EFS 688/688V - STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Listening and Discussion - Section 3

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Course Description

EFS 688/688V: Listening and Discussion
Summer 2010
Room 300-303
Section 3: TF 1:15-3:05
Course website: www.stanford.edu/~efs/688LD3  

Introduction.  This course, part of the EFS 688/688A/688V intensive English program, incorporates a blend of two skill areas: listening and small group discussion.  The purpose of the listening portion of the class is to help you increase your ability to understand both formal and informal varieties of English and to retain what you have understood, build your skills at processing rapid speech, and increase your knowledge of words and phrases commonly encountered in academic listening settings.  Although the focus will be on English for academic purposes, there will also be listening practice activities in other areas, including some work on listening to conversational English and listening to entertainment media. The discussion portion focuses on the development of the skills needed to participate effectively in both formal groups (such as classes) and informal groups (such as research lab or study groups).

Classwork.  Classes (Tuesdays and Fridays, 1:15-3:05) will involve a variety of exercises and some discussion of key elements of the grammatical and sound systems of English.  You will listen to lectures and other spoken material on tape, DVD and the web. Given the close relationship of listening and speaking, you will be expected to participate actively in class discussions built on the material listened to. There will also be specific attention to learning the language, culture and strategies for participating appropriately in discussions.

Lectures. The EFS 688/688A/688V program includes two lectures per week: Tuesday mornings at 11:00 and Friday afternoons at 3:15. Attendance at all lectures is required, and you are expected to be attentive, try to understand as much as possible, take notes, and prepare any follow-up materials. We anticipate that most or all of these lectures will be available online within a day after the presentation, so you will have the online version for review.

Homework.  In addition to the two live lectures per week, there will be regular assignments to listen to online material. This will allow us to spend more class time speaking. There will additionally be some short readings, to prepare for listening and/or discussion activities.

Materials. There is no textbook or course reader for the class: I will provide you with links on the Web or printed handouts for class materials you may need. Please be sure you have access to computer facilities that allow printing in case you need to bring hard copies of online material to class.

Schedule of topics.

Week 1: Introduction to listening; introduction to academic listening; introduction to small group discussions

Week 2: Preparation for listening; focusing on lecture introductions; presenting supported opinions

Week 3: Discourse markers; note taking; active listening/clarifying/confirming

Week 4: Agreeing and disagreeing; interrupting; techniques for reviewing recorded material

Week 5: Leading and cooperating in discussions; linking your contribution to others; listening to educational materials

Week 6: Final discussions; listening wrapup; final listening exam

Requirements. In order to receive credit for this portion of the 688/688V course, you must attend at least 90% of the classes, complete all computer and other homework assignments, participate actively, and demonstrate clear improvement in proficiency for listening and discussion.

DISABILITY NOTICE: Students who have a disability which may necessitate an academic accommodation or the use of auxiliary aids and services in a class, must initiate the request with the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC), located within the Office of Accessible Education (OAE).  The SDRC will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend appropriate accommodations, and prepare a verification letter dated in the current academic term in which the request is being made.  Please contact the SDRC as soon as possible; timely notice is needed to arrange for appropriate accommodations.  The Office of Accessible Education is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk (phone: 723-1066; TDD: 725-1067).