ESOL: Develop your speaking and listening skills (entry 3-level 1)

What is the course about?

This course will focus on your overall listening comprehension and your ability to hear the important words for meaning in both conversations and longer pieces of speech such as the radio, TV and films. You will learn how words link together so that two or three words can sound like one, how words which are joined together can sound differently from when they are said on their own, how certain words are pronounced differently depending on their use including whether they are stressed or not. By understanding and identifying how words are put together in spoken English, you will begin to recognise your mistakes and confusions and spoken English will become clearer to you.

What will we cover?

• identifying how spoken words are linked together
•hearing how linked words can sound different from when said individually
• hearing how words can sound different when stressed or unstressed
• hearing and identifying stressed words and syllables
• identifying key themes in longer pieces of spoken English e.g. songs, radio and TV programmes
• engaging in smooth fluent conversation.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• identify how spoken words are linked together
• identify and recognise how linked words can sound different from when said individually
• identify and recognise how words can sound different when stressed or unstressed
• identify and recognise stressed words and syllables in speech
• identify key themes in longer pieces of spoken English e.g. songs, radio and TV programmes
•engage in fluent short conversations.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course level is for ESOL entry 3-level 1 students (B1-B2). At this level you can engage in most everyday conversations. You know the basics of English but need to develop more sophisticated language and improve your vocabulary.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, some lined A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (entry 3 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (entry 3 reading and writing)
ESOL: Learn English and learn about London, its people and your rights (entry 3-level 1)
• Communication skills: how to speak with confidence inside and outside work (ESOL entry 3- level 1)
• Workplace communication skills: how to be confident and do well in interviews (ESOL entry 3-level 1)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 speaking and listening)
• ESOL - communication skills for life and work (level 1 reading and writing)
• Grammar in practice: intermediate (entry 3-level 1)

You can also do classes in the maths and digital skills areas.
For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.