Syllabus

EFS 693B

Listening and Communication: Fall 2005

Mondays & Wednesdays 3:15-4:30

200-219

Instructor: Phil Hubbard 725-1557

300-212 efs@stanford.edu

Course website www.stanford.edu/~efs/693b

Introduction.

EFS 693B is for two groups: 1) students who have taken or were exempted from EFS 693A and who require or want additional instruction and practice in listening to spoken English; 2) students who want some opportunity to work on speaking and listening simultaneously. The course materials reflect both academic and non-academic language, but with more emphasis on the latter. In particular, we will be looking to significantly improve your ability to understand English language radio, TV, and movies. Note that we will use the Web for practice in all these areas.

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. We will often converse about the content and interpretation of what we listen to in order to build discussion skills and fluency.

Homework includes weekly computer-based exercises 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 three 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. 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 with unknown words.

Part 1: Listening basics

What is listening?

Sound system review

Understanding different 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 TV comedies

Listening to movies

Listening to TV talk shows

Listening to TV drama

DISABILITY NOTICE: Students who have a disability that may necessitate an academic accommodation or the use of auxiliary aids and services in a class must first request assistance with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC 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 made. Please contact the DRC as soon as possible; timely notice is needed to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Last modified: Wednesday, January 2, 2002, by Phil Hubbard