthStar 2 nd Ed. Intermediate Listening/ Speaking Student Book 2. NorthStar 2 nd Ed. Intermediate Reading/ Writing Student Book 3. NorthStar 2 nd Ed. Intermediate Writing Activity Book 4. Focus on Grammar 3, Third Edition 5. Longman Dictionary of American English Additional Sources: Great Paragraphs (Houghton Mifflin) Ready to Write, 2 nd Ed. (Longman) Open Forum 2 (Oxford) Other materials as identified by the instructor Appendices (attached) Writing Portfolio Assessment Oral Presentation Assessment Classwork and Participation Assessment QU Foundation English Department, Level 2 (Intermediate) 5