Course syllabus

MDE 003
90 hours in class
2022/2023 academic year, spring semester
ECTS credits: 6, language of instruction: English

Course instructor: Aigerim Orynbassarova a.orynbassarova@sdu.edu.kz

Office hours: Tuesday, 12:00-14:00

Course learning outcomes and assessment tasks

Having completed the course, a student:
Course learning outcomes Assessment tasks

text-based and situation-based assessment tasks

● recognize sentences and frequently-used
expressions and catch the main point in standard
speech
● interact in social situations by complex exchange
of information on unexpected topics and activities

group/pair work, presentation, class discussion, class

● demonstrate confidence in using advanced
assignment, essay writing
grammatical forms in written form
● write long texts linking a series of complex
phrases and sentences with complex connectors

decoding, vocabulary, sentence construction and

● read and understand complex texts to find
cohesion
specific, hidden information

The aim of the course is to help learners achieve an overall English language proficiency of Intermediate level,
defined as B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Course materials
Marileni Malkogianni, Mitchell H.Q. (2015). Pioneer Intermediate, mm publications

Course policy
Class attendance
1. The class will meet 30 times during the semester. There are no points for attendance; however,
excessive absenteeism will be reflected in your final grade.
2. A 15-minute grace period for late arrivals is allowed. A student who arrives later than the permitted
grace period is considered absent.

Assessment
Final grade (100%) = Pre-final grade (60%) + Final project (40%)

Pre-final grade 100 Final 100

QUIZ PARTICIPATION HOMEWORK WRITING PROJECT

6 x 8 pts = 48
26 points 16 points 10 points 100 pts
pts

- after each - 1 point for each - late - the topics are - 14th week for presentation
second session (3 hours) submissions provided right
- 15-20 mins maximum for
module will be given for are not allowed before the
active assignments project presentation
- web-based/ - no excuses
1
paper-based are accepted - 50 minutes - 5 min for assessment
determined by
participation - the amount of - cheating = - grading scale:
the instructor
- emergency homework is - Task achievement
- 50 minutes determined by consequences
situations (illness,
- late family reasons, the instructor - Oral presentation
*see the rubrics
submissions
traffic jam) must for writing below - Teamwork
are not
allowed be reported
formally – - Creativity
- can take the
allowed only 2
missed test *see the rubrics for project
times
only twice below
- cheating =
consequences

PROJECT ASSIGNMENT

How to make your project?

1. Organisation moment:
● You will be assigned with 1-2 students via randomizer, making one team.
● Choose one topic and gather information upon your theme. Discuss the topic with your team.
● Make a spider map. Divide your spider map into several categories (1. your background
information, 2. information you would like to search for, 3. the relevance of the topic/issue to
modern life, 4. indicate your aims, 5. final result you want to reach)
● Delegate research works equally among team members.
● Handout the plan within the deadline (3-4 weeks) to your teacher.
2. Project plan: (15 min)
● Introduction (3 min)
● Theory (3 min)
● Production (7 min)
● Conclusion (2 min)
3. Introduction: (3 min)
● Greeting and introduction of yourself and the team members
● Topic description (why did you choose the topic?) and aims of your project, make a brief
presentation of the plan of the project).
4. Theory strategy: (3 min)
● Make a spider map. Categorise it into several parts: your background information, information
you would like to know and study, the message you want to share with the audience, the result
you want to achieve.
● Delegate research works equally between team members.
● Meet the deadline of the theory part (5-8 weeks).
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 5. Practical part: (7 min)
● Discuss within your team what you want to demonstrate (1.Experiment, 2. Research results, 3.
Your product)
● Think of details (handouts, tools, equipment) and discuss every step you take and be sure your
production part has logical order and is supported with comments.
● Mind audience interaction. You may create an activity (use any entertaining programs) to
involve other students, by checking the new knowledge you shared encouraging them by any
reward.
● Handout your production part to your teacher by the 8-15th week.
6. Conclusion: (2 min)
● Shortly summarise your project topic and results.
● Be sure to thank your audience.

Criteria
Your PROJECT should include the following:
1. Topic- Choose a topic from a choice of nine (to be discussed with the instructor) based on the
assignment objectives in the 2nd and 3rd week. You do not have access to the final project unless your
topic is approved by the teacher. Research topic and submit one report and presentation based on it.
2. Plan |10 points|
- in the 4th- 5th week develop a plan of actions and responsibilities with an outline of the project. Plan
in a doc (300 words max) format has to be submitted in the Moodle at the end of the 5th week.
3. Report| 30 points|
- Design and carry out research paper into chosen topic in the 6th-9th week discussing their causes,
consequences and possible course(s) of action, use evidence to support claims, arguments and
perspectives. Resources from the internet can be used but cited properly. Your research can include a
survey and its results, experiment and experience of yours. Report has to be submitted in the Moodle by
the end of the 10th week in the doc format (1000-1200 words).

4. Presentation |60 points|

- Outline: In the outline you need to list the headings of the information you are going to talk
about.
- Introduction (aims, objectives, issue): In this part you will talk about the aims and objectives of
your project, why did you choose this topic? What do you want to show?
- Main part (definitions, examples, advantages/disadvantages) In this part you will tell about your
project and make a demonstration about it. For example: if you choose the topic about endurance
you can talk about what is endurance, the advantages and disadvantages of endurance activities,
and consequently show muscular endurance and do a plank for 2 minutes or 50 push-ups.
Demonstration of some actions and a process or how to do something and give the audience
information while using visual aids is obligatory.
- Conclusion: in this part you can briefly say about your aim and what have you done in this
project, answering the question “So what?”
- Call-to-action (7-10 min): after your presentation, conduct a task for your peers. Examples: online
platforms (Kahoot!, Quizizz, Quizlet), speaking activities, crossword, games etc. Your goal is to
interact with your peers and ensure that they have listened to you and understood your work.
Feedback session is a must.
Remember!
● Distribute the roles efficiently, and work cooperatively.

● Make sure your project work is informative, researchable, interactive, and interesting.

● Make sure that there is enough room in the classroom for your performance (if it is masterclass).
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● Don’t forget your tools and equipment.

● Make sure your masterclass is safe (no fire, heavy tools, or sharp objects).

● To prevent technical issues, send your digital visual materials to your instructor by email before the class.

Final project
PLAN REPORT PERFORMANCE
Teamwork Creativity Task completion Oral presentation
10 points 30 points
15 points 15 points 15 points 15 points
- 4th-5th week - 6th-9th week
*See the rubrics below
- Wordcount: - Wordcount:
300 words max., 1000 words
.doc format max., .doc
format
- submit in the
Moodle by the - submit in the
end of the 4th Moodle by the
week. end of the 10th
week.

Teamwork rubric for Intermediate B1 (15%)

Category 15-11% 11-8% 8-5% 5-0%

Work for one of the

team member’s roles
is poor and the other
Work for one of the is either poor or
Excellent work for team member’s roles good. At times may
each member of the is good and the not understand Work for at least one
team. Equal other is either good alternative of this team
performance with or excellent. Shows viewpoints. Doesn’t member’s roles was
excellent interest in discussing always show an unacceptable.
cooperation. Exhibits the ideas of all team acceptable attitude
Cooperation Doesn’t effectively
a positive attitude members.Conveys toward the team and engage in
toward the team and motivation and task at hand. May information sharing.
task at hand. encouragement cause some issues Passively accepts
Provides assistance through affirmative within the group as alternate viewpoints.
and encouragement vocal tone, facial a result of poor
to all team members. expressions and verbal and non-
body language. verbal
communication.

Creativity rubric for Intermediate B1 (15%)

Category 15-11% 11-8% 8-5% 5-0%

4
 High novel
manner of A novel and
presentation Some elements of Product
unexpected
providing full the novel presentation lacks
presentation idea
detail to ensure presentation creative expression
that may be
strategy is feasible format are in terms of detail
lacking in detail to
and practical. presented. and form of
ensure overall
Includes some expression. Too
Clear attention implementation
Design of the details that lead to many texts in the
devoted to details, strategy is feasible
project the solution. Lots presentation. Lots
visual aids and and practical.
of texts in the of mistakes are
presentation. Demonstration
presentation. found.
Demonstration part was well
Demonstration Demonstration
part was clearly organised and
part wasn’t well part failed due to
developed and demonstrated.
organised. The non-organized
showed step by Presentation has
result wasn’t clear. plan.
step with a good minor errors.
explanation.

Task completion rubric for Intermediate B1 (15%)

Category 15-11% 11-8% 8-5% 5-0%

All key aspects Technical Overall limited key

expression sound. Adequate in parts.
and materials material. Many
Only modest Gaps in logical
identified, related inaccuracies. Main
abstraction. Some development.
and rigorously issue not
potential Many poor
evaluated. High addressed. Weak
connections were mistakes in the
Completion accuracy and progression of
missed. All task. Key aspect
excellent ideas. Technical
assigned tasks are omitted. Not all
integration. All aspects deficient.
completed by assigned tasks
assigned tasks are Unclear. Assigned
deadlines. were completed by
completed by tasks didn’t meet
deadline.
deadlines. deadlines.

Oral presentation rubric for Intermediate B1 level (15%)

Category 15-11% 11-8% 8-5% 5-0%

Speaks clearly and Frequently

Speaks clearly and Speaks clearly and
distinctly most of mumbles or
distinctly all the distinctly, but
Pronunciation the time. mispronounces
time, does not mispronounces 2-3
Mispronounces 5-6 key words in the
mispronounce. words.
words. presentation.

Language Usage Used the BEST Used correct Used correct Used incorrect
sentence/ sentences/structur sentences/structur sentences/structur

5
 structure/ syntax e/syntax that e/syntax that was e/syntax that was
that supported the supported the mostly appropriate not appropriate for
topic. Native topic. Native for the topic. A few the topic. Native
language was language wasn’t native words were language was used
NEVER used. used. used. often.

Uses vocabulary
Uses vocabulary
Uses the best appropriate for the
appropriate for the Uses 5 words or
vocabulary for the audience. Includes
audience. Does not phrases that are
audience. Defines 2-3 words that
Vocabulary include any inappropriate and
words that might might be new to
vocabulary that not understood by
be new to most of most of the
might be new to the audience.
the audience. audience, but does
the audience.
not define them.

Rubric for Written Report

Task description: a structured written document describing the findings of a group. An ideal report should be clear,
concise, accurate and well organised with clear section headings.

Category 6% 4% 2% 1%

Topic Directly relevant Somewhat relevant Remotely related Totally unrelated

Good organisation; Organised; points are Some organisation; Poorly organised; no

points are logically somewhat jumpy; points jump around; logical progression;
Organisation
ordered; sharp sense sense of beginning beginning and ending beginning and ending
of beginning and end and ending are unclear are vague

Supporting details Some details are non- Details are somewhat Unable to find
Quality of
are specific to subject supporting to the sketchy; do not specific details
Information
subject support topic

Only one or two Three to five errors More than five errors Numerous errors
Grammar, Usage,
errors distract from
Spelling
understanding

Vocabulary is varied; Vocabulary is varied; Vocabulary is Basic vocabulary;

Vocabulary supporting details are supporting details are unimaginative; needs descriptive
vivid useful details lack “colour” words

Total

MDE 003 – Project Plan Template

Topic

Aim of the project

Group members

Responsibilities

6
 Resources

WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Tips
1. Understand the assignment task – before you start your assignment make sure you analyse the
assignment task or question and understand what you have been asked to do.
2. Plan – planning how you will answer your assignment task or question will help you focus and make
writing your assignment easier.
3. Write.
4. Review – edit and proofread.

Criteria

Criteria 1% 2% 4% 5%

The essay is
The essay poorly The essay is The essay is focused,
focused on topic
Focus/Main addresses topic and focused on the purposeful, and
and includes few
Point includes irrelevant topic and includes reflects clear insight
loosely related
ideas relevant ideas and ideas
ideas

Generally correct Use of effective and Powerful and

Vocabulary is words. Language is creative words. engaging words.
limited. Simple functional. Words are mostly Wording is accurate
Vocabulary/ words used Experiments with correct. Figurative and precise. Good
word choice incorrectly. Words figurative language is usage of figurative
do not convey the language. Words effective. Words language. Words and
meaning convey general and phrases work language create
meaning well meaningful pictures

Writing is
Writing is not Writing is organized well. It Writing is coherent
organised into organized poorly. has an and logically
paragraphs. Little Some organization introduction, main organized with
Organization or no organization of ideas to build an body and transitions used
/Format of ideas to build an argument. conclusion. Writing between ideas and
(Paragraphs, argument
Some paragraphs lacks logical paragraphs to create
Transitions)
The assignment are missing. Meets transition. Some coherence. Overall
requirements are some requirements points remain unity of ideas is
not followed. of the assignment. misplaced and present.
stray from the topic

Language Use, Many errors in Contains frequent Uses correct Uses correct grammar,
Style & grammar, spelling, errors in grammar, grammar, spelling, punctuation
Conventions and punctuation, spelling, and spelling, and throughout with very
(Sentence makes reader’s punctuation punctuation with few errors
structure, word comprehension few errors
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choice,
grammar,
difficult
spelling,
punctuation)

Distinctive
No Very little Sufficient
experimentation
experimentation experimentation experimentation
with language and
Originality nor enhancement to enhance with language
usage to enhance
of concepts concepts and usage to
(Expression of concepts
enhance concepts
the theme in a
Applies higher order
creative way) Applies basic
No adherence to Does not exhibit thinking and creative
creative skills to
the theme creativity skills to relay complex
relay ideas
ideas

Course content

WEEK DAY MODULE LANGUAGE FOCUS

1 1 INTRODUCTION G:Present Simple vs Present Progressive

GRAMMAR

READING/ R: My unusual house

VOCABULARY
V: Phrases related to homes
1 A p.7-9
V:Phrasal verbs

SPEAKING/ L: People talking in different situations

LISTENING
S: Talking about where you live
1 A p.10-11

1 A p.11

2 GRAMMAR+REVIEW Review in Pioneer p.p.16

1 B p.12-13 G:Question words, Subject questions, Indirect questions

1 B p.14-15

8
 READING/ R: Feeling at home when living abroad
VOCABULARY
V:Phrases and expressions with get

SPEAKING/ L:Three people talking about their experiences abroad

LISTENING
S: Class discussion about living abroad

W:An informal email

2 GRAMMAR G: Past Simple, used to

3 2 A p.19 G:Past Progressive vs Past Simple

READING/ R: The rule of 3

VOCABULARY
V: Words/Phrases related to survival
2 A p.18-19
V:Words describing the weather

SPEAKING/ L:A radio interview

LISTENING
S:Class discussion about survival stories

4 GRAMMAR+REVIEW G: Review

2 B p.26

READING/ R:The Dakar Rally

VOCABULARY
V:Word building: -er, -ist, -ant
2B p. 22-23

SPEAKING/ L:A live report of a cycling endurance race

LISTENING
S:Pair work: Narrating a bad experience and showing
2B p. 23-24 concern

W:A story with a given sentence

TOPIC APPROVAL

GRAMMAR G:Present Perfect Simple vs Past Simple, Present Perfect

Progressive
3 5 QUIZ 1
G: Adjectives, Adverbs of Manner, Comparison
3A p.29 -30

9
 READING/ R: History of round-the-world trips
VOCABULARY
V:Words/phrases related to travelling
3 A p.28-31
V: Word building nouns: -ion, -ation, -ment

SPEAKING/ L:People talking in different situations

LISTENING
S:Comparing three different types of holidays
3 A p.31

6 GRAMMAR Review

REVIEW

3 B p.36

READING/ R: Appmarket
VOCABULARY

3 B p.32-33

SPEAKING/ L: A conversation about travelling apps

LISTENING
S: Pair work: choosing between two tours
3 B p.34-35
W: An article describing a place

4 GRAMMAR G:Modals I

7 4 A p.38-39

READING / R:Jane’s Borneo Blog

VOCABULARY
V:Collocations with Make and Do
4 A p.38-39

SPEAKING/ L:People talking in different situations

LISTENING
S: Group work: Role play situations related to employment

8 GRAMMAR/ G: Modals II
VOCABULARY
V: Words easily confused
4 A p.40

VOCABULARY/ V&S: Personality adjectives, Discussing different

10
 SPEAKING professions

4 B p. 42

READING/ L: People talking about advice they were given

LISTENING
R: Find the perfect job for you
4 B p.42-43

PROJECT PLAN SUBMISSION

QUIZ 2 G:Relative pronouns, relative adverb

GRAMMAR
5 9 5 A p.49

READING/ R:Whistled languages

VOCABULARY
V: Collocations with say and tell

LISTENING L: A conversation about social media sites

10 GRAMMAR/ G: Relative clauses

VOCABULARY
V: Words easily confused
5 A p.50

LISTENING/ L&S: Talking about meaning of different signs

SPEAKING
5 B p.53-54 S: Role play asking for and giving directions

WRITING W: An informal email

5 B p.54-55
Review in Pioneer p.56

6 GRAMMAR G:Future tenses

11 6 A p.59

READING/ R: Winners/Losers
VOCABULARY
6 A p. 58-60 V: Word building: opposites um-, in-, ir-, im-

11
 SPEAKING S:Class discussion about dreams, goals and ambition
6 A p.61

12 GRAMMAR/ G:Conditional sentences type zero,1,2

VOCABULARY
6 A p. 60 V: Word building: nouns ending in –ness, -ity

SPEAKING/ S:Pair work: Discussing the advantages and disadvantages

LISTENING of two
6 A p.61
6 B p.63 L: Talk about Marshmallow Experiment

L: A radio quiz about world record

WRITING W:An Essay (discussing the advantages and disadvantages)

6 B p.64-65
Review in Pioneer p.66

WRITING ASSIGNMENT 1

QUIZ 3

7 13 READING/ R:Twenty thousand leagues un der the sea

GRAMMAR
G:Past Perfect Simple – Past Perfect Progressive
7 A p.68-69

V: Geographical features

7 A p.70-71 G: Articles

SPEAKING/ L: A TV documentary about marine animals

LISTENING/
VOCABULARY S:Pair work: Recounting a story

14 7 B p.72-73 R: Q&A: H2O

READING/ V: Phrasal verbs

LISTENING/
VOCABULARY L: A radio interview about World water day

7 B p.74-75 S: Speculating and making up a story by using prompts

SPEAKING/WRITING W: A story II

REVIEW

12
8 WRITING 2 R: The Green Wall of China

15 8 A p.78-79 V: Words/phrases related to the environment

READING/ G:Passive Voice I

GRAMMAR/
VOCABULARY V: Verbs easily confused

G: Passive Voice II

8 A p.80-81 L: A radio interview about wind turbines

SPEAKING/
LISTENING S:Class discussion about the problems created by
pollution

16 8 B p.82-83 R: To meat or not to meat

8 B p.84-85 V: Food and food substances

READING/
VOCABULARY/ L: People talking in different situations
WRITING
S: Comparing two photographs of places to eat
REVIEW

W: An essay expressing an opinion

RESEARCH PAPER SUBMISSION

G: Infinitives, -ing form

GRAMMAR
9 A p.89
17

9
READING/
R: DECISIONS
VOCABULARY
9 A p.88-89
V: from the text

SPEAKING
9 B p.94 S:Class discussion about making decision
S:Class discussion about book preferences
L: People talking in different situations

13
 GRAMMAR G: Prefer, would prefer, would rather
18 9 A p.90 V:Words/Phrases related to preferences
REVIEW

READING/ R: Four online product reviews

VOCABULARY V: Word building: negative words beginning
9 A p.90
9 B p.92-93

L:A conversation between a man and a customer service

SPEAKING representative
S: Think-pair -share about shopping

GRAMMAR G: Reported speech: statements

10 A p.99

10 19
READING/ R: Xpogo!
VOCABULARY V: Idiomatic expressions
10 A p.98-99 V: Words related to sports and fitness 

SPEAKING L:People talking in different situations

10 B p.104 S:Pair work: role play situations

GRAMMAR G:Reported speech: Questions

20 10 A
p.100-101
REVIEW

READING R:Tales of Simiaz II

VOCABULARY V:Collocations with lose and miss
10 A
p.100,102-103

L:An interview with video game designer

SPEAKING S:Class discussion about events you like to attend

QUIZ 5 G: Clauses of concession and purpose

21 GRAMMAR
11 A p.109
11
READING/ R: Solving your sleep problems
VOCABULARY V: Words easily confused
11 Ap.108-109
11 A p.110

SPEAKING S:Pair work: discussing dreams

11 A p.111 L: Four people describing dreams

GRAMMAR G: All, both, neither, none, either

22 11 A p.110

READING/ R: Northern lights

VOCABULARY V: Word building: adjectives ending in –able, -ful
11 B p.112-113
REVIEW

SPEAKING L:A scientist talking in planetarium

14
 S:Group work: Proposing solutions
11 B p.114
W:A letter expressing an opinion

WRITING ASSIGNMENT 2

12
GRAMMAR
23 12A p.119 G:Conditional sentence type 3

READING/ R: Oops! Accidental discoveries

VOCABULARY
V: exercice after reading text
12 A p.118-119
V: Match the words with meanings
12 A p. 120
V:Match phrases with definitions

SPEAKING / L:People talking in 6 different situations

LISTENING
S: I wish I were… Being sympathetic & encouraging
12A p.121
L:Listen to a rasio programme about identical twins
12A p.123

24 GRAMMAR G: Wishes and Unreal Past

12 A p.120

READING/ R:A coincidence

VOCABULARY
V: Exercices after reading text
12 B p.122-123
V: Match the meaning of isioms
REVIEW

SPEAKING / WRITING S: Asking for advice / Give advice

W:An informal email III

13 25 QUIZ 6 REVIEW 1-6

FINAL REVIEW

26 FINAL REVIEW REVIEW 7-12

14 27 PROJECT PROJECT PRESENTATION

28 PROJECT PROJECT PRESENTATION

15
15 29 FEEDBACK SESSION Project feedback

30 FEEDBACK SESSION Project feedback

16