EASL 028 Intermediate Communications - Conversation Skills develops students' ability to communicate beyond the basic skills related to personal and factual topics. Students develop vocabulary and grammar for informal conversations, listen to and practice natural speech patterns, and learn strategies for engaging in everyday conversations and classroom dialogues.
Prerequisites: EASL 018 with a minimum of 60% or equivalent
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 60 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 4 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- initiate, maintain, and close conversations about familiar topics using simple sentence structures and high-frequency vocabulary.
- ask questions about, and respond to information heard in short controlled conversation.
- follow clearly stated instructions.
- use basic conversation strategies such as asking for clarification and turn-taking.
- imitate English sounds and stress patterns, and produce many of these spontaneously.
- participate successfully in groups containing members from a variety of cultures.
Teaching and Learning Approach
Instructors in the English Language Program use a communicative, student-centered approach to teaching and
learning. Lessons often include inter-active discussions, group work and reflection activities. Learner success in
ELP courses is often demonstrated in tests and quizzes, presentations, assignments and active participation.
Assessments include self and peer evaluations. The responsibility for learning is shared between the instructor
and the student to foster independent learning skills.Learning Resources
Bohlke, David. (2023). TedTalks: Keynote 2 with Spark. National Geographic.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Welcome to Selkirk College Orientation/Schedule
2. Chapter 1- Why I love Vultures -animals vocabulary -describing present time events -signposting with questions -group decision BONUS: Tips and strategies for learning English in a university setting • Tips and strategies for improving listening and speaking skills in English • How to identify syllables in English words
3. Chapter 2 - The world's largest family reunion Describe yourself and other people • Learn how to use follow-up questions and phrases in a conversation
4. Chapter 4 - Why I take the piano on the road...and in the air • Wh and Yes/ No question formation • Intonation in English • Opening, closing and extending basic conversations
5. Chapter 5 - The worst-designed thing you've never noticed • Understanding Conversational English • Describing design in English • Using contracted speech in English
6. Chapter 7 - Leather and meat without killing animals • Describing places and listening to directions • Using numbers for addresses • Listening to past tense regular verb endings
7. Chapter 8 -It's our city. Let's fix it. • Agreeing and disagreeing in English • Using adverbs of frequency to discuss routines
8. Chapter 10 - A headset that reads your brainwaves • Syllable and word stress • Using future tense verbs • Course closing and Final AssessmentAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Participation | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 20% |
| Tasks and Quizzes | 1, 2, 3, 6 | 10% |
| Presentations | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | 40% |
| Final Exam | 2, 3 | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.