English Proficiency Course (EPC)

Semester and Year Offered: Sem 1|Year One

Course Coordinator and Team: Monishita Hajra Pande and CELE team

Email of course coordinator: monishita[at]aud[dot]ac[dot]in, ipshita[at]aud[dot]ac[dot]in, nupur[at]aud[dot]ac[dot]in, krishnakdixit[at]aud[dot]ac[dot]in

Pre-requisites: None

Aim: This course is designed to enhance the four language skills viz. listening, speaking, reading and writing (LSRW) of learners to strengthen their overall proficiency in English. The main objective of this course is to provide a rich linguistic environment in class which will allow students to adequately practice a range of language functions simulating real life situations. This in turn is expected to help learners to function confidently in social spheres, both in familiar and unfamiliar environments. During the course learners will practice language items through interesting tasks, worksheets and activities around various language functions.

Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate oral skills to take part in simple everyday conversations in informal contexts

1. Read and listen to simple texts and exhibit comprehension skills and knowledge of basic vocabulary
2. Work in pairs and groups, take various roles for group work and effectively communicate with group members and present ideas on commonly agreed themes
3. Write short text messages, emails and descriptive paragraphs about everyday life and surroundings
4. Work independently and collaboratively outside the classroom to improve one’s overall language proficiency

Brief description of modules/ Main modules:

The course is transacted by focusing on the following language functions:

• Introducing oneself and others in varying social contexts
• Describing people and places
• Taking about likes, dislikes, pastimes and hobbies
• Asking for information and giving information
• Giving opinions, making and accepting invitations and excuses
• Giving directions
• Making plans for future and predicting future
• Making a wish and expressing hope
• Narration (talking about past events in the context of vacation, childhood days and narrating scary experiences)

Students will also read texts of different types (notices, advertisements, simple descriptions, news reports and short passages) to get relevant information by skimming and scanning. They will also be exposed to the importance of Pre-reading and Post-reading strategies. They will also be able to infer ideas and meanings from the context; write short messages, notes, paragraphs and emails.

Various language functions (as mentioned above) are practiced through different themes. Among other themes, the following may be explored for language practice:

• Friends and family
• University life
• Food and Culture
• Travel and leisure
• Contemporary issues
• Media - print, electronic, social media

The above themes will serve as modules for the course. A range of tasks and activities will be incorporated to develop language skills.

Assessment Details with weights:

All assessment exercises and schedule are subject to change; students will be shared the updated schedule and will be informed of any changes in time.

Reading List:

Material for this course will be drawn from a range of language teaching resources (such as New Interchange, Language in Use, Speak Well, More grammar games, Real reading, Active Grammar etc.) which will be given at the beginning of the course. Additional worksheets will be given in class to practice various language skills (LSRW) through tasks and activities covering the above language functions. Interactive language activities such as simulation tasks, pair work, group discussions, language games, poster presentations etc. will be an integral part of this course.