Discussing Culture and Community for English Language Learners

Throughout the process of preparing for a range of college assignments, students will receive instruction in skills and strategies in the following areas:

Speaking and Listening Skills

1. Planning a Presentation

• Take basic notes and list main ideas and supporting arguments from modified spoken and written texts (such as news reports, videos, lectures, newspaper articles, and basic tables and forms) that describe cultural values and beliefs, First Nations, British Columbian, Canadian, and global cultures, history, and current events.
• Prepare a basic presentation outline, summarizing the ideas and information gathered in the spoken and written texts.
• Prepare clear, well-organized note cards from the outline as needed.
• Prepare presentation visuals such as maps, forms, or graphs.

2. Delivering a Presentation

• Use note cards effectively while presenting, as needed.
• Demonstrate an emerging level of critical thinking and analysis of information based on spoken and written texts.
• Produce speech with the level of accuracy (both in grammar and pronunciation) that will ensure meaningful communication.
• Use appropriate tone and register, depending on the level of formality of the situation.
• Use appropriate eye contact, body language, volume and rate of speech.

3. Participating in Discussions

• Participate in paired and small group discussions by engaging in appropriate turn-taking and indicating non-comprehension.
• Encourage conversation with supportive comments.
• Use clarification requests to indicate partial comprehension.
• Use and respond to small talk.

Accuracy

Language functions and related grammar

• Express and qualify feelings and opinions.
• Make, accept, or decline offers and invitations.
• Express necessity, obligation, and advice using the appropriate modal verbs.
• Correctly use there is/there are impersonal structures.

 Pronunciation

• Correctly pronounce new vocabulary with appropriate syllable stress.
• Distinguish between voiced and unvoiced consonants, and produce aspirated consonants as needed.
• Recognize and produce reduced sounds.
• Recognize and produce consonant-to-consonant, consonant-to-vowel, and vowel-to-vowel linking, including across word boundaries.

Study Skills

Take responsibility for:

• Attendance and punctuality
• Class work and assignments
• Participation and teamwork

Use common software to communicate and to complete information management tasks such as word processing assignments, sending emails, or signing in to an online learning management system.