Nha Trang University

Bachelor Program (English)

2021-2022

SYLLABUS

Course: Speaking 4

Course Length: 30 Periods (15 sessions- 2 periods/session) – 2 credits

Aims and Objectives: At the end of the course, students will be able to
- Discuss effectively and fluently in long conversations, talks and presentations
- Improve essential communication skills to participate in and lead a debate

Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes and participate actively in class activities. Good
attendance (100% present & homework complete & active participation) will be rewarded 20% of
your final mark.

Assessment
This course will be examined by a combination of in-term assessment and an end-of-term test. The
final grade will be rewarded on the basis of your marks for your attendance and your class
participation (20%), your assignment (group work: 30%), and an end-of-term test (50%).

Required Textbooks:
1. Gault, J (2006), New Headway Talking Points, OUP.
2. Richards, J (2005), Passages 1 & 2, CUP.
3. Jones, L (2004), Let’s Talk 3, CUP
4. Solorzano, H (2009), Northstar Speaking & Listening 3 & 4, Longman
5. Alexander, L.G. (1968), For & Against, Cambridge University Press

Additional References:
- Speaking strategies for the IELTS test
- CNN, BBC Websites

Course outline

Sessions Titles Remarks

Session 1 Introduction to the course T’s activities (pair work & individual work
Problem Solving included)
Session 2&3 Language T’s activities (group/ pair work &
individual work included)
Session 4&5 TV and reading T’s activities (group/ pair work &
individual work included)
Session 6&7 Animals T’s activities (group/ pair work &
individual work included)
Session 8&9 Values T’s activities (group/ pair work &
individual work included)
Session 10&15 Mid-term test/ Assignment (Topics for Student-led activities* (Group work &
debate) Presentation skills included)

Stop & Check- Problem solving Individual work

Notes: Assignment
*Topics for debates (student-led activities): 50 minutes/ group (References)
1. Television is doing irreparable harm.
2. Celebrities are perhaps the happiest people.
3. The only thing people are interested in today is earning more money.
4. Books, plays and films should be censored.
5. People should be rewarded according to ability, not according to age and experience.
6. It’s always ideal to choose to live in a large modern city.
7. Animals should not be kept in captivity.
8. We hope teaching-machines will replace teachers.
9. Saving money is painful and unnecessary.
10. Compulsory military service should be abolished in all countries.

Scoring rubric

Content (clear ideas + detailed information + expressions for debate ) 35%

Organization of the debate + Time limit 15%
Visual aids (slides, handouts, realia,..) + Creativity 15%
Delivery (pronunciation & intonation- 10%, grammar- 10%, body language- 5%, 30%
volume- 5%)
Equal balance among group members 5%
Total 100%