Universal College of Parañaque COURSE OUTLINE

COMMUNICATION SKILLS / STUDY & THINKING SKILLS IN ENGLISH

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is anchored on the enhancement of the students’ communication skills using the English language with main focus on the four macro skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. It encomes the mastery of English language competencies based on fundamental concepts and principles from sentence construction following correct grammar, reading and understanding texts, sentence construction and paragraph development, speech articulation and fluency, and listening comprehension. Practical exercises and interactive activities are also integrated improve the critical thinking and conversational skills of the students. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester, the students are expected to: A. Cognitive 1. Analyze and comprehend dialogues and conversations, both oral and written utilizing higher order thinking skills; 2. Convey thoughts and ideas in well-organized form and positive spontaneity; and 3. Utilize critical thinking in understanding the integrated concepts and principles, and delivering given tasks. B. Psychomotor 1. Construct grammatically correct sentences and compose paragraphs with unity, parallelism, clarity, coherence and emphasis; 2. Practice attentive listening and reading with comprehension; and 3. Write compositions in representative discourses by observing correct grammaticality. C. Affective 1. Manifest confidence and fluency in communicating using the English language; 2. Participate proactively in practical exercises to develop confidence and fluency in using the English language; and 3. Appreciate the value of acquiring knowledge in English as a global medium of communication and a tool in achieving personal and professional advancement. REFERENCE MATERIALS: Fermin, Virginia E. and Manalo, Paterna E. Filipinos. Quezon City.

Effective

Speech

Communication

for

Mazon, Constancia M. Study and Thinking Skills in English. St. Augustin Publications Inc., Manila. 2005. Ornos, Petra S. et.al

Communication Skills in the Discipline. Mutya Publishing House. Valemzuela City, 2004.

1

Watson, Katherine

Succeed in English. Arcturus Publishing Limited. London, 2010.

COVERAGE: No. of Hours

Topics

Strategies / Methodology

1.5

Classroom Management, Discussion of Syllabus, Discussion of Grades

6

I. Communication A. Definition of Communication B. The Four Macro Skills in English (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing) C. Nature, Functions and Characteristics of Communication D. Types, Levels, Elements and Bases of Communication E. Bases of Communication F. Sequence in the Cycle of Communication G. Importance of Communication

1.5

II. Language and Grammar A. Definition and Nature of Language B. Characteristics of Language C. Definition and Nature of Grammar D. Importance of Grammar in Language and Communication

6

Discussion Insight sharing Quiz

Discussion Insight sharing Quiz

III. Grammar Focus A. Recalling the Parts of Speech (Usage, Forms, Types and other Characteristics)

Discussion Pattern drill Seatwork Quiz

1. Verbs 2. Adjectives 3. Adverbs 4. Nouns 5. Pronouns 6. Prepositions 7. Conjunctions 8. Interjections 9. Articles

3

IV. Verb Tenses Discussion Pattern drill Sentence construction Seatwork Quiz

A. Simple Tenses B. Compound Tenses 1. Progressive Tenses 2. Perfect Tenses

3

V. Subject-Verb Agreement A. Rules in Subject-Verb Agreement

2

Discussion Sentence construction Seatwork

Quiz

1.5 3

PRELIM EXAM VI. The Sentence A. Definition and Elements of a Sentence B. Types of Sentences 1. According to Use 2. According to Structure C. Basic Word Order D. Sentence Modification E. Characteristics of Effective Sentence

Discussion Sentence construction Pair work Composition writing Seatwork Quiz

VII. The Paragraph A. Definition and Elements of a Paragraph B. Nature and Methods of Paragraph Development C. Writing a Paragraph

6

VIII. Speaking A. Nature and Characteristics of Speaking in Communication B. Qualities of a Good Speaking Voice C. The International Phonetic Alphabet: An Overview D. Word Stress and Intonation E. Phrasing and Blending F. Qualities of an Effective Voice G. Characteristics of an Effective Speaker

Interview exercise discussion Vocal exercises Tongue twisters Speech drill Role play

Quiz

H. Developing Practical Listening Skills 1. Conversation Exercises 1.1 Business English 1.2 Casual Conversations 1.3 Survival English 6

IX. Listening A. Definition and Nature of Listening B. Elements and Types of Listening C. Objectives of Listening D. Types of Listening E. Characteristics of Effective Listening F. The Seven Basics of Effective Listening G. Barriers to Effective Listening

Discussion Interview exercise Video presentation Listening drill Comprehension check

H. Developing Practical Listening Skills I. Listening Exercises 1. Recalling and Sequencing of Events 2. Note Taking through Dictation 3. Getting the Song’s Message 4. Reacting to ments 5. Sound Words and Images 3

X. Reading A. Reading and Its Purpose B. Reading with Speed and Comprehension C. Scanning, Skimming and Reading Thoroughly

3

Discussion Skimming and scanning exercise Reading activity

D. Processing Various Reading Materials for Comprehension 1. Reading an Essay / Article (Elements and Comprehension) 2. Reading an Short Story(Elements and Comprehension) 3. Reading an Poem (Elements and Comprehension)

Comprehension check

MIDTERM EXAM

1.5 3

XI. Writing A. Writing and its Purpose B. Characteristics of a Good Writer C. Developing Effective Writing Skills and Style D. Mastering Capitalization and Punctuation E. The Writing Process: Planning, Drafting and Revising F. Essay Writing (Definition, Types and Characteristics)

7.5

Discussion Writing workshop

XII. Writing the Major Discourses A. The Major Discourses (Definition, Purpose and Characteristics) 1. Narrative 2. Descriptive 3. Expository 4. Argumentative

1.5

Discussion Composition writing

FINAL EXAM

COURSE EVALUATION

SUBMISSION OF REQUIREMENTS Exercises and other assigned coursework are due at the beginning of the class period of the specified date or right after the exercise. Late exercises will not be accepted after the due date. ATTENDANCE POLICY The standard UPC attendance policy applies to this course. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY The standard UPC academic honesty policy applies to this course.

4

Universal College of Parañaque COURSE OUTLINE

COMMUNICATION SKILLS / STUDY & THINKING SKILLS IN ENGLISH

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is anchored on the enhancement of the students’ communication skills using the English language with main focus on the four macro skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. It encomes the mastery of English language competencies based on fundamental concepts and principles from sentence construction following correct grammar, reading and understanding texts, paragraph development, speech articulation and fluency, and listening comprehension. Practical exercises and interactive activities are also integrated improve the critical thinking skills of the students. COURSE OUTCOMES / OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester, the students are expected to: 1. Develop confidence and fluency in communicating using the English language; 2. Construct grammatically correct sentences and compose paragraphs with unity, parallelism, clarity, coherence and emphasis; 3. Enhance comprehension and utilize critical thinking in understanding questions and delivering given tasks; and 4. Appreciate the value of acquiring knowledge in English as a global medium of communication and a tool in achieving personal and professional advancement. REFERENCE MATERIALS: Mazon, Constancia M. Study and Thinking Skills in English. St. Augustin Publications Inc., Manila. 2005 COVERAGE: No. of Hours

Topics

3

Language Communication Definition of Communication The Four Macro Skills in English (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing) Nature, Characteristics and Elements of Communication

5

Strategies / Methodology Discussion Insight sharing

12

Importance of Communication Grammar Focus Parts of Speech (Usage, Forms, Types and other Characteristics)

Discussion Pattern drill Seatwork Quiz

Verbs Adjectives Adverbs Nouns Pronouns Prepositions Conjunctions Interjections Articles

6

Verb Tenses

Discussion Pattern drill Sentence construction Seatwork Quiz

Simple Tenses Progressive Tenses Perfect Tenses Perfect Progressive Tenses

6

Subject-Verb Agreement Rules in Subject-Verb Agreement

1.5 3

Discussion Sentence construction Seatwork Quiz

PRELIM EXAM The Sentence Definition and Elements of a Sentence Types of Sentences According to Use According to Structure Phrases and Clauses

Discussion Sentence construction Pair work Composition writing Seatwork

The Paragraph Definition and Elements of a Paragraph Methods of Paragraph Development

4.5

Speaking Nature and Characteristics of Speaking in Communication Qualities of a Good Speaking Voice Characteristics of a Good Speaker The International Phonetic Alphabet Accent Neutralization Stress, Intonation and Liaison

1.5

Listening Definition, Elements and Types of Listening Barriers to Effective Listening

3

Reading

Interview exercise discussion Vocal exercises Tongue twisters Speech drill

Discussion Interview Exercise Video Presentation Listening drill Discussion Skimming and scanning Exercise

Reading and Its Purpose

6

Reading with Comprehension Skimming and Scanning Processing Various Reading Materials for Comprehension

Reading activity

MIDTERM EXAM

1.5 3

Writing

Discussion Writing workshop

Writing and Its Purpose Characteristics of a Good Writer Writing as a Form of Communication and Selfexpression Developing Effective Writing Skills The Writing Process: Planning, Drafting and Revising Writing the Major Discourses

7.5

Discussion Composition writing

The Major Discourses (Definition, Purpose and Characteristics) Narrative Descriptive Expository Argumentative Essay Writing Definition and Types of Essays Steps in Writing an Essay

1.5

FINAL EXAM

COURSE EVALUATION

SUBMISSION OF REQUIREMENTS Exercises and other assigned coursework are due at the beginning of the class period of the specified date or right after the exercise. Late exercises will not be accepted after the due date. ATTENDANCE POLICY The standard UPC attendance policy applies to this course. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY The standard UPC academic honesty policy applies to this course.

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