Syllabus for Conversation VIII (Semester VIII)

Professor: Jaime Rincón Ramírez

Listening/Speaking & Reading/Writing in English

Textbook: Mosaic 2 Listening/Speaking

Block IV.

IV. Aesthetics and Beauty

A. Building Background Knowledge (Part 1)

1. Did You Know?

2. What Do You Think?

3. Sharing Your Experience: Discussing Elements of Aesthetics

4. Vocabulary Preview: Determining Meaning from Context

B. Cohesion and Reference (Part 2)

1. Strategy: Using Reference to Create Cohesion

2. Strategy: Avoiding Ambiguity and Confusion When Using Reference Words

3. Before You Listen: Considering the Topic

4. Listen: Listening for the Gist and the Most Important Points

5. After You Listen: Discussing the Lecture

6. Talk it Over: Understanding and Using Reference Words

C. Admitting a Lack of Knowledge (Part 3)

1. Strategy: Admitting a Lack of Knowledge in Formal and Informal situations

2. Talk It Over: Using Formal Expressions to Admit a Lack of Knowledge

D. Focus on Testing (Part 4)

1. Comprehension Questions with Multiple Answers

2. Self-Assessment Log
Block V

V. Transitions

A. Building Background Knowledge (Part 1)

1.Did You Know?

2. Sharing Your Experience: Recalling Transitions

3. Vocabulary Preview: Vocabulary in Context

B. Figurative Language (Part 2)

1. Strategy: Understanding and Using Figurative Language

2. Before You Listen: Considering the Topic

3. Listen: Listening for Figurative Language

4. After You Listen: Deciphering the Meaning of Analogies and Metaphors

C. "Telling It Like It Is" (Part 3)

1. Strategy: "Telling It Like It Is" Politely

2. Talk It Over: Role-Playing "Telling It Like It Is"

D. Focus on Testing (Part 4)

1. Classification Questions

2. Self-Assessment Log

Block VI

VI. The Mind

A. Building Background Knowledge (Part 1)

1. Did You Know?

2. What Do You Think?

3. Sharing Your Experience: Talking About Dreams

4.Vocabulary Preview: Sharing Definitions

B. Comparison and Contrast (Part 2)

1. Strategy: Understanding and Using Comparison and Contrast

2. Before You Listen: Considering the Topic

3. Listen: Listening for Comparison and Contrast

4. After You Listen: Comparing Responses

5. Talk It Over: Comparing and Contrasting Dreams

C. Expressing the Positive View (Part 3)

1. Strategy: "Looking at the Bright Side"

2. Talk It Over: Debating as Optimists and Pessimists

D. Focus on Testing (Part 4)

1. Varying of Question Types on Real Tests

2. Self-Assessment Log