Undergraduate

These intensive courses could be taught from 1 to 2 weeks. Each lecture would last about 2 hours. These lectures are interactive and student-centered, and are based on PowerPoint. They are supplemented with handouts and relevant videos. 

Introduction to Linguistics

This course is suitable for first year English majors. The topics include the origins of language, animal and human language, the development of writing, words and word formation processes, phonetics and phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, discourse analysis, language and the brain, first language acquisition, second language acquisition and learning, language history and change, language and regional variation, language and social variation, and language and culture.

English Vocabulary

This course will develop students’ knowledge of English words, the relationships among words, figurative language, and the word building processes in English. The course will also introduce students to strategies that will enhance their acquisition of English vocabulary. The following topics will be covered in the course: the range of English words,  word origins, denotation, connotation, synonyms, antonyms, collocations, American English, Australian English, Indian English, English dictionaries, vocabulary knowledge, and vocabulary learning strategies.

Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language

This course is meant for students who wish to become teachers of English.  It will provide a theoretical basis for teaching English as a second/foreign language with a discussion and analyses of various teaching methods. The course will also provide direct instruction on the teaching of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The topics covered are background issues in language learning, popular ELT methodologies, learners and learning contexts, mistakes and feedback, grouping students, educational technology, teaching grammar, teaching vocabulary, teaching pronunciation, teaching reading, teaching listening, teaching speaking, teaching writing, planning lessons, testing and evaluation, and learner autonomy.

Writing for the Workplace

This course will enhance students’ communication skills and job application skills and prepare them to write in the workplace. Students will receive hands-on training in writing memorandums, business letters, project proposals, Resumes, job application letters, and in making oral presentations and facing job interviews. 

For more information, please contact georgebraine@gmail.com