AC –20.04.

2024
Item No. – 5.6 (N) Sem I (1e)
As Per NEP 2020

University of Mumbai

Syllabus for
Basket of AEC
Board of Studies in English

UG First Year for B.A Programme

Semester I

Title of Paper Credits

Communication Skills in English I 2

for B.A

From the Academic Year 2024-2025

Sr. Heading Particulars
No.

1 Description the course: Communication Skills in English - I (B.A)

Including but Not limited to: The English language in important medium of
communication through which one can connect to the
global community. It is, therefore, vital that all learners
acquire adequate skills in this language. Communication
Skills in English is a course that guides the first-year
learners to acquire the four skills of communication viz.,
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

The focus of the syllabus is on building confidence in the

learners in applying these skills while using English both
academically and socially. Keeping this in mind, the
units will have a multi-pronged approach. The course is
graded from basic to higher levels of learning so as to
help learners gradually acquire the skills. The 30:20
pattern will also help in accomplishing this goal. The
activities are designed to focus on oral skill
development, while the lectures are aimed at honing
their cognitive, analytical, linguistic and creative skills.

It is hoped that by the end of the academic year, the

learners will have developed confidence in using English
language both for oral and written communication as well
as develop interest in enhancing these skills later on.
2 Vertical : Ability Enhancement Course

3 Type : Theory

4 Credit: 2 credits
(1 credit = 15 Hours for Theory or 30
Hours of Practical work in a semester)

5 Hours Allotted : 30 Hours

6 Marks Allotted: 50 Marks

7 Course Objectives:
1. To enhance English language proficiency of students by familiarizing them with
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW) skills
2. To introduce learners to different perspectives of looking at a text or passage
3. To equip learners in the functional aspects of English so that they use the
acquired language skills correctly and confidently
4. To guide learners in the effective use of the digital medium of communication.

8 Course Outcomes:
At the end of the course, learners will be able to:
1. Understand and interpret any text they are reading from different perspectives.
2. Arouse the interest of learners in listening to and watching good quality audio
and visual media.
3. Acquire proficiency in the skills of listening; speaking, reading and writing that
will help them meet the challenges of the world.
4. Develop good oral and written skills of communication in the English language.

9 Modules:- Per credit One module can be created

Module 1: Introduction to Communication Skills, Reading Skills and Listening Skills

(15 lectures)

1. Introduction to Communication Skills

• English as an international language and varieties of English
• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
• Features of Effective Writing Skills
• Characteristics of an Effective Speech
• Effective Listening Skills
This section provides theoretical base for the following units that are practical in nature.
2. Reading Skills:
• Scanning a text for information
• Skimming a passage to look for main ideas, understanding text type
• Guessing meaning of an expression (word/phrase/clause)
• Building inference skills
• Grammar: Tenses, Question Tag, Change the Voice, Framing Interrogative
sentence, Synonyms and Antonyms

Passages of around 200- 250 words from fables, folk stories, short stories, non-fiction,
history, business or environment could be chosen in this section.
 3. Listening Skills

• Listening for main ideas/Gist

• Listening for details
• Listening for text organization features
• Listening for tone, accent, style and register

A variety of relevant audio/visual texts as samples may be drawn from various sources.
Listening skills in English should be developed through various activities along with the
practice done while teaching in the class.

Module 2: Speaking Skills and Writing Skills (15 lectures)

1. Speaking Skills in English

i) Public Speaking in English
• Introduction
• Characteristics of an effective speech
• Analysis of model speeches
• Drafting and presenting a speech in formal and informal gatherings
ii) Conversation skills
• Opening a conversation
• Introducing oneself in various contexts
• Introducing others formally and informally

2. Formal Writing Skills:

• Job applications with bio data (solicited and unsolicited)
• RTI applications
• Applications for duplicate documents (I-cards / mark sheet, etc.)
10 Text Books: N.A.
11 Reference Books:
1. Bellare, Nirmala. Reading & Study Strategies. Books. 1 and 2. Oxford
University Press, 1997, 1998
2. Bellare, Nirmala. Easy Steps to Summary Writing and Note-Making. Amazon
Kindle Edition, 2020
3. Comfort, Jeremy, et al. Speaking Effectively: Developing Speaking Skills for
Business English. Cambridge University Press, 1994.
4. Das, Bikram K., et. al. An Introduction to Professional English and Soft Skills.
Cambridge University Press India Pvt. Ltd., 2010
5. Das, Yadjnaseni & R. Saha (eds.) English for Careers. Pearson Education
India, 2012.
6. Dimond-Bayir, Stephanie. Unlock Level 2 Listening and Speaking Skills
Student's Book and Online Workbook: Listening and Speaking Skills
Student's Book+ Online Workbook. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
7. Doff, Adrian and Christopher Jones. Language in Use (Intermediate and
Upper Intermediate). CUP, 2004.
8. Glendinning, Eric H. and Beverley Holmstrom. Second edition. Study
Reading: A Course in Reading Skills for Academic Purposes. CUP, 2004
9. Goodale, Malcolm. Professional Presentations Video Pack: A Video Based
Course. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
10. Grellet, F. Developing Reading Skills. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 1981
11. Grussendorf, Marion. English for Presentations. OUP, 2007.
12. Hamp- Lyons, Liz and Ben Heasiey. Second edition. Study Writing: A
Course in Writing Skills for Academic Purposes. CUP, 2006
13. Labade, Sachin, Katre Deepa et al. Communication Skills in English. Orient
Blackswan, Pvt Ltd, 2021.
14. Lewis, N. How to Read Better & Faster. New Delhi, Goyal Publishers &
Distributors Pvt. Ltd, 2006.
15. McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O'Dell. English Vocabulary in Use.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
16. Mohan, RC Sharma Krishna. Business Correspondence and Report Writing.
Third edition. Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2002.
17. Murphy, Raymond, et al. Grammar in use: Intermediate. Cambridge
University Press, 2000
18. Raman, Meenakshi, and Singh, Prakash. Business
Communication. India, Oxford University Press, 2006.
19. Richards, Jack C., and Chuck Sandy. Passages Level 2 Student's Book.
Cambridge University Press, 2014.
20. Sadanand, Kamlesh & S. Punitha. Spoken English: A Foundation Course.
(Part 1 & 2). Orient Blackswan. 2009.
21. Sasikumar, V., et al. A Course in Listening & Speaking I. 2005. Cambridge
University Press India Pvt. Ltd. (under the Foundation Books Imprint), 2010
 22. Savage, Alice, et al Effective Academic Writing. Oxford: OUP, 2005
23. Sethi, J. Standard English and Indian usage: Vocabulary and grammar. PHI
Learning Pvt. Ltd., 2011.
24. Taylor, Grant. English Conversation Practice. 1967. Tata McGraw-Hill, 2013
25. Turton, Nigel D. A B C of Common Grammatical Errors. 1995. Macmillan
India Ltd., 1996
26. Vas, Gratian. English Grammar for Everyone. Mumbai, Shree Book Centre,
2015
27. Watson, T. Reading Comprehension Skills and Strategies: Level 6.
Saddleback Educational Publishing, 2002

Web link Resources:

• A conversation about household appliances: [Link] 13.
Video on psychology: Why do we dream? [Link]
• Video on social media: What is a social media influencer?
[Link]
• Tips on communication (TED Talk): The Secrets of Learning a New Language
[Link]
• Expressing opinions: If Cinderella Were a Guy:
HTTPs://[Link]/p4OyCNctKXg
• Video on the English language: Where did English come from?
[Link]
12 Internal Continuous Assessment: 40% External, Semester End Examination
60%
Individual Passing in Internal and
External Examination
13 Continuous Evaluation through:
• Performance in activities: 10 marks
The class may be divided into batches to conduct the presentations and
conversations by creating formal schedule for the same before the semester End
Examination.
• Participation in classroom during lectures 05 marks
Learners’ response to teaching and tasks involving Listening skills will be
assessed
• Overall attendance (lectures) 05 marks
Percentage of learners’ attendance in class to be considered

Suggested Activities:
• Use of YouTube videos for use of grammar study and practice that may be taken
from the list recommended or similar relevant videos.
• Listening to audio clips/ books to enhance listening skills
• Reading aloud from newspapers, magazines, stories, non-fiction followed by
classroom discussion on these to enhance reading and speaking skills
• Making short presentations on given topics
• Official letter writing/ email writing exercises
14 Format of Question Paper: for the final examination

Q.1. Short notes (2 out of 4) – On Module 1.1 10 marks

Q.2. Unseen Passage (200-250 words) (Module 1.2) 10 marks
6 marks for the questions on content, 4 marks for the questions on grammar
Q. 3. Writing Skills (1 out of 2) on Module 2.2 10 Marks

Sign of BOS Chairman Sign of the Offg. Sign of the Offg. Sign of the Dean
Prof. Dr. Shivaji Sargar Associate Dean Associate Dean Prof. Dr. Anil Singh
Board of Studies in Dr. Suchitra Naik Dr. Manisha Karne Faculty of
English Faculty of Faculty of Humanities
Humanities Humanities