Topic outline
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- Module 1 - Getting started (October 1st - 26th)
Module 1 - Getting started (October 1st - 26th)
In this module, you will:
- create user accounts and complete your profiles
- learn to navigate through the online component of the course
- determine your readines for online learning
- revise articles in English
- introduce yourself in 140 characters or less
- familiarize yourself with the course requirements and due dates
- reflect on your learning experience
- Module 2 - Personality (27th October - 9th November)
Module 2 - Personality (27th October - 9th November)
In this module, you will:
- revise English nouns, their classification, number, gender, case, and function.
- use flashcards to learn new words from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about people and their personality.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about illness and treatment.
- describe a place of sentimental value for you.
- discuss how people become friends or lovers and what does it mean to find a perfect match.
Note: The following two worksheets (2.4 and 2.5) are for your own practice, you do not need to submit them for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Module 3 - People and cultures (10th - 23rd November)
Module 3 - People and cultures (10th - 23rd November)
In this module, you will:- revise the use of pronouns in English.
- revise the use of prepositions in English.
- use flashcards to learn new words from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about clothes and fashion.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about countries, nationalities, and languages.
- describe a character from the extensive reading material.
- discuss national stereotypes.
- prepare to give a presentation in class.
Note: The following two worksheets (3.5 and 3.6) are for your own practice, you do not need to submit them for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Preparing for the presentation
Preparing for the presentation
This task will give you an opportunity to:
- demonstrate vocabulary usage appropriate to the presentation topic.
- include organized content.
- produce understandable standard English.
- participate in peer assessment of class presentations.
Let me quickly remind you that you will have 3-5 minutes to present your topic and additional 2 minutes for questions from the audience. Therefore, you need to be very concise.
Make sure you do your research of the topic well and prepare to talk, not read your presentation script. You are allowed to have notes during your talk.
Best way to achieve this is to practice, practice, practice. In front of the mirror, in front of your room mates, or your colleagues. Record yourself presenting to see/hear what areas of your delivery need polishing.
Below you will find materials that will help you prepare your presentation for our next class:
- The visual representation of how you should structure your talk.
- Useful phrases to signal different aspects of your talk.
- 27 ways to have an awesome presentation.
- Evaluation form with a list of different aspects you will be graded on.
- Module 4 - Flying high (24th November - 7th December)
Module 4 - Flying high (24th November - 7th December)
In this module, you will:
- revise the classification, function, and comparison of adjectives and adverbs.
- revise the meaning and use of modal verbs.
- use flashcards to learn new words from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about travel.
- discuss controversy.
- practice using examples to support a general statement.
Note: The following worksheet (4.6) is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Preparation for the 1st quiz
Preparation for the 1st quiz
Selection of materials and language units that are going to be covered by the quiz. These materials are for your own practice and preparation for the test.
- Module 5 - Crime and punishment (7th December - 21st December)
Module 5 - Crime and punishment (7th December - 21st December)
In this module, you will:
- revise the use of verbs in English.
- distinguish between infinitive and gerund forms as verb complements.
- use phrasal verbs connected to the topic of travel.
- revise the vocabulary from Adrian Mole with a chance of winning a million dollars.
- expand your vocabulary to talk crime and law.
- practice common collocations for law and punishment.
- write collaboratively.
- discuss danger and risk
Note: The following worksheets (5.6 and 5.7) are for your own practice, you do not need to submit them for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Preparation for the Panel Discussion
Preparation for the Panel Discussion
This section aims at helping you prepare for the third speaking assignment, the panel discussion.
You will be working in groups of five, where two people should present arguments in favour of the topic, two against, and one person to moderate the discussion. As a group, you choose one of the topic listed below:
- A man and a woman can never be just friends.
- Romantic love is a good basis for marriage.
- Science is more important than religion in today's world.
- Digital technology and internet alienate people.
This link will lead you to a sign up sheet where you should type the names of people in your group and the topic you chose to discuss. There is an example at the top of the table.
- Module 6 - Under the weather (22nd December - 25th January)
Module 6 - Under the weather (22nd December - 25th January)
In this module, you will:
- revise English tenses and verb forms.
- use flashcards to learn new words from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about weather and climate.
- learn a selection of weather idioms in English.
- practice word formation in English.
- write an opinion essay.
- compare and contrast high school and university.
- evaluate the online delivery of this course in the first semester.
Note: The following worksheets (6.6, 6.7, and 6.8) are for your own practice, you do not need to submit them for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
The purpose of this survey is to help us understand how well the online delivery of this course enabled you to learn. Each one of the 24 statements below asks about your experience during this semester. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers; we are interested only in your opinion. Please be assured that your responses will be treated with a high degree of confidentiality, and will not affect your assessment. Your carefully considered responses will help us improve the way this course is presented online in the second semester. Thank you very much.
- Module 7 - Under pressure (February 16th - March 1st)
Module 7 - Under pressure (February 16th - March 1st)
In this module, you will:
- revise passive voice in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about feelings.
- write a newspaper story.
- polish your reading skills.
- discuss stress and how you deal with it.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Module 8 - Body talk (March 2nd - 15th)
Module 8 - Body talk (March 2nd - 15th)
In this module, you will:
- revise modal verbs in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk body and mind.
- polish your reading skills.
- continue discussion on stress.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Preparation for the 2nd quiz
Preparation for the 2nd quiz
Selection of materials and language units that are going to be covered by the quiz. These materials are for your own practice and preparation for the test.
- Module 9 - Sound of music (March 16th - 29th)
Module 9 - Sound of music (March 16th - 29th)
In this module, you will:
- revise perfect modals in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about art.
- polish your reading skills.
- discuss the best soundtrack for the Secret Diary of Adrian Mole.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
Preparation for the speaking assignment: persuasive speech
Aim: To improve your communication skills in public speaking with an emphasis placed on delivering a persuasive presentation. You will deliver a persuasive speech designed to move the audience to perform a specified behavior either immediately or at some specified time in the future. Evaluative criteria will include organization, evidence through supporting materials from outside research, effective emotional, credible, and logical appeals.
Instructions:
- Prepare a 2-3 minute speech
- Be sure your topic can move your audience toward action. In the course of your speech you must justify your own opinion or viewpoint, so chose a topic that you believe in and are willing to research for supporting materials.
- Have 3 main points to support your argument.
- Module 10 - Breaking news (March 30th - April 12th)
Module 10 - Breaking news (March 30th - April 12th)
In this module, you will:
- revise conditionals in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about media.
- write a formal letter of complaint.
- polish your reading skills.
- discuss your favorite TV shows.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Preparation for the 3rd quiz
Preparation for the 3rd quiz
Selection of materials and language units that are going to be covered by the quiz (modules 8-11). These materials are for your own practice and preparation for the test. The quiz is scheduled for April 27-29.
- Module 11 - Big city lights (April 13th - 26th)
Module 11 - Big city lights (April 13th - 26th)
In this module, you will:
- revise relative clauses in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about living in a city.
- write a compare and contrast essay.
- polish your reading skills.
- contribute to the ongoing discussions.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
- Module 12 - Grand finale (April 27th - May 24th)
Module 12 - Grand finale (April 27th - May 24th)
In this module, you will:
- revise reported speech in English.
- use flashcards to learn new vocabulary from the extensive reading material.
- expand your vocabulary to talk about science.
- polish your reading skills.
- evaluate the course.
- contribute the the ongoing discussions.
This worksheet is for your own practice, you do not need to submit it for grading. If you come across something you don't understand or have difficulties working out, bring it up in our next class.
We kindly ask you to complete this questionnaire. It will take you ten minutes and it is completely anonymous . The results of the survey will be used to improve the delivery of the course and for research purposes. Your data will be protected.
