ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC TEACHING PURPOSES
Tuesday & Thursday 4:15-5:45 p.m. Ülikooli 17-322
Instructor: ee.tu|relhu#relhU refinneJ
Phone: 737-6210
Course Website: eatp.jennu.net
Office: Õppeosakond (Ktri 2) Room 223
Office hours: By appointment
Course Description
The primary goal of this language course is to provide university teaching staff with numerous opportunities to develop effective communication skills in English in academic settings. During the next semester, you will work on listening and speaking skills and become more fluent and accurate in formal English, especially in terms of your ability to deliver lectures in English within the context of academic discourse. Through interactive tasks, observation assignments, topic-specific readings, and individual and group projects, you will develop an awareness of international student issues and academic discourse that will prove essential toward building confidence in spoken academic English. In addition, you will meet the instructor for a classroom visit, including pre- and post-observational conferences. Individual consultations will be included as a form of instructional support as well as part of the process of developing long-term self-improvement study plans for continued learning. We will primarily explore the appropriate use of English as it exists within the academic community; class time will be spent examining authentic language in context, particularly as it applies to participants’ experiences as English-speaking lecturers in the Estonian academic community.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will
- demonstrate increased confidence communicating in English, especially in academic settings;
- exhibit an awareness of systematic patterns (such as those of question-asking and answering, discussion building/leading, giving lectures and presentations, participating in small talk, etc.) of spoken academic and social English;
- actively apply new vocabulary knowledge and skills to academic discourse and independent language study;
- increase your understanding of international university campus cultures, international student expectations, and multicultural teaching;
- acquire a critical approach towards your previous, present, and future teaching practice;
- illustrate increased fluency and accuracy in oral/aural English;
- identify gaps and “trouble spots” in the areas of pronunciation, oral interaction, and listening comprehension; and
- develop pro-active habits of self-study beyond the parameters of our course.
Classroom Activities
The content for this course will be explored within the context of the international academic community. You will participate in daily communicative tasks, including structured listening and response activities, small and large group discussions, lecturettes, and presentations. The course materials will be developed from your own personal experiences and needs, UT courses, audio/video clips of lectures, English-media news broadcasts, interaction with native speakers, and topic-specific readings. Activities and major assignments will be designed in conjunction with your academic areas of interest as much as possible.
Course Assignments
Classroom Policies
Participation: Active participation is highly encouraged. Questions, opinions, and ideas are welcomed and encouraged, and the respect and support of your peers in classroom discourse is expected.
Course Website: We will actively use a course website located at eatp.jennu.net to communicate about course assignments and activities. Please mark the course website in your browser so you can monitor the page frequently.
Assessment
Active class participation and completion of all assignments is an integral part of successful completion of this course. Please avoid missing classes; the presence and participation of all class members enhance and ensure the best possible learning experience for all of us. If you know you are going to be absent from a class, please let me know ahead of time. Overall course evaluation will be based on the following:
- Successful completion of assignments
- Demonstrated progress in accuracy and fluency
- Active class participation and thorough class preparation
Participants who prepare the required materials for class and attend 75% course hours will receive a certificate of completion recognizing your time and the types of activities covered.
