Listening and Speaking

Requirements: Regular participation, homework and tests (1) Written Exam (50%) (2) Oral Exam (50%)

We recommend that students take this Listening and Speaking course before their period of residence in an English-speaking country.

This course aims firstly to familiarise students with naturally spoken English and a variety of accents, thereby improving listening comprehension skills; secondly we aim to improve students' own general speaking skills by encouraging students to adopt aspects of what they hear from the listening exercises into their own speaking.

Spoken language will be analysed in detail, especially those aspects which hinder comprehension e.g. contractions, linking, etc. The skills and knowledge practised and gained in Year 1 Pronunciation and Intonation will be further developed and refined. Students will also practise the rhetorical skills necessary in giving presentations and short talks. This part of the course should help students give better papers in other seminars. We shall also deal with grammatical problems as they occur. There will be two main tests: (1) a test in listening skills in the form of a written exam, and (2) a speaking test at the end of the semester.

Course materials will be made available at ca € 5.

Prerequisites: The SLS Pronunciation and Intonation course should have been passed.