Oral English in Theory and Practice

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

In addition to general entry requirements, i.e. Swedish 3/Swedish as second language 3/TISUS and English 6/English level 2/IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 580 in all parts, the following is required for admission to the course: completed introductory course in English 1-30 credits or the equivalent, and completed intermediate course 31-60 credits or the equivalent.

The course is aimed at future teachers of English and focuses on the development of the course participants' oral language proficiency in English. The proficiency training mainly consists of conversation exercises that take their starting point in theoretical texts about phonetics and pronunciation in English from a didactic perspective. The students partly practice reading and using phonetic transcription themselves, partly transforming their theoretical knowledge into concrete teaching situations. The course also gives an introduction to important standard varieties of English.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe, analyse and explain central properties in the pronunciation structure of the English language from a contrastive perspective using linguistic terms and concepts;

Competence and skills

• speak and converse in English using good pronunciation and avoiding elementary errors and give an oral presentation in front of a group of other students;
• with the help of aids, read and produce elementary transcription;
• correct and explain some typical pronunciation and intonation errors in students at different levels;
• on the basis of relevant didactic considerations present and carry out a lesson plan within phonetics and pronunciation;

Judgement and approach

• understand the background of typical pronunciation and intonation errors in students at different levels.

The course is given as a distance course with a compulsory introduction meeting on campus. The teaching is conducted through recorded lectures as well as seminars and group work on the virtual learning platform.

Language of instruction: English and Swedish

The course is assessed through a written examination, a recording and an oral presentation.

A student who has failed a course item is eligible for a retake exam/assignment. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has completed an exam/assignment with a passing grade is not eligible for a retake for the purpose of receiving a higher grade. Nor may a student withdraw a test/assignment once it has been submitted for the purpose of avoiding receiving a grade for the work.

A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).

If the course has been discontinued or substantially revised, a student should be guaranteed to sit the examination on at least three occasions (including the ordinary examination occasion) during a period of at least one year based on the previous course structure. As regards internships/placement the same as above applies, with the exception that examination is offered on only one occasion.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To obtain the grade of Pass with distinction on the whole course, the student must have been awarded this grade on the pronunciation test and on the oral presentation.

The students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

Equality aspects should be taken into consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.