ESL 205: Advanced Speaking and Listening

Fall 2015, Binghamton University

Instructor: Jeremy Lee
Office Hours: MW 2:00-3:00 PM
Course
Email: lee@binghamton.edu
Description: Office: WH322
This course
Classroom: RC 260
ESL Main Office: WH328
is designed
Class time: Tues./Thurs 8:30-9:55
ESL Main Office: (607) 777-2320
to improve
listening and
speaking abilities. We will practice conversation and study skills. In addition, we will work on
improving pronunciation and expression in both classroom discussions and formal oral
presentations. This course focuses on class discussion, pair and group work, and presentation
skills. The goals of ESL 205/715 students are as follows:
To engage in relevant, meaningful conversations in the classroom and community.
To exercise and refine pronunciation skills.
To gain a clearer understanding of presentation and lecture formats.
To practice and improve listening comprehension skills.
Grading Breakdown:

Presentations: All students need to complete two presentations during this course. One
presentation will be within a group, and another will be given individually. = 25%

Listening Summaries: Listening summaries will come from content that you choose. This
content must be approved by the instructor. In addition to summarizing, you will also
have to answer several questions about the recording. (250 words). There will be 4
listening summaries, which are due at the end of each unit. = 20%
Homework: Homework will usually be in the form of listening assignments. Listening
assignments will usually come from a number of different websites that cover a wide
range of topics. Some speaking tasks will also be given for homework. These tasks will
be submitted through google voice. = 20%
Debates: At the end of the semester, there will be group debates. Each team will consist
of three students, for a total of six teams for three debates. Topics will be discussed later
in the semester. = 10%
Quizzes: A number of quizzes will be given during the semester. They can be on listening
skills, pronunciation, or vocabulary. = 15%
Attendance and Participation: You are expected to participate in class discussions and
share ideas with your classmates. You are also expected to complete all in-class
assignments. Please keep in mind that if you are absent more than 5 times, you will fail
the course. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class for two classes, it will count as
one absence. = 10%
Grading Scale:

ESL 205: Advanced Speaking and Listening

Fall 2015, Binghamton University
95%+ = A
90%-94% = A86%-89% = B+

83%-85% = B
80%-82% = B76%-79% = C+

73%-75% = C
70%-72% = C61% - 69% = D

Required Course Materials:

Dale, Paulette and Wolf, James C. (2014) Speech and Communication Made Simple. 4th Ed.
White Plains, NY: Pearson Education (with CD)
A recording device for assignments. Access to Google voice.

General Education: O requirement - Oral Communication

Students in O courses will demonstrate
1. Proficiency in oral presentations.
2. The ability to improve oral presentations in response to critiques.
3. Skill in listening to and critiquing oral presentations.
Classroom Policies:
Students are expected to come to class with assigned materials completed.
Assignments that are 1 day late = -25%, 2 days late = -50%, 3 days late = -75%, 4+
days late = no credit.
Electronics are allowed in class. However, they are not to be used for non-academic
purposes. Do not use your laptop or smartphone to surf the web, chat with friends, or
anything else besides doing classwork.
You may bring drinks to class (e.g. water, coffee), but you may not eat during class.
Students who disrespect others will have one conference with the teacher explaining why
their behavior is unacceptable. A second incident will result in a meeting with the ESL
director. Harassment will not be tolerated.
Out of respect for your peers and instructor, and for your own benefit, you will use English
when communicating in the classroom, before, during, and after class.
Disabilities:
Students who wish to request academic accommodations to insure their equitable access and
participation in this course should notify the instructor by the second week of class. We
encourage you to contact SSD at (607) 777-2686 and to schedule an appointment with the
Director or Learning Disabilities Specialist.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious offense in North American universities and has serious consequences.
Plagiarism is defined by Binghamton University as Presenting the work of another person as
ones own work (including papers, words, ideas, information, computer code, data, evidence
organizing principles, or style of presentation of someone else taken from the internet, books,
periodicals, or other sources). Plagiarism includes:

ESL 205: Advanced Speaking and Listening

Fall 2015, Binghamton University
1
2
2
3
4

Quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing without acknowledgement, even a few

phrases
Failing to acknowledge the source of either a major idea or ordering principle central
to ones own paper
Relying on another persons data, evidence, or critical method without credit or
permission
Submitting another persons work as ones own
Using unacknowledged research sources gathered by someone else

Class Outline: *This outline is not comprehensive. Things will be added and changed according
to our progress in the class.*
Unit 1 (9/1 9/24): Stereotypes and discrimination
Dale & Wolf (2014) Chapters 1 & 2
E-mail etiquette
Introducing yourself to others
Critiquing others with constructive criticism
Note-taking
Listening: Making an outline
Pronunciation: Differentiating between vowel sounds
Unit 2 (9/29 10/20): Protecting animals and our environment
Dale & Wolf (2014) Chapters 3 & 5
Using PowerPoint to present your ideas
Understanding your audience (appropriateness)
Speaking: Presenting information (Group Presentations on 10/15 and 10/20)
Listening: Creating timelines from historical/biographical media, Sequence of events
Pronunciation: Differentiating between consonant sounds
Unit 3 (10/22 11/12): Globalization in the 21st century
Dale & Wolf (2014) Chapters 7 & 9
Doing research to support your ideas.
Speaking: Presenting two sides to a topic (Individual Presentations on 11/10 and 11/12)
Listening: Pros and cons
Pronunciation: Connected speech
Unit 4 (11/17 12/15): The rise of government surveillance
Dale & Wolf (2014) Chapter 8
Speaking: Persuading others through debate (Debates on 12/10 and 12/15)
Listening: Compare and contrast
Pronunciation: Stress, rhythm, and intonation