OHS351 English for Competitive Examinations Syllabus:
OHS351 English for Competitive Examinations Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021
Course Description:
Students aspiring to take up competitive exams of which the English language is a vital component will find this course useful. Designed for students in the higher semesters, the course will help students to familiarise themselves with those aspects of English that are tested in these examinations.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To train the students in the language components essential to face competitive examinations both at the national (UPSC, Banking, Railway, Defence) and the international level (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
To enhance an awareness of the specific patterns in language testing and the respective skills to tackle verbal reasoning and verbal ability tests.
To inculcate effective practices in language-learning in order to improve accuracy in usage of grammar and coherence in writing.
To improve students’ confidence to express their ideas and opinions in formal contexts
To create awareness of accuracy and precision in communication
UNIT I
Orientation on different formats of competitive exams – Vocabulary – Verbal ability – Verbal reasoning – Exploring the world of words – Essential words – Meaning and their usage – Synonymsantonyms – Word substitution – Word analogy – Idioms and phrases – Commonly confused words – Spellings – Word expansion – New words in use.
UNIT II
Grammar – Sentence improvement –Sentence completion – Rearranging phrases into sentences – Error identification –Tenses – Prepositions – Adjectives – Adverbs – Subject-verb agreement – Voice – Reported speech – Articles – Clauses – Speech patterns.
UNIT III
Reading – Specific information and detail – Identifying main and supporting ideas – Speed reading techniques – Improving global reading skills – Linking ideas – Summarising – Understanding argument – Identifying opinion/attitude and making inferences – Critical reading.
UNIT IV
Writing – Pre-writing techniques – Mindmap – Describing pictures and facts – Paragraph structure – organising points – Rhetoric writing – Improving an answer – Drafting, writing and developing an argument – Focus on cohesion – Using cohesive devices –Analytic writing – Structure and types of essay – Mind maps – Structure of drafts, letters, memos, emails – Statements of Purpose – Structure, Content and Style.
UNIT V
Listening and Speaking – Contextual listening – Listening to instructions – Listening for specific information – Identifying detail, main ideas – Following signpost words – Stress, rhythm and intonation – Speaking to respond and elicit ideas – Guided speaking – Opening phrases – Interactive communication – Dysfluency -Sentence stress – Speaking on a topic – Giving opinions – Giving an oral presentation – Telling a story or a personal anecdote – Talking about oneself – Utterance – Speech acts- Brainstorming ideas – Group discussion.
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course, learners will be able
CO1 expand their vocabulary and gain practical techniques to read and comprehend a wide range of texts with the emphasis required
CO2 identify errors with precision and write with clarity and coherence
CO3 understand the importance of task fulfilment and the usage of task-appropriate vocabulary
CO4 communicate effectively in group discussions, presentations and interviews
CO5 write topic based essays with precision and accuracy
Teaching Methods:
Instructional methods will involve discussions, taking mock tests on various question papers – Objective, multiple-choice and descriptive. Peer evaluation, self-check on improvement and peer feedback – Practice sessions on speaking assessments, interview and discussion – Using multimedia.
Evaluative Pattern:
Internal Tests – 50%
End Semester Exam – 50%
TEXTBOOKS:
1. R.P.Bhatnagar – General English for Competitive Examinations. Macmillan India Limited, 2009.
REFERENCES:
1. Educational Testing Service – The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test, Tata McGraw Hill, 2010.
2. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, Tata McGraw Hill, 2010.
3. R Rajagopalan- General English for Competitive Examinations, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited, 2008.