Seminars

On this page: Introduction | Homework Tasks | Assignment One | Books in CILL on Discussions

Introduction

• The Homework Tasks below contain more than 24 hours of self-study. Your classroom English teacher may suggest you do some of these for homework, or you could choose those that interest you.
• Some of the tasks listed below should be done in the Centre for Independent Language Learning (CILL), which is in Room AG305. You will need to join CILL by doing an orientation which takes about 20 to 30 minutes when the CILL teachers will explain to you how to use the centre effectively.
• It is a good idea to keep your work in a folder so that you can show it to your teacher if you have any questions, and for reference if you want a CILL attendance certificate. For this certificate you need to write a short essay detailing what you have learned.

Homework Tasks

On-line Homework:

1. You can do any of the homework tasks from Unit One - 'Studying at University' that you have not done yet.
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2. Diagnostic Grammar Test: find out your grammar problems and how to solve them - if you have a PolyU student ID, or else click here
• Do Test One, Section Two, and work on the problems that the test shows you have.
• The test has references to explanations and exercises in the grammar book English Grammar in Use, which you can find in CILL on the grammar shelf at intermediate level or in the library at PE1112 .M86 1994 (7 copies).
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3. Advanced Dictionary Skills (3 hours) - this site will teach you how to find the meaning of words faster, and teach you how to improve your vocabulary and pronunciation.
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4. Useful advice and phrases for discussions. Scroll down the page to Discussion Skills I.

CILL Homework:

1. You can study from any of the books in CILL about discussions.
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2. Thompson, I. (1993). Intonation Practice. HK: OUP. (Pronunciation Shelf, Early-intermediate Level) (3 hours).
   This book will help you make your speaking more interesting and natural by improving your intonation.
   Useful units in the book are:
   • Yes / No Questions, pages 22 - 31
   • Answering Yes / No Questions, pages 32 - 43
   • Giving Information, pages 48 - 60
   • Question tags, short questions, echo questions and short answers, pages 79 - 94.

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3. Listening practice and relaxation - Come to CILL and watch a video (e.g. a film). (1½ hours)
• Note down any vocabulary you don't understand.
• To understand this vocabulary:
  a. if you are using a video with captions in a group sitting area, turn on the captions and read the words, OR
  b. if you are using a video with a book, look up the words you don't understand, OR
  c. ask a CILL teacher to come and listen and tell you what the words are.
• Then:
  Discuss the film with your friends or classmates. This is practice for Assignment One, which is about academic discussions.

Assignment One

You can join the Speaking Assistance Program and come to A305 to practise your discussion skills with a teacher. Early booking is strongly advised due to the limited number of times available.

You can also watch English TV programs where people discuss things, too see the language and interaction strategies that they use.

Books in CILL on Discussions:

Links to other Units:

• Index of the EAP Homework pages
• Studying at University
• Seminars
• Researching and Writing Academic Essays
• Structuring Academic Writing
• Using Sources
• Expression and Style in Academic Writing
• Improving Your Academic Writing
• Giving Oral Presentations