Columbia College Chicago

600 S. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60605

Syllabus and Course Description

Oral Expression - ESL
52-1400-01
Spring 2008

Instructor: Terrie Byrne Classroom: 108 in Congress Bldg.

Office: 514, Congress Bldg Class day: Mon. and Wed.
Office Hours: Mon & Wed 2-3pm Class time: 12:30 – 1:50pm
Phone: 312/344-8125 tbyrne@colum.edu
(please ask to leave a message for me) Allow 24 hours for a response)

Required Materials:
• a portable audio recorder (not a cellphone)
• A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking by Hannah Rubenstein
• A notebook

Course Description and Objectives

Welcome to Oral Expression - ESL. This class is “ESL” because it is specifically designed for
non-native speakers of English. In addition to the topics typically covered in any Basic Public
Speaking class, this class will include “English as a Second Language” exercises to improve
pronunciation, expand conversational vocabulary and correct typical ESL grammar errors in
speech.

This course will help you overcome difficulties in public speaking by making you aware of
important speech elements and by practicing and delivering several speech types. It prepares
the you to overcome stage fright, while improving pronunciation and grammar use, body
language, and speech organization and delivery.

Basic Public Speaking fulfills General Education credit for Speech. By taking this course, you will
complete three (3) of the forty-eight (48) semester hours of General Education credit required for
graduation from Columbia College.

By the end of the semester, you will:

− Be more comfortable in public speaking situations
− Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your own speaking style
− Address these weaknesses and enhance your strengths
− Learn to effectively organize speeches
− Learn and practice a variety of speech styles
− Understand Discourse Analysis
− Be able to analyze and evaluate speeches

Writing Center 
You will need to practice your speeches with a native speaker who can help you with your
pronunciation and vocabulary. It is your responsibility to find ways to do this outside of class, and
the Writing Center is the best way to do this. You can not improve on your own and you can not
improve without practicing your speeches before coming to class. You can sign up at the Writing
Center for non-credit FREE tutoring sessions. Whether or not you use it, you are already paying
for it through your tuition, so why not get your full money’s worth from Columbia College?

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class you will lose points for your participation grade, for
any in-class assignments that we do that day, and any homework or speeches that are due that
day. You are allowed to miss two classes for emergencies such as illness or transportation
problems. If you miss four classes, your participation grade is lowered by 5 points. If you
miss five classes, your participation grade is lowered by 10 points. If you miss more than
five classes, for any reason, you will fail this course

NOTE : Every 15 minutes of missed class counts as ½ an absence. ARRIVE ON TIME!

If you do miss a class, you are responsible for finding out what we covered in class and
what you need to do to prepare for the next class. Read your syllabus for the deadlines for
assignments and call a classmate to find out what additional assignments were given. Absence
is not a legitimate excuse for being unprepared or for not turning in an assignment on time.
There is no way to make up a missed speech or quiz.

Time Management
All students are expected to devote enough time to their studies to do quality work. Allow at least
2 – 3 hours of study and practice each week. The required readings, speech outlines, visual aid
construction and speech practice all require time. If you wait until the last minute to complete
your assignments, and do not set aside time to PRACTICE your speeches, your grades will
suffer.

Plagiarism
Any student found using the work (any portion of the writings of another writer or student) without
giving credit to the source will receive a failing grade.

Participation and Preparation

You will receive a grade for your participation in and preparation for in-class activities. Missing
class or being late for class will lower this grade. Coming to class unprepared will lower your
participation and preparation grade. Not paying thoughtful attention to fellow classmates when
they give their speeches will absolutely lower your grade. The classroom is a place for learning
and everyone must contribute to an open, respectful environment. Any student who is
discourteous to another will be asked to leave and will fail the course.
Grades and Evaluation
To pass this course, you must complete all of the assigned work.
Final grades are calculated from the following points:

Homework (readings, write-ups) 10 points

Participation and Preparation 10 points
(quizzes audience participation, attendance)
6 “short speeches” (5 points each) 30 points
Team Presentation 10 points
Informative Speech 10 points
Creative Work Presentation (or Evaluation) 15 points
Persuasive Speech (with research) 15 points
Total Possible points: 100 points

Quizzes are given at the beginning of class. If you are late, you can not make up the
quiz. If you are absent for a quiz you can not make it up.

In cases of unavoidable absences, please email me to see if it is possible to reschedule

any assignments.

Semester Grades

A = 94-100 pts
A- = 90-93 pts
B+ = 87-89 pts
B = 83-86 pts
B- = 80-82 pts
C+ = 77-79 pts
C = 73-76 pts
C- = 70-72 pts
D = 65-69 pts
F = 64 pts or less
 Course Calendar

WEEK 1 1/28 Syllabus discussion/ classmate interview & introduction. Discussion of past speech
Experiences.

Homework: Buy textbook, send an email introducing yourself to

tbyrne@colum.edu, read the syllabus for quiz on Wed.

1/30 Quiz on syllabus. Discussion of discourse theory and speech anxiety, brainstorm
topic ideas for next week’s “Ten Things” short speech

Homework:
Read “Becoming a Public Speaker” (pgs 2 – 8) from your textbook for quiz on
Monday
Prepare “Ten Things” speech (storytelling speech #1)

WEEK 2 2/5 Quiz on reading assignment (discourse theory).

Present “Ten Things” Speech (Short Speech #1, 1-3 minutes, 5 pts)
Discuss overcoming stage fright and techniques for improving pronunciation.

Homework:
Choose and practice reading a poem or short excerpt from a famous speech to
read in class on Wednesday (must be 110 – 130 words long)

2/7 Analysis and workshop of your 1-minute reading,

WEEK 3 2/12 Recording and discussion of 60-second readings. Introduction to ChicagoSpeech

Wikispaces page (www.ChicagoSpeech.wikispaces.com). Discussion of
body language (Taylor Mali clips) and use of props.
Homework: Prepare Short Speech #2: using objects as props.

. 2/14 Present Short Speech #2 (2-3 minutes, 5 pts) Discussion of nonverbal language
Homework: Read “Using the Body” (pgs 135 – 139) for quiz on Monday
Observe nonverbal language of small group leaders (1 female and 1 male group)
Post description of your observations on wikispaces page (100-150 words long)
Bring a copy of this write-up to class Monday for discussion
WEEK 4 2/19 Discussion of body language homework and wikispaces experience.
Homework: Read pages 159-175 for a quiz. Develop ideas for your
Informative speech

2/21 Quiz on reading. Discuss Informative Speech topics and reading assignment.
Homework: Read pgs 82-108 for quiz on Monday

WEEK 5 2/26 Quiz on reading assignment. Lecture on using outlining and research to get the
facts straight. In class analysis of Informative speeches on YouTube.
Homework: Write “working outline” for Informative Speech

2/28 Informative Speech Outline workshop

Homework: Prepare Informative Speech “speaking outline” and practice
Informative Speech. Create and bring in 10 copies of Feedback sheet

WEEK 6 3/4 Informative Speech (4-6 minutes, 10 pts). You must use and hand in a
“Speaking Outline” (as note cards or a typed sheet). You must hand out
your own “Feedback” sheet to your audience before your speech.

3/6 Informative Speech continued.

Homework: Body Language experiment and short write-up.

WEEK 7 3/11 Turn in Body Language write-up. Discussion of experiment results.

Homework: Prepare and practice Short Speech #2 (How Not to do something)
3/13 Short Speech #3 (3-5 minutes, 5 pts)
Homework: Read pgs 110-124 for quiz on Monday

WEEK 8 3/18 Quiz on reading. Analysis of famous stirring speeches on YouTube

Homework: Prepare Short Speech #4 (Your passion/expertise)

. 3/20 Short Speech #4 (3-5 minutes, 5 pts)

Homework: Prepare and practice “Speaking outline” for Creative
Presentation/Evaluation Speech. Create Feedback sheet.

-- Spring Break --

WEEK 9 3/25 Creative Presentation/Evaluation Speech (5-7 minutes, 15 pts)

3/27 Creative Presentation/Evaluation Speech continued
Homework: read pgs 141-157 for PowerPoint practice

WEEK 10 4/1 Quiz on reading. Discussion of team presentation. PowerPoint practice.

Homework: Prepare and practice Short Speech #5

4/3 Short Speech #5 (3-5 minutes, 5 pts)

Homework: Join a team of 3-4 students, read pages 216-218

WEEK 11 4/8 Team presentation workshop. Designate team leader, assign roles and tasks. Post
these roles and task, along with ideas for speech topic (informative or persuasive)
on your team’s wikispaces page.
 4/10 Team presentation Progress Reports (can be all on wiki space or printed
out. Presentation workshop (share research, create outline and transitions)

WEEK 12 4/15 Short Speech #6 (3-5 minutes, 5 pts)

4/17 Evaluation of speech videos on our wikkispace, further posting on
team presentation pages of speech outline, props, intro and conclusion, etc)

WEEK 13 4/22 Evaluation of Persuasive speeches on YouTube, discussion of argument topics

you’d like to hear presented, continue adding to team presentation wikki page (final
decisions on speech outline, props, etc)
4/24 Team Presentations (15-20 minutes total, 5 pts for each team member)
Homework: read pages 151-169 (in our textbook/handout)

WEEK 14 4/29 Quiz on Logical fallacies (pg 159 in homework) Lecture and workshop on research
and avoiding plagiarism in persuasive speeches
Homework: Prepare research, props and working outline for final speech

5/1 Workshop outlines, props and research for persuasive speech

Homework: Prepare speaking outline and practice Persuasive Speech

WEEK 15 5/6 & 5/8 Present Persuasive Speech (6-8 minutes 20 pts)

How to use our wikispace:

First, if you haven’t already done this, join wikispaces. It’s free and you will not be put on any email or
spam lists. Go to http://www.wikispaces.com/ to create a username and password. (You do not
need to create a space name or a wikipage…just click “no” when it asks you.)

Next, go to http://chicagospeech.wikispaces.com/ . This is our home page with links to all our online
assignments. To read the directions for and complete one of the assignments, click on that link.

First, carefully read the instructions on the assignment page. Then, to post your answers:
• click on the word “discussion” at the top of that assignment page.
• In the next screen you’ll see a space were you can write your answers and type a subject
heading. (You don’t need to write anything for the “keywords” section).
• When you are done, click “post”
To go back to the assignment page: Click on the word “page” near the top of the screen
To read and respond to other student’s postings click on the word “discussion” near the top of the screen,
then click on the title of one of the postings listed on the discussion page. After you read the posting, type a
response in the box below the posting and click “post”