Course Name: Comprehension and Communication Skills in English

Code(Credit) : ASEL1101(1-1-0)

Course Outcomes

Upon completing the course, students will

MODULE 1 

• Comprehension and communication skills
• War minus shooting Comprehension
• Synonyms, antonyms
• Words often confused
• A dilemma – a Layman looks at Science Reading Comprehension
• Homonyms, homograph and homonym
• Spoken English and Broken English, Reading Comprehension

MODULE 2

• Functional grammar agreement of verb with subject
• Business correspondence, Personal Correspondence
• E-mail writing
• Reports writing
• Career communication: cover and job acceptance letter
• Career Communication

MODULE 3

• Persuasive speaking and oral presentation
• Facing an interview
• Group discussions-1
• Group discussions 2

Session- 1 :

Comprehension and communication skills- Introductory Ice breakers

ICE BREAKERS :

There are many types of ice breakers, each suited to different types of objectives. Here we look at a few of the more popular types and how they can be used to build the confidence of the students.

These are used to introduce participants to each other and to facilitate conversation among them.

Wordless Acting

Nonverbal communication is one of the trickiest skills to develop. After all, so much of how we communicate with our face and bodies is subconscious. This activity forces participants to communicate lines in a script with body language. It will bring awareness to participants about how important and effective simple gestures and expressions can be in conveying a very specific message.

• True or false: Students will be asked your participants to introduce themselves and make three or four statements about themselves, one of which is false. Now get the rest of the group to vote on which fact is
• As well as getting to know each other as individuals, this exercise helps to start interaction within the
• Interviews: Students will be asked to get into twos. Each person then interviews his or her partner for a set time while paired up. When the group reconvenes, each person introduces their interviewee to the rest of the
• Problem Solvers: Students will be asked to work in small groups. Create a simple problem scenario for them to work on in a short Once the group has analyzed the problem and prepared their feedback, ask each group, in turn, to present their analysis and solutions to the wider group.

Task: https://teacherblog.ef.com/great-esl-icebreakers-and-warmups/

PPT :  https://www.slideshare.net/liviadob/ice-breaking-games-for-students

Session- 2 :

War minus shooting Comprehension

In a reading comprehension activity, students will typically engage in the following steps:

1. Pre-reading: 
2. Reading: 
3. Comprehension Questions: 
4. Finding Evidence: 
5. Critical Thinking: 
6. Vocabulary Development: 
7. Reflection and Discussion: 

Overall, reading comprehension activities aim to enhance students' reading skills, promote critical thinking, and develop their ability to extract meaning from written texts.

Reading of the passage and Interaction with the summary and vocabulary of the passage    GSKumar, (CCE), pp. 1-3

https://issuu.com/michelehagerfargo/docs/war_minus_shooting_the_sporting_spirit_by_george_o

https://www.aisectuniversityjharkhand.ac.in/PDFDoc/StudyNotes/B.Sc%20Agri/Sem%201/Communication-Skills%20(B.Sc%20Agriculture)%20sem1.pdf

ppt: https://www.slideshare.net/somanath553/war-minus-shooting-the-sporting-spirit

Video link  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uawrtZZb_uk

Session- 3 :

Antonyms and Synonyms (Online and Offline quiz)

Antonyms and synonyms activities help students develop their vocabulary skills, improve their reading comprehension, and enhance their overall language proficiency. They encourage students to think critically about word meanings and make connections between different words and concepts.

Link : http://www.englishmaven.org/Pages/Synonyms%20and%20Antonyms.htm

https://www.turtlediary.com/quizzes/antonyms-synonyms.html

Session- 4 :

Words often confused (Online and offline Quiz)

1. Application Exercises: Students will engage in exercises that require them to choose the correct word from the confusing pair or group, complete sentences with the appropriate word, or identify errors in sentences. These activities reinforce their understanding and help them practice using the words accurately.
2. Review and Discussion: The teacher may review the activity, provide feedback on students' responses, and address any misconceptions or questions. There may also be discussions about common mistakes and strategies for avoiding confusion between similar words.

Confusing words activities help students enhance their vocabulary, improve their written and spoken communication, and develop a deeper understanding of the nuances of the English language. By focusing on the differences in meaning, spelling, and pronunciation, students can build their language skills and avoid common mistakes in word usage.

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=commonly-confused-

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/commonly-confused-words/

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh2SJiKfMrc

Session- 5 :

A dilemma – a Layman looks at Science reading Comprehension

The students will be divided into groups for this task.

By incorporating group work into reading comprehension exercises, students can benefit from diverse perspectives, shared insights, and collaborative problem-solving. It also helps foster communication skills, critical thinking, and active engagement with the text.

http://soujanyakodali22.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-dilemma-layman-looks-at-science.html

Video Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8--Mr_MCEFA

Session- 6 :

Homonyms, homographs and homonyms

In activities focused on homonyms, homophones, and homographs, students will  engage in the following tasks:

Link :https://www.dictionary.com/e/homograph-vs-homophone-vs-homonym/

Video Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_7FR59AKmQ

Session- 7 :

Spoken English and Broken English, Reading Comprehension

Here are some exercises for reading comprehension on the topic of spoken English and broken English:

Exercise 1: Passage Comprehension

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks Fill in the blanks with appropriate words related to spoken English or broken English.

Exercise 3: True or False Read the following statements about spoken English and broken English and determine if they are true or false.

https://www.educsector.com/2021/05/spoken-english-and-broken-english-gb_22.html

Session- 8:

Functional grammar agreement of verb with subject:

Subject-verb agreement means that a subject and its verb must be both singular or plural:

• A singular subject takes a singular verb
• A plural subject takes a plural verb

When working on tasks related to subject-verb agreement, students can engage in the following activities:

Identify Subject-Verb Agreement: Students will be provided with sentences that contain subject-verb agreement errors. They will identify and underline the subject and verb in each sentence, and then determine if they agree in number (singular or plural).

Correcting Errors: Students are presented with sentences that have subject-verb agreement errors. They will rewrite the sentences, ensuring that the subject and verb agree in number.

Sentence Completion: Students will be provided with incomplete sentences, and asked to fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb form that agrees with the subject.

Multiple Choice Questions: Students will be given a set of sentences with options for the correct verb form. They need to choose the verb that agrees with the subject in each sentence.

https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp

https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/modulesvagr.htm

PPT : https://www.slideshare.net/draizelle_sexon/subject-verb-agreement-14050826

Session- 9:

Business Correspondence, Personal Correspondence

Students will be given the following tasks to improve their business communication

• Business Letter Writing
• Role-Play
• Editing and Proofreading
• Business Report Writing

Exercise: Draft a formal business letter to a supplier, requesting a price quote for specific products or services. Clearly state your requirements and provide all necessary details.

Exercise: Write a business letter to a customer who has expressed dissatisfaction with a product or service. Address their concerns, apologize if necessary, and propose a resolution.

Role Play

Exercise: Students will be divided into pairs or small groups and assigned different roles, such as a customer and a salesperson, a manager and an employee, or a client and a service provider. They will be provided with a scenario where they need to communicate through written channels, such as emails or chat messages. Then they will be asked to role-play the communication exchange, keeping in mind their assigned roles and the objectives of the scenario.

Exercise: Students will be assigned different scenarios where they need to communicate with individuals from different cultural backgrounds or industries. They will be asked to research and understand the cultural norms and expectations of their assigned audience and adapt their communication style accordingly. This exercise promotes cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt communication for diverse audiences.

https://www.slideshare.net/CharaSumayao/business-correspondence-64567480

https://www.slideshare.net/mkvl/personal-and-professional-correspondence

https://www.founderjar.com/business-correspondence/

Session- 10:

E-mail writing (Workshop Mode)

Contents:

• Characteristics of Successful Email Messages
• Email Format
• Email Writing Strategies

Exercise: Email Etiquette Task: A list of email scenarios, such as responding to a customer complaint, requesting a meeting with a supervisor, or expressing appreciation for a colleague's help will be given. Students will be asked to draft appropriate email responses while adhering to proper email etiquette, including appropriate salutations, greetings, and signatures.

Exercise: Politeness and Professionalism Task: Students will be provided with a series of emails containing rude or unprofessional language. Ask them to rewrite the emails, replacing inappropriate language with polite and professional alternatives. The impact of respectful and courteous language in business communication will be discussed.

Exercise: Editing and Proofreading Task: Students will be provided with a sample email containing grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or unclear phrasing. They will be asked to identify and correct the errors, ensuring that the email is clear, error-free, and professional. Emphasize the importance of proofreading before sending any email.

https://byjus.com/english/email-writing/

PPT :  https://www.slideshare.net/ShagunRathore1/email-writing-244656415

Session- 11:

Reports writing: The students will write a report on a recent event or activity (e.g, Kisan Mela, Field visit, Agriculture Unit) and present in the class.

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-report/

https://www.slideshare.net/tulikapaul524/report-writingtypes-format-structure-and-relevance

Session- 12:

Career communication: cover and job acceptance letter

Task 1: Tailoring a Cover Letter Objective: Practice tailoring a cover letter to a specific job opportunity.

Students will read a job post or description from a company.

Research the company and job requirements thoroughly.

Students will draft a cover letter tailored specifically to that job opportunity, highlighting their relevant skills, experiences and qualifications.

Students will demonstrate their understanding of the company and align their cover letter with the company's values and needs.

Facilitators provide feedback on the students' cover letters, focusing on the degree of customization, clarity of message, and alignment with the job requirements.

Task 2 : Write a job acceptance letter addressed to the hiring manager or the person who extended the job offer.

https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/starting-new-job/job-offer-acceptance-letter

Video link : https://www.slideshare.net/LeonieHall1/no-experience-cover-letter-sample?next_slideshow=60219177

Session- 13:

Career Communication-CV Writing

Students will be assigned the task of designing their own CV. They need to go through the following process-

Gathering Information, Analyzing Job Requirements,Tailoring & Structuring the CV,Writing a Compelling Summary,Describing Work Experience,Showcasing Skills and Achievements, Formatting and Design,Proofreading and Editing

https://www.theasianschool.net/blog/how-to-improve-effective-communication-skills-in-students/

ppt : https://www.slideshare.net/GodKnowsBest/employment-communication

Session- 14:

Persuasive speaking & oral presentation

The students will be given the links for listening to TED Talks/JOSH Talks and asked to take notes. At the end of the activity, the students will make a presentation to the class.

TED TALKS- Useful video links (Time: 10-15 min. )

https://www.ted.com/topics/agriculture

https://www.ted.com/topics/advertising

https://www.ted.com/topics/communication

https://www.ted.com/topics/climate+change

JOSH TALKS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVmAnc-Wh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94dYPpJO3Yo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsPPDHynuLk

https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/11-2-persuasive-speaking/

https://www.slideshare.net/marykateorzolek/persuasive-speaking-54923712

Session- 15:

Facing an interview

Mock Job Interview Exercise

Students will be provided with a list of common interview questions typically asked during job interviews. Include questions related to the job position, their skills and qualifications, their experience, and their future goals.

The Mock PI will be conducted with the students in the first phase

1. Students will be instructed playing the role of interviewers to prepare a set of interview questions and to create a professional and realistic interview environment.
2. Students will be instructed playing the role of interviewees to research the job position, review their own qualifications and experiences, and prepare responses to common interview questions.
3. Conduct the mock interviews, allowing each student to experience both roles of interviewer and interviewee.
4. After each interview, provide constructive feedback to both the interviewer and the interviewee. Students will be provided feedback on their communication skills, body language, confidence, clarity of responses, and relevance to the job position.

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-face-an-interview-confidently/

https://www.themuse.com/advice/interview-questions-and-answers

https://www.slideshare.net/ShashankShekhar97/facing-an-interview-54540674

Session- 16:

Group Discussion- 1 (Workshop Mode)

• Nature of Group Discussion
• Characteristics of Group Discussion Skills
• Selection Group Discussions
• Subject knowledge
• Oral communication skills
• Team management
• Group Discussion Strategies and

Practice: GD Practice

COMMON TOPICS

https://www.mbauniverse.com/group-discussion/topics

TOPICS ON AGRICULTURE

https://www.tutorialride.com/gd-on-business-and-economy/group-discussion-on-agriculture.htm

VIDEO LINK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Cq06fegI4

Session- 17:

Group Discussion- 2 (Lecture Mode)

Contents:

• Debate and GD
• Types of GD
• GD EtiquettE

Difference Between Debate and GD

https://www.javatpoint.com/difference-between-group-discussion-and-debate#:~:text=Group%20discussion%20is%20an%20analytical,a%20conclusion%20based%20on%20votes.

Types of GD

https://www.shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/what-are-different-types-of-group-discussion/

GD Etiquette

https://gdpi.hitbullseye.com/Group-Discussion-Etiquette.php

Video Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qymUH_pzPXc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNvAOrEIM8c