Communication - High

Syllabus 2015
Course Description: Communication - High
By the end of this course students will:
be able to understand and freely use the language of conversation and discussion
be able to effectively discuss and debate different sides of an issue
be able to express and understand many common challenging issues
be able to utilize learned conversation gambits during spontaneous speech

Sessi
on
1

Topic
Crime
Conversation Gambits: Opening Gambits
Starting Conversations
Instant Discussions: Are We All
Criminals?

Skills and Assessment

Environmental Issues
Conversation Gambits: Opening Gambits
Introduce new ideas during a
conversation
Instant Discussions: Who Cares about the
Environment?

Mo Money, Mo Problems
Conversation Gambits: Opening Gambits
Adding pieces of information during
conversations

Instant Discussions: Price and Value

Animal Rights
Conversation Gambits: Linking gambits
Linking your own idea to the
conversation, preparing listeners for our
arguments and views
Instant Discussions: The Exploitation of
Animals

Raising Children
Conversation Gambits: Responding
Gambits Responding to show agreement

EF Washington DC 2015

Learn new topical vocabulary

and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice
Reading comprehension from
Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays
Learn new topical vocabulary
and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice
Reading comprehension from
Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays
Learn new topical vocabulary
and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice
Reading comprehension from
Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays
Learn new topical vocabulary
and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice
Reading comprehension from
Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays
Learn new topical vocabulary
and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice

or disagreement, surprise, and interest

Instant Discussions: Raising Children
Teenage Rebellion, Do You Spoil Your
Kids?

Road Rage
Conversation Gambits: Responding
Gambits Responding to show agreement
or disagreement, surprise, and interest
Instant Discussions: Do You Drive?

Reading comprehension from

Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays
Learn new topical vocabulary
and apply to conversations
Natural speech practice
Reading comprehension from
Instant Discussions and
related articles
Debates and Role-plays

Resources:
Keller and Warner, Conversation Gambits
McAndrew and Martinez, Instant Discussions
McAndrew and Martinez, Taboos and Issues
Breaking News English, breakingnewsenglish.com

EF Washington DC 2015