EFS 693B - STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Listening and Communication

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EFS 693B
Advanced Listening: Spring 2009
360-361A

Instructor:      Phil Hubbard   725-1557
                        260-302G        efs@stanford.edu
                        Course web     www.stanford.edu/~efs/693b

Introduction.        

EFS 693B is an advanced course in listening intended both as a followup to EFS 693A and as an independent opportunity for those who did not take 693A to work to improve their listening significantly. The course materials reflect both academic and non-academic language, but with more emphasis on the latter. We will be looking to increase your ability to understand and interpret English language media such as radio, TV, and movies, especially the Web versions of these.

Course Description.

The class will meet as a group twice a week. During this time we will discuss strategies for listening effectively, review the previous week's material and introduce new material for classroom practice and discussion, some of which will be completed independently in the following week. In addition, we will often converse about the content and interpretation of what we listen to in order to build discussion skills and fluency. Besides providing regular listening practice, a significant focus of the course is to help you become more efficient listeners and language learners through the application of specific techniques and strategies. Homework includes computer-based listening tasks and individual listening projects.

Individual Projects                                                                                                               

You will have an individual project (or projects) aimed at improving some specific area of your listening. You will report on this regularly through email and in class. You will also meet with me individually at least four times to discuss the individual projects and progress. Additional meetings may be arranged by mutual agreement.

Criteria for Passing.

EFS 693B is a 3-unit course offered on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis. Criteria for receiving the S (Satisfactory) grade include the following.

• 90% or better class attendance (i.e., you may miss no more than two classes)

• Active and cooperative participation in class activities

• Completion of all homework assignments: note that these assignments are expected to be handed in on time

• Completion of independent project assignments

• Completion of meetings with the instructor

Schedule of Topics

Below is a tentative schedule of topics for EFS 693B. Note that we may add or delete items from this as the course progresses

Part 1: Listening basics

What is listening?

Learning to listen

Sound system overview

Understanding accents and dialects

Part 2: Listening for information

Listening to lectures

Listening to TV news

Listening to radio news

Listening to science and history shows

Part 3: Listening for entertainment

Listening to movies

Listening to TV comedies and dramas

Listening to online videos (e.g., YouTube)

The general approach will be to take a particular domain for language and present one or more samples of it. Through those samples, we will discuss strategies for both comprehending the language of that domain more effectively and using practice in that area to improve overall listening proficiency. Behind all of these domains is one area to which you can--and should--devote significant attention: vocabulary. We will regularly work toward increasing both the size of your vocabulary and your ability to deal effectively with unknown words.

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).