Birzeit University

Department of Languages & Translation

ENGC 2203 Course Outline- Sem. I, 2022-2023

Course Description

ENGC 2203 is a 2-credit hour course that focuses on effective argument. Students are
able to: account for and sustain their opinions in discussion by providing relevant
explanations, arguments and comments; understand the main ideas of complex texts
on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of
specialization, interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular
interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party; produce
clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical
issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Prerequisite for ENGC2203: Assessment test (B2 score) or ENGC2202.

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

 understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract
topics;
 interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity;

 produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects;

 explain a viewpoint on a topical issue;

 use appropriate strategies of reading, such as skimming, scanning;

 read articles and reports focusing on contemporary problems in which the

writers adopt particular viewpoints;

 take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts ;

 present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their

field of interest;

 write clear detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to their interests;

 write different types of essays on different topics and giving reasons in

support of a point of view;

 give clear descriptions and express viewpoints on most topics;

 show a high degree of grammatical accuracy;

 speak with a clear, natural pronunciation and intonation;

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  express confidently, clearly and politely in formal or informal settings.

Course Outcomes:
A: Knowledge and Understanding
:Students should be able to
 understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract
topics;
 understand broadcasted news and current affairs programs;
 -show a high degree of grammatical accuracy;
 - use appropriate strategies of reading, such as skimming, scanning;

B: Intellectual/Cognitive/Analytical Skills
Students should be able to:
 explain a viewpoint on a topical issue;
 take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts;
 present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their
field of interest;
 write letters highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences;

C: Subject Specific Skills

Students should be able to:
 produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects;
 write different types of essays on different topics, giving reasons in support of
a point of view;
 read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the
writers adopt particular viewpoints
 give clear descriptions and express viewpoints on most topics;

D: Transferable Skills
Students should be able to:
 interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity;
 write clear detailed texts on a wide range of subjects related to their interests;
 speak with a clear, natural pronunciation and intonation;
 express themselves confidently, clearly and politely in formal or informal
settings.

Specific learning objectives:

See learning objectives at the beginning of each unit.

Course Material

1. Sowton ,C. & and Kennedy, A.( 2019). (Second edition). Unlock 4, Reading,
Writing & Critical Thinking (with online workbook).
2. Lansford, L., Lockwood ,R. & Sowton ,C..( 2019). (Second edition). Unlock 4,
Listening, Speaking & Critical Thinking (with online workbook)

Suggested Websites and Applications:

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 The following are some helpful websites targeting the four skills: Listening,
reading, writing, and speaking:

 https://quizlet.com/73213924/unlock
 http://www.english-test.net
 http://www.toeic-online-test.com/
 http://www.learningchocolate.com
 http://www.studyenglishtoday.net
 http://funeasyenglish.com
 www.merriamwebster.com
 www.Youtube.com/Edu
 http://voki.com/
 http://www.eslcafe.com/
 http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bltoeflquiz

Some helpful applications targeting the four skills: Listening, reading, writing,
and speaking:
 Cambridge English Dictionary
 Cambridge English-Arabic Dictionary
 English Grammar in Use: Sample
 Learn English Grammar (British Council)
 Practice English Grammar
 BBC Learning English
 Speak English

Attendance Policy:
Regular attendance is mandatory in all classes. Any student who misses more than
four classes without an acceptable excuse WILL RECEIVE FA. Students who miss
more than one-third of the classes, with or without excuse, WILL Receive FA
(Failure). If you miss a class, it is your duty to find out what you have missed and
what you need to make up. Also, in case of interruption of classes, you are
expected to continue studying according to the course outline. You should also
prepare in advance all videos and listening materials so as to ensure having an
adequate and proper educational setting.

Important:
 Students must create reading and listening accounts in both online books.
 Students are requested to do all the required activities and tasks of the
ONLINE workbooks because they are included in all quizzes and tests.

Grade Distribution: The passing grade for this course is 60%

Items Marks Remarks

1- RW Quiz
20 marks Should cover Unit two (Education ) & include a
comprehension passage, language development
and grammar.

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 2-Listening Quiz 10 marks Of course, it should be done in class.

3-Attendance, 10 marks To be allocated on grade sheet in one slot.

participation and
homework

4-In-class writing 15 marks At least one graded task.

assignment

5-Portfolio 5 marks Should be hand written and submitted at the

beginning of week 12.
40 marks Should cover the following:
6- Final exam RW & LS. 1. RW and LD of LS (30 marks).
2. The writing component (10 marks).

Course Outline:

Weeks Material Specific learning Pages

objectives
 Introduction to the course
Week 1 Evaluate students'
 Outline background knowledge
and writing level
 Diagnostic writing

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Week 2 RW Unit 2: Education (READING) pp36-39

 Unlock your Knowledge  Make prediction

 Watch and listen  Summarize

  Make inferences
pp40-43
 Reading 1 Reading 1 
pp44--47
 Understand key
vocabulary pp47-55
 Reading 2 (Portfolio / Task one)
Week 3  Read for detail &
main ideas

 Language Development  Make inferences

 Writing/ Grammar for writing
 Analyze academic
&vocational subjects
Week 4
 Compare and
contrast
Writing
 Use adverb clauses of
contrast
Week 5 pp.55-57
RW Unit 2: First In-Class Writing  Avoid run-on
Assignment: Comparison/Contrast sentences

 Write an essay about

similarities/
differences
LS Unit 2: Education (LISTENING)  Listen for main ideas

Week 6  Objectives  Understand key p 36

 Unlock your knowledge vocabulary
pp37-39
 Watch and listen: Portfolio/
Task two pp40-43
 Listen for advice and
 Listening 1 (Homework) suggestion
 Take notes on detail
 Then general discussion in pp44-46
class) 

  Future continuous
Week 7 pp.46-49

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  Language development  Stating preferences
with would


 Listening 2
 Listen for main ideas
 Speaking
 Listen for opinions
 Homework: Video Presentation
via ITC or Ritaj 

Week 8 Reading Test (ONE CLASS)  Giving an opinion

and making
suggestions

 Prioritize criteria to
evaluate options

Week 8 RW Unit 3: Medicine (READING) p.58

(Cont.)
 Objectives p.59
 Unlock your knowledge
pp.60-61
 Watch and listen
(Portfolio/Task Three)  Skim/ scan for key pp.62-65
words
 Reading 1 (Portfolio/Task  Read for detail
Week 9 Four)
 Annotatel a text pp.66-68

 Make inferences pp.69-70
 Reading 2

 Language Development
 Use the correct
Week 10  RW Unit 3: writing adjective forms& the
correct form of words

Opinion Essay
pp.71--77
 Use articles correctly
 Evaluate actions for
avoiding illness
Week 11  Writing assignment.
 Use a variety of
"Opinion Essay" sentences when
writing an academic
Optional/ Homework or In-class

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 essay

 Analyze statements
(in favor vs. against)

 Structure body
paragraphs in an
essay
Week 12 LS Unit 3: Medicine (LISTENING)  Listen for gist, detail, p 58
opinion, main ideas,
 Objectives attitudes & details
 Unlock your knowledge
 pp59-61
 Watch and listen (Homework)
 Practice intonation in
 Listening 1 (Portfolio: Task question tags.
Five) pp.62-65

 pp.66-68
 Conditionals
Week 13  Language development pp.69-71
 Persuade someone to
 agree with your point
of view;
 Listening 2
 Debate whether
 healthcare should be
free
 Speaking

 Homeork: Speaking Task/

Video Presentations (Role Play)
via ITC

Week 14 Revision

ENGC 2203 Coordinator: Dr. Tagreed Abed