From academic essays, to internet discussion boards, to telephone calls, to emails, to interviews, to yellow sofa conversations--whatever medium we communicate in, we are using a particular genre. The words we choose, the grammar we use, the structure or our message--everything about our communication is influenced by genre conventions, by what others have said or written before us in that situation.
An important part of learning English is learning to use different genres. In this course, we will study a variety of genres of English--both spoken and written. We will decide as a class which genres to study based on learner interests and needs.
The course will be divided into genre units. For each genre we study, we will first work to uncover its features (structure, register, typical grammar patterns and vocabulary, pronunciation features, etc.) by analyzing authentic materials, and then practice working in the genre ourselves. Each unit will end with a final project for which learners will be asked to produce a “generic utterance” (a news broadcast, a discussion-board posting, a telephone conversation, etc.) either individually or in groups.
In this course, learners will acquire proficiency in genres that will help them succeed inside and outside the classroom. Learners will also develop analytical skills that they can continue to use as they encounter new genres in the future.
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