EFL: Oral communication and speech production (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

By the end of the course students should be able to
-- demonstrate knowledge of the English phonological system and sound production
-- demonstrate familiarity with stress and intonation patterns
-- demonstrate awareness of the influence of the native language on English sound patterns
-- use the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe words and sentences
-- demonstrate understanding of sound changes in connected speech
-- understand pronunciation problems
-- improve their own pronuncuiation
-- expand their vocabulary
-- increase self-confidence when speaking
-- improve speaking fluency and communication skills in a range of contexts (e.g. presentations, talks, discussions)
-- improve cultural awareness of the English language
-- apply what they have learnt during the course to their studies and future work as teachers of English

Execution methods

Teacher and student presentations, group- and pair work, discussions, pronunciation exercises (including individual or a small-group practice with the teacher)

Contact teaching 50h and 83 h of independent work

Accomplishment methods

Required attendance, active participation, progress in pronunciation, completing pronunciation assignments, passing the pronunciation exam, completing oral assignments (talks, duscussions, presentations).

The following is a breakdown of credits students earn for the course, for administrative purposes only. So, please note that the course is for 5ects/op. Therefore one cannot attend the speech production part only (2 ects/op), or the oral skills part only (2ects/op), or just take and pass the pronunciation exam (1 etcs/op).


The speech production part 2 ects/op 5-1/fail
The pronunciation exam 1 ects/op 5-1/fail
The oral skills part 2 ects /op 5-1/fail

Content

Essentials of the English phonetics and phonology, International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for English and transcripion. Communicative activities, discussions, presentations on topics related to English as a Foreign Language (EFL), teaching EFL, culture, and education.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

0 - hylätty /fail
Detailed criteria for evaluation of the oral communication part and the speech production part will be presented during the course. All assignments must be submitted to earn at least grade 1.
Very limited achievement of the tasks with major difficulties, limited flexibility and effectiveness.  
The pronunciation exam - fail

1 - välttävä / sufficient and 2 - tyydyttävä / satisfactory

Detailed criteria for evaluation of the oral communication part and the speech production part will be presented during the course. All assignments must be submitted to earn at least grade 1.
Adequate achievement of the task but with obvious difficulties, a lack of flexibility and effectiveness.
The pronunciation exam - passed at least at level "sufficient"

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3 - hyvä / good and 4 - kiitettävä / very good
Detailed criteria for evaluation of the oral communication part and the speech production part will be presented during the course. All assignments must be submitted to earn at least grade 1.
Successful achievement of the tasks but with less ease, flexibility and effectiveness
The pronunciation exam - passed at least at level "good"

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5 - erinomainen /excellent
 Detailed criteria for evaluation of the oral communication part and the speech production part will be presented during the course. All assignments must be submitted to earn at least grade 1.
Sophisticated achievement of the tasks with relative ease, flexibility, and effectiveness
The pronunciation exam - passed at level "excellent"

Qualifications

CEFR level B2 of English is recommended to follow the course. A very general assessment of one’s CEFR level can be found at
http://kaares.ulapland.fi/home/hkunta/ealssen/exss/CEFR.html