Approved by the decision of the meeting

of the department of Linguoculturology

dated to February 10, 2025 (Minute № 7)
Associate prof. V.E. Aghabeyli ___________

AZERBAIJAN UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES

Course syllabus

Spring 2025
Course title: Everyday English in Academic 2024 – 2025/VI
Conversation year/term:

Course hours: 60 hours Delivery mode: Face-to-face

Course credits: 5 Course instructor: senior teacher

Course level/Faculty Upper-intermediate/ Aynur Mammadova
English-French
languages
Groups: 327a, 325b Consultation hours On Friday from 10:30 a.m
till 11:30 a.m
Class time: 2 times a week
4 hours
Course supervisor: Ph.D., Assoc.Prof. Mahira Course instructor’s [email protected]
Hajiyeva email address

Course Outline
This is an upper-intermediate level course designed for 60 hours that focuses on
developing correctness and fluency in oral English. It is suitable for students who are able to
write decently and would like to work on English pronunciation and speaking skills. Each lesson
has a communicative aim which forces students to speak and understand what is spoken.
Students can both read and listen to English using the accompanying CD recording of every
lesson. There are expressions, idioms at the end of each lesson and exercises for students to
practice using the key phrases and idioms. There are a variety of different conversational topics
included in this book that are designed to help prepare students for different situations they may
encounter in daily life where they will interact with English speaking people. Students will
improve speaking skills through guided activities, presentations, research, and self-reflection,
and feedback on the English they currently speak. Students will produce large amounts of output
in order to achieve confidence and accuracy while speaking.
Course prerequisites

Students taking this course should have the language skills of level B2. This is the fourth level
of English in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Students starting this
course:
 can understand the main ideas of complex texts on concrete or abstract topics, including
some technical discussions.
 can express themselves fluently and spontaneously enough to comfortably communicate
with other English speakers.
 can produce clear, detailed text on many subjects and explain a complex viewpoint on a
topic, including expressing advantages and disadvantages.

Course Aims
This course aims at:
 enabling the learner to communicate effectively and appropriately in real life situations;
 developing learners’ ability to engage in conversations on the wing and in association
 encouraging students to consider the variety of ways in which we can communicate
through the spoken word.
 creating a relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom.
 giving practice of natural speaking and listening
 developing learners’ vocabulary of conversational skills
 developing learners’ confidence in spoken communication.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, students will be able to:
 Apply appropriate language structures, idioms, and conversational strategies to engage in
meaningful discussions across various social and professional contexts.
 Demonstrate improved self-awareness, confidence, and interpersonal skills in diverse
settings, including social interactions, public speaking, and professional environments.
 Critically evaluate traditional and modern practices, cultural customs, and global
perspectives to enhance cross-cultural understanding and adaptability.
 Analyze and discuss concepts such as confidence, fear, guilt, forgiveness, and happiness
in English, applying logical reasoning to personal and professional situations.
 Utilize practical speaking techniques to organize tasks, set priorities, and maintain a
balance between personal and professional responsibilities.
 Develop creative thinking and innovative problem-solving skills, applying them to
academic, personal, and professional endeavors.
 Examine global traditions, travel experiences, and intercultural communication strategies
to enhance interaction in diverse environments.
 Navigate real-world scenarios such as shopping, dining, traveling, and professional
interactions with confidence and appropriate etiquette.
 Integrate vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and topic-specific language into everyday
conversations, enhancing fluency and linguistic competence.
Assessment Procedures and Criteria
The grading standard is as follows:
The total of the student’s course grade is 100%.
Course Grading:
In-class activity: 30% of your course grade makes up from your in-class performance
(presenting homework, speaking on a given topic, listening and summarizing, listening and
answering questions, learning and using vocabulary, vocabulary comprehension exercises). Each
semester a student is supposed and needed to be graded at least with three marks in the official
class register.
Individual work: 10% of the grade is given for your individual work.
Attendance: 10% is awarded for attendance.
The final exam: 50% of the course grades makes up from your final exam.

Grading System:
The grading system follows a basic 1 – 10 scale, with “1” being the worst and “10” being
the most a student can get.
10 points for the students who can answer deeply, exactly and thoroughly;
9 points for the students who understand the material perfectly;
8 points for the students who make some common mistakes in their answers;
7 points for the students who understand the material well, but they can’t prove their problems;
6 points for the students whose answers are mainly correct;
5 points for the students who have some lacks in their answers and can’t explain the whole
meaning of the material;
4 points for the students whose answers are partially correct, but when explaining the material
there are some errors in their speech;
3 points for the students who are aware of the given material but cannot express their thoughts;
2-1 points for the students who have some ideas of the given material.

EVALUATION COMPONENTS

Midterm Exam:

In Week 8, students will take 1 midterm exam over this course. This test will be carried out to
check the understanding of the taught material, and will account for 10 % of their final grade. It
is an assignment that they are expected to fulfill within a given time frame (40 minutes).
Final Exam
At the end of the semester, students will take a Final Exam. The exam will cover all the material
taught over the session and will account for 50% of their total score. According to exam results a
student will receive the following grade:

91-100…………………”A”
81-90…………………..”B”
71-80…………………..”C”
61-70…………………..”D”
51-60…………………..”E”
less than 51 ……… ..…”F” (failed)
Attendance Expectations (for synchronous component)
According to AUL attendance policy, you should attend all classes. Students must achieve an
attendance rate of 75% and above in order to qualify for examinations. If you miss 25% of
classes for any reason, you are considered to have failed that particular class. Attendance
component is worth 10% of your final grade.

Participation expectations
Students’ responsibilities:

• Participating actively in all class activities;

• Following teacher’s instructions;
• Submitting assignments on time;
• Attending every lesson on time;
•Respecting the views and learning needs of other students;
•Consulting with the instructor about any problems in the course.
Students should listen carefully in class and take notes about what they are required to
complete for subsequent classes. It is inconsiderate to your fellow classmates and to your
instructor to come to the class unprepared.

Independent work

Each student should work at a presentation (pair or group work according to their choice
of the topic). The topics are related to the general topics in the book “Everyday English in
Conversation”. 10% of the grade is given for your individual work. Students may select a topic
from the list below or propose a topic of their own, provided it aligns with the general themes of
the course.
 The history of information exchange.
 Good manners across different countries.
 The most creative people in the world.
 Healthy lifestyles of celebrities.
 The most dominant currencies in the world.
 Customs and traditions of your favorite countries.
 The most memorable natural disasters of the 20th century.
 The importance of time in different cultures (monochronic vs. polychronic cultures).
 The language and culture of your favorite country.
 The most interesting festivals in the world.

Assessment rubric for student presentations

Score Description

10 Outstanding – The presentation is exceptional in all aspects. The content is thorough, highly
accurate, and relevant, demonstrating deep understanding and critical analysis. The
organization is flawless, with clear and logical flow. Delivery is confident, engaging, and
highly effective, with appropriate pace and strong audience interaction. Visual aids (if used)
enhance understanding, and creativity is shown. The student answers questions expertly.
9 Excellent – The presentation is of high quality, demonstrating a strong understanding of the
topic. Content is accurate and relevant, with good depth. The presentation is well-organized,
with a clear structure and engaging delivery. Visual aids are effective, and audience
engagement is achieved. Minor issues with timing or depth but otherwise well-executed.
8 Very Good – The presentation is solid, with mostly accurate and relevant content. The
organization is clear, but there may be minor weaknesses in delivery or engagement. Visual
aids are generally effective but could be improved. The student engages the audience,
though there may be a few lapses. A few small gaps in depth or clarity, but overall effective.
7 Good – The presentation is competent, but there are noticeable gaps in the content or
understanding. The structure is mostly clear, but the delivery lacks confidence or has minor
issues with pacing. Visual aids are used but are not fully effective or relevant. Audience
engagement is adequate but not outstanding.
6 Above Average – The presentation demonstrates a basic understanding, but lacks depth and
may contain inaccuracies. The organization is somewhat unclear, and the delivery is not
entirely confident or engaging. Visual aids, if used, are helpful but underutilized. The
presentation may be too short or too long, and audience engagement is limited.
5 Satisfactory – The presentation shows a basic grasp of the topic but with significant gaps or
inaccuracies. The organization is weak, and the delivery lacks clarity and confidence. Visual
aids may not be used effectively, and audience engagement is minimal. There may be issues
with timing, structure, or depth.
4 Needs Improvement – The presentation lacks depth, with weak content and major gaps in
understanding. The structure is poor, and the delivery is unclear, with little to no audience
engagement. Visual aids, if used, are ineffective or distracting. The student struggles to
engage with the material and the audience.
3 Fair – The presentation shows minimal understanding of the topic, with significant issues in
content, organization, and delivery. There is little to no effort to engage the audience, and
the delivery is unclear. Content may be incomplete or largely irrelevant. Visual aids are
poorly designed or not used.
2 Poor – The presentation has major flaws, including inaccuracies, poor organization, and
weak delivery. Content is largely irrelevant or incorrect, and visual aids are ineffective. The
presentation fails to engage the audience, and the student struggles with basic concepts.
1 Very Poor – The presentation is severely lacking in quality, with little understanding of the
topic and no clear structure. The delivery is hard to follow, and audience engagement is
nonexistent. There may be little to no use of visual aids or they are distracting. The student
fails to meet basic expectations.
0 No Presentation/Failure – No presentation was delivered, or the presentation failed
completely to meet any basic expectations or requirements.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

This course is taught using a variety of instructional methods:
• Inductive Teaching
• Direct Instructions
• Questioning and Response
• Cooperative Learning
 Presentations: Students will be required to deliver formal presentations. Please sign up
for a presentation time and schedule a meeting with the instructor to discuss your topic at
least one week before your presentation.
 Input/Practice: Course assignments will include activities such as note-taking,
summarizing, tests, and quizzes.
 Group Work and Assignments: The primary focus will be on speaking and listening.
Reading will also be incorporated as necessary. Writing tasks may be assigned as
homework.

Learning Support
 If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or other aspects of the
course, make sure you let your instructor know as early as possible. Make sure that you are
informing your instructor when difficulties arise during the semester so that we can help you find
a solution.
Disclaimer
This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the class. Changes will be announced
during class meetings.

Required Resources (Electronic/Downloads/Supplementary)

The following required course e-books, as well as class schedule and syllabus are posted
by the instructor.
 1. Gaziyeva M.Y; Aliyeva I.Z; Zairova T.D Everyday English in Conversation, Baki,
Nargiz PH, 2015.
 Gozalova Nargiz. Everyday English Activity Book. Baku: 2020.

Supplementary Online Learning Resources:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
 https://www.ted.com/talks
 https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/education-resources/

Course evaluation/Student feedback:

Colleges and universities run timely course evaluations to understand the problems faced by
students and to gather their feedback on the courses. The feedback they receive directly from
students is used to make adjustments to the course to improve it.
Course evaluation surveys cover various aspects of the course, like the course structure,
professor feedback, course material feedback, teaching aids, etc. Based on this data, faculty
members can enhance their teaching skills, and the university improves the quality of education.
You are requested to give your frank and objective feedback on anonymous survey at the end
of the term. It will help us to improve and maintain the quality of teaching. Your response will
be kept confidential.
For course evaluation and student feedback, please reach out to the following email address:
[email protected]

Course Content
Tentative Course Schedule (This schedule may be changed to benefit the students)

EVERYDAY ENGLISH IN CONVERSATION, SPRING, 2025

 Total: 60hours
Week Lesson1. Introduction (Overview of the course syllabus, grading,
One and expectations. Discussion of basic course requirements with the
instructor).
Make a good impression. (Dress, Hygiene, Speech, Be on Time, Be
Open and Confident) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the
Topic. (2hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will familiarize themselves with the course
structure and expectations, develop vocabulary and expressions
related to self-presentation, practice using appropriate greetings and
introductions, and improve spoken fluency in social interactions.
Lesson 2. Old and New. (DVD and Video, Mobile Phones and
Landlines, Paper Maps and GPS) Idioms, Activities, Video
Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn comparative structures and key
vocabulary related to technology, practice discussing advantages and
disadvantages, and develop listening skills through video materials.
Week Lesson 3. Being Confident. (How to Improve Self-Confident?
Two Reasons to be Confident) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about
the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary related to
confidence and self-improvement, practice expressing opinions on
personal strengths, and develop pronunciation skills through
speaking activities.
Lesson 4. Pros and Cons. (The Meaning of Pros and Cons; Pros
and Cons of Studying Abroad) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials
about the Topic (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice structuring arguments using
linking words and improve their ability to articulate pros and cons in
discussions.
Week Lesson 5. Getting to Know Each Other. (The Best Ways of
Three Getting to Know Each Other; How to Start Communication) Idioms,
Activities, Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will improve conversational skills by
practicing question formation, using small talk phrases, and
engaging in role-play activities to simulate real-life interactions.
Lesson 6. To be Guilty. (Why do We Feel Guilty; Reasons of Being
 Guilty; Dealing with Feeling Guilty) Idioms, Activities, Video
Materials about the Topic. Lesson, Video Materials about the Topic.
(2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn vocabulary and idiomatic
expressions related to guilt and emotions, practice expressing
feelings in past and present contexts, and develop listening
comprehension skills through dialogues.
Week Lesson 7. Finding Time. (Tips to Manage Time; How to Find Time
Four for Everything) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the Topic.
(2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice discussing schedules and
routines using time expressions and improve their ability to describe
priorities.
Lesson 8. To be Creative. (What is Creativity; Is Creativity Good
or Bad) Idioms, Activities Lesson, Video Materials about the Topic.
(2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand vocabulary related to creativity,
creative thinking, exploring various modes of expressing and solving
problems innovatively.
Week Lesson 9. Forgiveness. (What is Forgiveness; The Act of
Five Forgiveness; When it is Hard to Forgive) Idioms, Activities, Video
Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn expressions for apologizing and
forgiving, practice role-playing real-life apology situations, and
improve listening comprehension with dialogues about conflict
resolution.
Lesson 10. Fear. (Causes of Fear; Dealing with Fear; How to
Overcome the Greatest Fear) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials
about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will develop vocabulary related to fear and
anxiety, practice using modals of advice and improve fluency
through storytelling activities.
Week Lesson 11. How to be Happy. (What/Who Makes a Person
Six Happy/Unhappy) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the
Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn words and phrases related to
happiness, practice forming complex sentences to express emotions,
 and improve listening skills with motivational speeches.
Lesson 12. The Key to Success. (How to Become More Successful;
Reasons for Being Successful. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary on success and
ambition, practice using future tenses to discuss aspirations, and
engage in activities to talk about personal goals.
Week Lesson 13. How to Have Good Manners. (Why are Manners
Seven Important; The Best Way to Teach Manners) Idioms, Activities,
Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn formal and informal expressions
for polite interactions, practice using words and expressions for
requests and permissions, and role-play social situations.
Lesson 14. Midterm.
OUTCOME: Students will demonstrate their understanding of the
course material, applying vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and
communication strategies.
Week Lesson 15. Problems and Difficulties. (How to Solve Problems;
Eight Steps Overcoming Problems and Difficulties) Idioms, Activities,
Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice discussing problems and
solutions, improve their ability to ask for and give advice, and
develop argumentation skills.
Lesson 16. Exceptional People. (The Secrets of Exceptional
People; The Advantages and Disadvantages of Being an Exceptional
Person) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary for describing
people, practice forming complex sentences about achievements, and
improve listening comprehension through biographical accounts.
Week Lesson 17. Shopping. (Shopping Hubs; Stores; Shopping Malls,
Nine Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping/ Big Markets/
Small Shops) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the topic (2
hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn vocabulary related to shopping,
practice using words and expressions for product descriptions, and
engage in role-play for real-life shopping situations.
Lesson 18. Healthy Way of Life. (What is Healthy Life for you;
Five Key Parts of Healthy Way of Life; Healthy Food, How to Keep
 Fit? Avoid Bad Habits) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about
the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will develop vocabulary related to health and
fitness, practice giving advice, and improve listening comprehension
through health-related discussions.
Week Lesson 19. Natural Disasters (The Most Widespread Natural
Ten Disasters; Environmental factors; Droughts, Tsunamis, Tornadoes,
The Difference between Natural Disasters and Manmade Disasters;
Volcanoes, Major Storms, Hurricane, Earthquake) Idioms,
Activities, Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary related to
natural disasters, practice using vocabulary to describe events, and
improve comprehension through news reports and documentaries.
Lesson 20. Customs and Traditions in England (How do the
English Spend Their Weekends; Traditions Concerning Food;
Holidays in Great Britain, Acceptable Behavior in England; Dos and
Don’ts; Tea Tradition in England) Idioms, Activities, Video
Materials about the Topic (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn cultural vocabulary, compare
traditions, and improve speaking fluency by discussing cultural
similarities and differences.
Week Lesson 21. Why English is Important. (Importance of the English
Eleven Language; The Advantages of Speaking English) Idioms, Activities,
Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice expressing opinions on language
learning, improve their ability to discuss global communication, and
engage in reading comprehension activities.
Lesson 22. Culture Shock. (What is Culture Shock; What Causes
Culture Shock; How to Cope with Culture Shock) Idioms, Activities,
Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn vocabulary related to cultural
adjustment, describe personal experiences, and develop listening
skills through interviews.
Week Lesson 23. Travel. Ways of Travelling. (The Origin of the Word;
Twelve Types of Travel; Reasons for Travel, Health and Safe; Safe Food;
Transportation Safety, Insect Bite Prevention; Sun Safety Tips; Top
Tips for Safe Travel, The Cheapest, Most Expensive, Most Difficult,
Safest Way of Travelling) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about
 the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary on travel and
transportation, practice making travel arrangements using functional
language, and engage in role-play for booking trips.
Lesson 24. At the Restaurant. (Types of Restaurants, Top 10 Most
Tasty Cuisines in the World) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials
about the Topic (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will learn key phrases for ordering food,
practice using polite expressions in restaurant settings, and improve
listening skills through restaurant dialogues.
Week Lesson 25. Money. (The History of Money) Idioms, Activities,
Thirteen Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will develop vocabulary related to money and
banking, practice discussing financial decisions, and improve their
ability to compare different financial systems.
Lesson 26. At the Hotel. (Types of Hotels, unusual Hotels, World
Record Setting hotels) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the
Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice making reservations using
functional language, improve their ability to describe hotel services,
and engage in listening activities based on real-life hotel scenarios.
Week Lesson 27. Seven wonders of the World. (Seven Wonders of the
Fourtee Modern World) Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the Topic.
n (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will practice words and expressions to
describe places, landmarks, and improve listening skills through
travel documentaries
Lesson 28. At the Airport. (Airport check-in, Baggage registration)
Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will develop vocabulary for airport travel,
practice asking for and giving directions, and improve
comprehension of airport announcements.
Week Lesson 29. Festivals around the World. (10 Most Unique Festivals
Fifteen Around the world)
Idioms, Activities, Video Materials about the Topic. (2 hrs.)
OUTCOME: Students will expand their vocabulary on festivals,
practice describing traditions, and engage in discussions comparing
 global celebrations.

Lesson 30. Revision and Recapitulation. (2 hrs.)

OUTCOME: Students will consolidate their learning throughout the
course, refining conversational skills and applying learned concepts
to real-life communication tasks.

Copyright
The course materials (PowerPoint/PDF slides and notes) are created by the course
instructors, are her intellectual property and can be uploaded, copied only with the
authors’ permission.