IFA General English Syllabus and Course Guidelines (Student Version) for 1BA/2BA 2010-2011 Introduction The purpose

of the content of the syllabus and course guidelines is to guide teachers and students through the requirements and objectives of the General English course for years 1BA and 2BA. The following components will be addressed: 1). Course objectives 2). Content of the course 3). Classroom procedures 4). Course assessment 5). Examination requirements 1. COURSE OBJECTIVES Both content and form is of primary importance in developing students speaking skills in ESL. Thus, the development of both content and form should constitute the main goal of teaching/learning practice. The specific course objectives listed below relate to these two areas in the following way: CONTENT: In order to discuss a topic intelligently students need information: facts, opinions, attitudes. To meet this aim, teachers need to supply students with texts/ materials that are rich in information and at an appropriate linguistic level (depth of topic, lexical complexity, range of views discussed, and challenging throughout. It is also important to encourage students to expand their personal knowledge of the discussed topics on their own. For example, by searching for relevant information on the Internet, watching TV in English or reading. Students should be able to read the texts critically and be able to analyze the content. This means that students can do the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. distinguish between facts, opinions and attitudes extract arguments presented in texts and evaluate them evaluate arguments and spot biased interpretations formulate their own opinions on matters presented; gather arguments foresee points of controversy prepare arguments develop a line of argumentation in a logical way ( avoid contradictions)

FORM: The General English Speaking Course for years 1and 2 BA Studies is an Advanced level course. Thus, the expectations concerning the level of linguistic (lexical/grammatical) accuracy and complexity of structure are high. In order to meet the final examination requirements the following specifics are: 1. to teach students a wide range of advanced vocabulary 2. to encourage students to speak and express opinions accurately ( well organized logically) and fluently

3. develop communication skills 4. to teach how to give presentations ( public speaking) and how to critically present and analyze a particular topic 5. to teach control of spoken and pronunciation skills 6. to encourage self-criticism, self-observation and self-monitoring to spot and selfcorrect mistakes 2. CONTENT OF THE COURSE Materials 1. 2. 3. 4. Topics There are 10 topic areas to be covered over the two semesters in both years. IMPORTANT: There are articles, texts and vocabulary exercises on each topic area that have to be covered during the two semesters. Some of these articles or texts are incorporated in the make up of the final Grammar exam in June. Audio-visual and written materials; Diversified sources; radio/TV/Internet programs (news reports; documentaries, etc) daily press popular magazines and journals quality press

1BA Topics 1. Communication 2. Relationships 3. Cities 4. Tourism 5. Food and Health 6. Work 7. The Mass Media 8. Advertising 9. Technology 10. National Stereotypes

2BA Topics 1. Popular Culture 2. Ethical Issues 3. Tackling Crime 4. Health and Fitness 5. Environmental Solutions 6. Relationships 7. The Mass Media 8. Politics today 9. Attitudes to Work 10. Commercialization of Sport

Note* for 1BA only Likes and Dislikes (for speaking activities) Character and Personality (for speaking activities)

2 class meetings should be devoted to cover each topic. Vocabulary tests and student presentations (1BA presentations - optional) should also be organized. 1BA students need to be prepared to answer coherently and effectively the oral exam questions. 3. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES * Attendance counts towards the calculation of the final mark for the General English course. Up to two unexcused absences are allowed per semester but encourage the students to attend all the classes unless a real need arises. Any absences above this may give the teacher the right to refuse his/her signature in the students grade book. If this is the case, an entry is made in the grade book with 2, and the student then misses the first practical English Exam attempt (June). The student then has the right to a make-up course over the summer break. Suggested tasks, exercises and techniques: 1. Out of class research by students should be encouraged in preparation for a new topic 2. Warm-up group discussions to brainstorm ideas relevant for the topic 3. General and detailed discussion of the article: - what are the main ideas? - what are the facts and what are the opinions and attitudes? - analyzing the logical development of presented ideas - critical assessment of the arguments presented by the author - students present their views in reference to an authors - focus on form: analyzing the language, explaining new vocabulary 4. Students Presentations: - for each topic a 5-10 minute presentation should be prepared and delivered either individually or in pairs - it should be followed by a brief class debate with questions from the audience to the presenters - its effectiveness should be evaluated first by the peers and then by the teacher - guidelines for improvement should be given to the presenters 5. Group work should be encouraged: - prepare a debate, panel discussion, role plays - present a summary report on a text - conduct a survey - prepare a questionnaire 6. Vocabulary extension exercises should accompany each topic 4.COURSE ASSESSMENT The students final grade depends on: test results, presentations, class participation, contribution to in-class discussions and attendance

5. EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS The final Practical English examination consists of two parts: written and oral. The written part is comprised of a grammar test and writing tasks. The oral part of the exam will have the students to discuss a topic they have covered in their General English classes throughout the year. Teachers will be asked to submit exam topic questions to heads of the oral exam committees before the exams. It is important to stress that the students linguistic performance will be evaluated in all sub-components of language, ie. pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency/communicative effectiveness. The final grade will be reached from the scores obtained for each of the specified components.

Weights of specific exam components in the final grade: Grammar Test 30%. Written tasks 30% Oral exam 40% of the final grade Here is the table with the weights of the components evaluated at the oral exam: Accuracy component pronunciation grammar vocabulary fluency and logic Total: 1BA and 2BA 30 30 30 30 30 10 100 20 20 100

Fluency and communicative effectiveness