Discussing Academic Issues 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 outline main ideas and supporting arguments from spoken and written texts (such as interviews, videos, presentations, lectures, newspaper articles, and basic graphs) about one or more issues in education and academic life such as practices in Canadian post-secondary institutions, student success, the nature of learning, digital literacy, access to education, and alternative education. Notes should show an emerging level of paraphrasing skills.
• Prepare a point-form well-organized 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 graphs or tables, using appropriate citations.

2. Delivering a Presentation

• Use note cards effectively while presenting, as needed.
• Demonstrate elements 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 interviews and group discussions by listening carefully, responding appropriately, actively contributing ideas, asking questions, holding the floor and changing the topic appropriately.
• Confirm understanding by repeating or paraphrasing.
• Summarize or report on main points of contributions by others.
• Initiate and respond to small talk.

Accuracy

Language functions and related grammar

• Express and qualify opinions, feelings, and suggestions.
• Express possibility/certainty, using the appropriate modal verbs.
• Express apologies and excuses.
• Express warnings, predictions, and advice, using conditional phrases and sentences.

Pronunciation

• Correctly pronounce new vocabulary with appropriate syllable stress.
• Recognize and use appropriate final intonation in statements, questions, choices, and lists.
• Identify which words should be stressed in a phrase, and produce sentences with correct phrasal stress.
• Produce sentences with the correct rhythm (long and short syllables).

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.