Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia

Vice President for Academic Issues and Research

Syllabus Subject English III, Code 90121

1. Course information

Faculty or Unit the course belongs to: Vicerrectoría Académica y de

Investigación VIACI
Academic Degree Level: Technical-
Technological-Professional-Master Academic Program: Interdisciplinar
Básico Común
Time credits: 2 Course type: Methodological
The course Can be retested by a Course designer: Jorge Hugo
remedial work Hernández V.
Course Updater : Sergio Esteban Ospina Toloza
Course development date: miércoles, 4 Course update date: viernes, 24 de
de diciembre de 2019 enero de 2020
Course description:
The English III course is part of the foreign language component stated in the
curricular guidelines for the different UNAD academic programs. It is a methodological
course divided into two units; it is designed to be developed in 16 weeks. It is a
theoretical-practical course with 2 academic credits, which consists of autonomous
study and teacher support, for a 96-hour academic work, distributed into 48-hour
autonomous study and 48 hours of support and monitoring teaching.
The course understands the second language in its four different skills. For instance,
Speaking and listening through audios and audiovisual resources; understanding and
writing texts through writing, comprehension and development of contents in a text
as product.
English III course is designed under the task-based learning strategy, where students
must study the online contents and subsequently, present the tasks that are planned
to assess their performance.

2. Academic training purpose:

The course´s academic training purpose is to facilitate the development of the four
communicative skills (speaking listening, reading, writing) focused on interaction to
discuss current and recent past situations within academic and daily contexts.
 3. Learning´s outcomes:

At the end of the academic course the student will be able:

Learning´s outcomes:1– To examine their previous knowledge of the language in

academic and daily contexts.
Learning´s outcomes:2– To construct a text in the target language in which they will
provide arguments to answer a question based on a text in an academic way.
Learning´s outcomes:3– To demonstrate their understanding of the lexical
elements learnt in the E-book for linguistics awareness.
Learning´s outcomes:4– To express ideas about past experiences and future plans
through a video and an interview integrating the information developed in the
writing task and focusing on the oral development of the same linguistics elements
within an academic context.
Learning´s outcomes:5– To assess their own individual process in the course by
self-valuating their academic performance in the different course tasks.
Learning´s outcomes:6– To solve the final exam based on the understanding of
course contents in the course platform.

4. Learning strategy:

The course´s learning strategic is task-based learning strategy –TBL-, where

students must study the contents independently, looking up, and later, develop
the assignments required. Along different stages individual, team-based
synchronic and asynchronous activities are performed.

The learning strategy is settled in the following tasks:

• 1– Task 1: Recognition Quiz

• 2– Task 2: Writing Task
• 3– Task 3: Knowledge Quiz
• 4– Task 4: Speaking Task
• 5– Task 5: Self-Evaluation
• 6– Task 6: Final Exam

5. Course´s Contents and bibliography

Unit 1: Developing appropriate conversation skills.
At this unit you will study these academic contents:

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 5:

Express opinions: Language of agreeing and disagreeing
Express soft and hard disagreement

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 6:

Initiate and close a conversation
Keep conversations moving
Announce the end of a conversation

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 7:

Manage interactions (interrupting - changing the topic)
Express polite opinions

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 8:

Manage interaction: Expressing active listening,
resuming, continuing
Develop active listening skills
Understand and give simple directions
Ask for and give advice

To deal with topics of this subject, it is recommended to look up the following

bibliographic references:

Sherton English. (1999-2018). Retrieved from

http://www.shertonenglish.com/resources/es/adjectives/adjectives-compound.php
Woodward English. Retrieved from http://www.grammar.cl/english/compound-
adjectives.htm
My English pages. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/vocabulary-lesson-compound-
adjectives.php
English 3D. (2007). Buenos Aires, República de Argentina. Retrieved from:
http://www.clafoti.com/imagenes12/present_future.htm
Pearson Brown. Retrieved from
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/presentformsforfuture/menu.php
Bluebloc Notes. Retrieved from http://www.blueblocnotes.com/grammar/future-
tenses/present-continuous-future
E Learning Language. (2003). Retrieved from
http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/ingles/gramatica/verbosmodales.html
Laurent Camus. To learn English. Retrieved from
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/english_lessons/modals-questions
MediaCed Ltd. (2018). Verbling. Retrieved from
http://www.englishforums.com/English/ModalQuestions/cqgbj/post.htm
Nikita Kovalyov. (2002). Eclectic English. Retrieved from
http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/Should1B.html
Stack Exchange Network. (2018). English language & usage. Retrieved from
http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/72987/how-to-create-a-questions-
from-past-modal-verb-sentences
Generate Press. Perfect English Gramar. (2018). Retrieved from http://www.perfect-
english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-obligation.html
Orlando Moure. OM Personal Multimedia English. (1999). Buenos Aires República
Argentina. Retrieved from
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omgrammar/verbosmodales1.htm
My English pages. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-modals.php
English for level B1. Retrieved from
http://roble.pntic.mec.es/dgub0004/modalverbs.html
English page. (2018). Language dynamics. Retrieved from
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfect.html
English club. (1997-2918). Retrieved from
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_future.htm
Kulatý, Petr. E-grammar. Retrieved from http://www.e-grammar.org/time-clauses/
Englisch-hilfen. (1999-2018). Retrieved from http://www.englisch-
hilfen.de/en/grammar/future_comparison.htm
Shoebottom, Paul. Frankfurt International School. Retrieved from
http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/future.htm
Sevastopoulos, Julie. (2017). Palo Alto, California, USA.English gramar reference.
Retrieved from http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/gerund3c.html
Esl – lounge. (2001-2018). Retrieved from http://www.esl-
lounge.com/student/grammar/1g31-present-simple-continuous-past-letter-gap-
fill.php
To learn English. Retrieved from http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-
english-2/exercise-english-48420.php
ELTbase. (2008-2018). Retrieved from http://www.eltbase.com/notes.php?id=110
The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue. (1995-2018). Purdue Owl. Retrieved from
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/627/
La mansión del Inglés. Retrieved from http://www.mansioningles.com/gram62.htm
Pearson Brown. (2003). Retrieved from
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/ingform/menu.php
Unit 2: Telling stories and anecdotes in everyday and academic situations.
At this unit you will study these academic contents:

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 9:

Critique and review different kind of texts
State a position
Listen to and respond to arguments

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 10:

Describe experiences
Organize stories and personal anecdotes

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 11:

Describe hope and plans
Talk about abstract themes
Relate present with future

• E-book/Online Content- Level B1 – Module 12:

Develop an argument
Present a main topic and support ideas in an argument
Understand the logics of argumentation

To deal with topics of this subject, it is recommended to look up the following

bibliographic references:

English exercises. Retrieved from

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4291
British Council. Retrieved from http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-
grammar/clause-phrase-and-sentence/verb-patterns/relative-clauses
EC English Language Centres. Learn English. Retrieved from
http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/prepositions-plus-ing
Englishpage. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/prepositions.html
Engish page. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/prepositions.html
English exercises. Retrieved from
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=734
Using English. (2002-2018). Retrieved from
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/
English gramar online 4u. Retrieved from http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-
up/grammar/simpas-preper
Learn English. Cursos-ingles. Retrieved from http://www.curso-
ingles.com/gramatica-inglesa/present-perfect-past-simple.php
Learn English. Cursos-inglés. Retrieved from http://www.curso-
ingles.com/gramatica-inglesa/present-perfect.php
Aprender Inglés Fácil. (2017). Retrieved from
http://www.aprenderinglesfacil.es/2008/06/presente-perfecto-present-perfect-
tense.html
Pearson Brown. (2003). Retrieved from
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/presentperfectorpastsimple/menu.php
Demchenko, Yuri. Uazone. (1999). Retrieved from
http://www.uazone.org/friends/esl4rus/presentperf.html
BBC. (2018). BBC Learning English.. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv298.sht
ml
English Practice. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.englishpractice.com/grammar/question-tags-short-answers-part/
LEO network. Learn English gramar. (1999-2016). Retrieved from
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/tagquestions.htm
Collins Adele. (2003). Adele’s ESL corner. Retrieved from
http://www.adelescorner.org/grammar/qtags/qtags_mixed_tenses.html
English gramar online 4u. Retrieved from http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-
up/grammar/simple-past
Aula fácil S.L. (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.aulafacil.com/Ingejerc/Lecciones/Lecc20.htm
Saber inglés. (2000-2018). Retrieved from
http://www.saberingles.com.ar/curso/lesson15/06.html
To Learn English. Retrieved from
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-
87374.php
Leshoekje. Retrieved from http://www.leshoekje.be/leshoekje/ICT-
oef%20ENG2/present-past3.htm
Busy teacher. (2007-2018). Retrieved from http://busyteacher.org/7675-simple-
present-and-simple-past-worksheet.html
Aula fácil S.L. (2009). Retrieved from
http://www.aulafacil.com/Ingejerc/Lecciones/Lecc21.htm
English exercises. Retrieved from
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=3623
Gobronidze L. (2019) OVI-If Clauses. Taken from: http://hdl.handle.net/10596/22447
Ospina S. (2019) OVI- There is / There are. Taken from: https://bit.ly/2RTnwRv
6. Settings of academic’s activities by weeks
Initial moment:

Task 1 Pre-knowledge Quiz

It is developed from week 1 to week 2
Agree to learning´s outcomes:1
The activities are: Closed Objective Test (Prueba Objetiva Cerrada POC) Close ended
questions of topics seen in the course English III.

Intermediate moment

Task 2 Writing production.

It is developed from week 3 to week 14
Agree to learning´s outcomes:2
The activities are: To write a text expressing his/her point of view about the text “Is
it fair for Shakespeare to overshadow Cervantes?” and answering the same question
as the title of the article.

Task 3: Knowledge Quiz

It is developed from week 3 to week 14
Agree to learning´s outcomes:3
The activities are: Close ended questions of topics seen in Unit 1, modules 5 to 8.

Task 4 Speaking Task.

It is developed from week 3 to week 14
Agree to learning´s outcomes:4
The activities are: first, prepare an interview about personal information, then, tell a
brief story about a past experience; finally, record a video in which the student tlaks
about a short film using reported speech.

Task 5 Course review.

It is developed from week 3 to week 14
Agree to learning outcomes:5
The activities are: Self-evaluation through close ended questions.

Final moment

Task 6 Final test.

It is developed from week 15 to week 15
Agree to learning´s outcomes:6
The activities are: Closed Objective Test (Prueba Objetiva Cerrada POC) Close ended
questions from Unit 1 and 2.

7. Monitoring strategy
To develop the activities, you will have an academic monitoring from your professor.
The spaces stablished to have this academic monitoring and interaction are as
follows:
• Skype session
• Webconference and online sessions
• In Situ monitoring sessions
• Virtual Campus email
 8. Course´s evaluation plan

Initial moment evaluation

Task 1: Pre-knowledge quiz

Agree to learning´s outcomes:1
The evaluation standard is the Presentation of the online pre-knowledge task.
The learning evidences is the development of the quiz attempted in the Evaluation
environment.

This standard represents 25 points of the task, corresponds to 5% of the course´s

evaluation
Intermediate moment evaluation:

Task 2: Writing Task.

Agree to learning´s outcomes:2
The evaluation standard is that the Student develops the writing production in the
forum.
The learning evidence is a postcard in .pdf format shared in the Evaluation
environment.
Task higher score: 120 points

Task 3: Knowledge quiz.

Agree to learning´s outcomes:3
The evaluation standard is an Online test that assesses the knowledge of Unit 1.
The learning evidence is the development of the quiz attempted in the Evaluation
environment.
Task higher score: 110 points

Task 4: Speaking Task.

Agree to learning´s outcomes:4
The evaluation standard is a Synchronous meeting with the tutor and recording of a
video.
The learning evidences are: Attendance to the interview with the tutor and the
Youtube link of the video.
Task higher score: 90 points

Task 5: Self-Evaluation.
Agree to learning´s outcomes:5
The evaluation standard is the Student reflection of their academic performance.
The learning evidence is an Online test that validates the student’s performance in
the course.
Task higher score: 30 points

The higher score of this evaluation moment corresponds to 70% of the course (350
points).
Final moment evaluation:

Task 6: Final Exam.

Agree to learning´s outcomes:6
The evaluation standard is the Presentation of the final exam of the course.
The learning evidences is an Online test that assesses the knowledge of Units 1 and
2.
Task higher score: 125 points

This standard represents 125 points of the task, corresponds to 25% of the course´s
evaluation.