Curriculum and Test Development Unit

English Language Institute

King Abdulaziz University

ELIS 103
(Academic Track)

Speaking Project
Information and
Forms

Module 2, 2021/22

Name:

Section:

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University

 Speaking Project Information for Students
ELIS 103
Module 2, 2021/22
Overview
The 103 speaking project is a project that involves multiple steps that will end with a 4-5 minute
presentation which you will give at the end of the module. The main product of the project is related to speaking.
However, you will also practice other English skills in preparing the project including listening, reading, and
writing.
You will need to:
• Turn in a list of topics for your teacher to approve.
• Turn in a list of sources for your teacher to approve.
• Read and/or watch the sources to learn information about the topic.
• Turn in short paragraphs about what you learned from the sources.
• Prepare and present a final spoken presentation.

Important Information about Forms

Each step of the project (except step 4) requires you to turn a form in to your teacher. Your teacher will
look over the form and return it to you several days later. It is important that you keep ALL the forms (from
steps 1-3) for the whole module. You will need to turn them in again on the day of your final presentation.
You are strongly recommended to make a copy of the forms when you receive them back from your teacher and
to keep them in a safe place.

Step One: Choosing Your Topic

You should submit 3 choices of topic, in priority order, to your instructor by Sunday, November 7th (Week
2) on the form provided. The forms are available in the “Speaking Project” folder in Student Resources
https://goo.gl/TiZ7FC. Your topic needs to be academic in nature and related to the themes in the course. Topics
should not be related to religion or politics in any way. You need to be able to find articles, videos, or audio files
in English related to your topic. In addition, written sources should be a minimum of 350 words. Audio-visual
sources should contain a minimum of 1.5 minutes of spoken text.
Your presentation will be an informative presentation. It will give the audience information about a
subject. Please make sure that your topic fits this type of presentation.
Your teacher will not allow more than one student to do the exact same topic. That is why you need to
submit a list of 3 choices.
Here are some examples of acceptable and unacceptable topics. Please note that your teacher will
always have the final decision about whether your topic is acceptable.
Book 2, Unit 6 Business Why?
Acceptable: How Facebook Started
The business history of Subway (how it
began, how it grew, when it expanded
into KSA, etc)
Unacceptable: How my father started a business The information is personal and does not require
the student to read or watch anything.
Book 2, Unit 7 People
Acceptable: The Life of a Famous Historical Figure Written and spoken material about these kinds
(e.g.: a writer, scientist, inventor, of people will be more academic.
thinker, etc.)
Unacceptable: A Famous Saudi Youtuber Information might not be in English.
Written and spoken material about current
popular people is often more informal and less
academic.

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Information for Students Module 2, 2021/22 p. 2

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
 Book 2, Unit 8 The universe
Acceptable: Narrative/Informative: These topics are specific and focused
• The Appollo 11 Mission to the Moon
• Types of satellites used for
communication
• How satellites work
Unacceptable: The solar system Too broad
Book 3, Unit 1 Animals
Acceptable: An Endangered Species and why they are Topic is specific and focused.
endangered (e.g.: Whales, Elephants,
Eagles, etc.)
Unacceptable: Horses Topic is too broad.
Book 3, Unit 2 The environment
Acceptable: Renewable Energy: What is it and why Acceptable. It is sufficiently academic and
is it important? topic is sufficiently focused.

Unacceptable: Environmental Pollution Less acceptable. Topic is too broad to be

discussed in a short presentation.

Step 2: Find Information about your Topic

After your instructor approves your topic, you need to find information about it. The information should
be in English and it can be written, audio, or video. Written sources should be a minimum of 350 words. Audio-
visual sources should contain a minimum of 1.5 minutes of spoken text. There are many websites where you can
find information including www.bbc.com/learningenglish and www.discoveryeducation.org. You can also use
Google search to help you find information. Please note that Wikipedia is not a reliable source of information
and should not be used as a source for this project. Your teacher may give you additional information about how
to find good sources.
By Sunday, November 21st (Week 3), you need to submit to your teacher, on the form provided, a list
of 3-4 sources (written, audio, or video) that you will use to find information about your topic. Your teacher
needs to approve your list of sources and say that they are OK and academic enough.

Step 3: Learn and Write Information about your Topic

After your instructor approves your sources, you need to watch/listen to/read your sources and write a
paragraph about the information you got from each of your sources. You will turn in, on the form provided, the
paragraphs for grading by Monday, December 6th (Week 4).

Step 4: Give Your Final Presentation

The final product of your ELIS 103 Speaking Project is a 4-5 minute presentation (including the
introduction and conclusion) which you will give on Thursday, December 23rd. To receive the highest marks, the
body of your presentation (excluding introduction and conclusion) should be around 3 to 3 ½ minutes long.

Your presentation should:

• Include an introduction that attempts to grab the attention of your audience and that explains why you
chose your topic.
• Explain the topic and the major things you learned about the topic from your sources.
• Have a conclusion that summarizes the key information you learned and why you think it’s important (in
other words, it should answer the question, “So what?”).

You will be graded on:

• Your introduction
• How well and in how much detail you explain your topic
ELIS 103 Speaking Project Information for Students Module 2, 2021/22 p. 3
© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
 • Your conclusion
• How well you demonstrate a clear understanding and knowledge of your topic
• How well organized and easy to follow your presentation is
• Your ability to stay on topic and not introduce irrelevant details

Please note that you are not allowed to read your presentation either from detailed notes or from Power Point
slides. If you mostly read your presentation, you will lose a lot of marks as mentioned on the rating scale. You
are allowed to have notes while you speak as long as you don’t mostly read from them. Power Point slides and/or
visual aids are NOT required and are not considered in the grade. You will not get a higher grade if you use them.

This project is about your ability to speak and explain the information you learned about your topic. As a result,
you are not allowed to use any audio clips as part of your presentation. You should be the only speaker.

Please note the score for your presentation will be significantly lowered if there is not a clear link between
your presentation, your topic, and the sources and information you submitted in Steps 1-3.

Summary of Steps and Speaking Project Grade Components

Step Task Due Hand-in % of Project
# Grade
1 Select 3 topics related to one of the Sunday, 3 choices of topic in 3
themes in the coursebook. November 7th priority order
2 Upon approval of the topic, select and Sunday, List of sources – (Only one 3
submit for approval a list of 4 November 21st of the sources can be
audio/visual or written sources on a from the coursebook)
topic of interest.
3 Upon approval of the sources, read Monday, Short paragraphs about 19
and/or watch the sources. December 6th the content and/or
information in the sources
4 Make a final Presentation. (4-5 Thursday, All the forms submitted 75
minutes) December 23rd previously (Steps 1-3) for
the teacher’s reference
Total: 100%

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Information for Students Module 2, 2021/22 p. 4

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
 ELIS 103 Speaking Project
Grading Rubric
Module 2, 2021/22
Step One: Choosing Topic
Task Achievement
Student submits his / her choice of 3 appropriate academic topics related to themes in the course book by 3
the due date.
Student submits his / her choice of 2 appropriate academic topics related to themes in the course book OR 2
submits up to 3 school days late.
Student submits only 1 appropriate academic topic related to themes in the course book OR submits not 1
more than 1 week late.
Student fails to submit anything OR submits more than 1 week late. 0

Step Two: Submission of sources for Approval

Task Achievement
Student submits for approval a list of 4 appropriate audio-visual and/or written sources on topic of interest 3
by the due date.
Student submits for approval a list of 3 appropriate audio-visual and/or written sources on topic of interest 2
OR submits up to 3 school days late.
Student submits for approval a list of 2 appropriate audio-visual and/or written sources on topic of interest 1
OR submits up to 1 week late.
Student submits for approval only 1 appropriate audio-visual and/or written source on topic of interest OR 0
submits more than 1 week late.

Step Three: Submission of Paragraphs

Task Achievement: (16 points, 4 points per paragraph)
For each source, the paragraph about what the student learned from that source will be graded as follows:
Paragraph is at least 7 sentences in length and clearly states at least 4 things the student learned from 4
the source with clear and sufficient examples and supporting details.
Paragraph is at least 6 sentences in length and clearly states at least 3 things the student learned from 3
the source with clear and sufficient examples and supporting details.
Paragraph is at least 5 sentences in length and clearly states at least 3 things the student learned from 2
the source with some examples and supporting details.
Paragraph is less than 5 sentences and/or states less than 3 things the student learned. 1
No paragraph written about the source. 0

Source Information is Complete and Verifiable: (3 points total)

The title of each source and the web address or other means of locating the source has been written down
completely and is verifiable for:
All 4 sources 3
3 sources 2
2 of the sources 1
Only 1 source or none of the sources 0
Late submissions are -2 points up to 2 days late; -4 points up to 4 days late; -6 points 5 or more days late.

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Grading Rubric Module 2, 2021/22 p. 5

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 ELIS 103 Speaking Project
Grading Rubric, Step Four – Final Presentation
Overall Marking Notes
1. No in between scores and no half scores are allowed.
2. The student must meet all the positive characteristics for the score to get the score. If he/she only meets some of the
characteristics, he/she should be given a lower score.
3. Even when a “0” is not mentioned in the scale, a “0” should be given:
• for any category where the characteristics of the lowest score listed are not met.
• for all parts of the presentation except “Pronunciation/Fluency” if the information given is almost completely
off topic

Introduction
The introduction…….
10
• is interesting and
engaging
• clearly presents the topic
• clearly explains why the
topic was chosen
7 4 2
• is somewhat interesting and • may be rather boring • may be quite boring
engaging • somewhat clearly presents • may be very brief
• fairly clearly presents the the topic • vaguely presents the topic
topic • may not explain very well • may not explain why the
• gives some explanation why why the topic was chosen. topic was chosen.
the topic was chosen

Body (35 points total):

Explanation and Detail. The student…..
25 20 15 10 5
• demonstrates a very • demonstrates a clear • demonstrates a • demonstrates some • demonstrates a
clear understanding understanding of the reasonable understanding of the basic/simple
of the topic topic understanding of the topic understanding of the
• gives a large amount • explains the topic in topic • explains some of the topic
of relevant detail a clear way • explains the major things learned • explains a few of the
• body is 3 to 3 ½ • gives a good amount things learned with • details may be things learned
minutes long. of relevant detail some detail briefer • details are brief
• body is at least 2 ½ • body is at least 2 • body is at least 1 ½ • body is at least 1
minutes long. minutes long. minutes long. minute long.

Organization The presentation is…..

10 8 6 4 2
• very well- • well-organized • organized • somewhat organized • poorly organized
organized • easy to follow • fairly easy to • can be followed • Some information may
• very easy to follow • Almost follow • Some information is relevant be relevant and
• Everything is everything is • Most information and related to the topic related to the topic
relevant and clearly relevant and is relevant and • other information seems off • more information
related to the clearly related related to the topic or only tangentially seems off topic or only
topic. to the topic. topic. related. tangentially related.

Conclusion:
The conclusion…….
10
• very clearly summarizes the
key information learned
• very clearly explains why the
information is important
7 4 2
• fairly clearly summarizes the • only summarizes • quite brief
key information learned information learned or • may not give the audience
• fairly clearly explains why the why the information is enough information.
information is important important.

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Grading Rubric Module 2, 2021/22 p. 6

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
Pronunciation and Fluency:
12 9 7 4 2
• clear and • fairly clear and easy to • understandable with • understandable with • difficult to understand
easy to understand some listener effort significant listener • pauses/hesitation are
understand • fairly fluent, with some • pauses/hesitation may effort frequent and severely
• fluent, with pauses/hesitations impact the flow of the • pauses/hesitation impact the flow of the
few pauses • speed is generally speech significantly impact the speech
• consistently appropriate • speed is somewhat flow of the speech • speed is very slow
appropriate slower or faster than • speed is slow overall overall
speed ideal.

Accuracy:
Grammar and/or vocabulary errors:
8 6 4 2
• do not affect • may only have a slight • may sometimes hinder • often hinder
comprehensibility. effect on comprehensibility. comprehensibility. comprehensibility.

PENALTIES:
• If the student mostly reads his/her presentation (either reading from detailed notes or from power point
slides), deduct 7 marks. This is a speaking project, not a reading project.
• If the student’s presentation is only somewhat connected to what the student turned in for Steps 2 and
3, deduct 10 marks.
• If the student’s presentation has little connection to the sources cited and what the student turned in for
Steps 2 and 3, deduct 18 marks.
• If only the general topic matches what the student has done previously, deduct 25 marks.
• If the presentation is on a completely different topic, deduct 35 marks.
Student Score for Part 4:
Total of Introduction, Body, Conclusion, and Pronunciation / Fluency / Comprehensibility /75
Penalties (if any) -
Final Score for Step 4 /75

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Grading Rubric Module 2, 2021/22 p. 7

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Name: _____________________________ ID#: _________________
ELIS 103 Speaking Project
Student Forms
Module 2, 2021/22
Step One: Use this form to hand in your top 3 choices of topic.
To the teacher: Write “yes” and initial beside the “approved” topic choice and write “no” for the 2
topics that are NOT approved.
Unit Theme Topic Approved?
1 st

Choice

2nd
Choice

3rd
Choice

Grade for Step 1: ________ /3 Teacher’s Signature: _____________________ Date: _______

Teacher’s Comments:

Step Two: Use this Form to Get Approval of your Sources of Information
To the teacher: Write “yes” or “no” in the “approved?” column for each source.
Source Title Type of What is it about? Where did you get it Appro
Text (A sentence about the from? ved?
(Audio, information given in each (website URL or
Video or source) Book/Magazine title and date
Written) and page number)
1

Teacher’s Comments on Sources:

Grade for Step 2: ________ /3 Teacher’s Signature: _____________________ Date: _______

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Student Forms Module 2, 2021/22 p. 8

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
Name: _____________________________ ID#: _________________
Step Three: Complete the requested information about each source. Then write a paragraph about what
you learned from each source here.
Source 1 Title: __________________________________________________
Website URL/Where you found it: ____________________________________________________

Source 2 Title: __________________________________________________

Website URL/Where you found it: ____________________________________________________

Source 3 Title: __________________________________________________

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Student Forms Module 2, 2021/22 p. 9
© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University
Name: _____________________________ ID#: _________________
Website URL/Where you found it: ____________________________________________________

Source 4 Title: __________________________________________________

Website URL/Where you found it: ____________________________________________________

Grade for Step 3:

Task Achievement
Source 1 Para. Source 2 Para. Source 3 Para. Source 4 Para. Clear Source Info Late Penalties Total
/4 /4 /4 /4 /3 - /19

Teacher’s Signature: _____________________ Date: ______________

ELIS 103 Speaking Project Student Forms Module 2, 2021/22 p. 10

© 2020, English Language Institute, King Abdulaziz University