NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF MODERN LANGUAGES
BELS (Basic English Language Skills)
Spring 2026
COURSE
Basic English Language Skills
CODE
ESFE102
CATEGORY
Functional English
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to equip students with essential language skills for effective communication in diverse real-world scenarios. It focuses on developing proficiency in English language usage: word choices, grammar and sentence structure. In addition, the course will enable students to grasp nuanced messages and tailor their communication effectively through application of comprehension and analytical skills in listening and reading. Moreover, the course encompasses a range of practical communication aspects including professional writing, public speaking, and everyday conversation, ensuring that students are equipped for both academic and professional spheres. An integral part of the course is fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of language on diverse audiences. Students will learn to communicate inclusively and display a strong commitment to cultural awareness in their language use. Additionally, the course will enable them to navigate the globalized world with ease and efficacy, making a positive impact in their functional interactions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply enhanced English communication skills through effective use of word choices, grammar and sentence structure.
- Comprehend a variety of literary/non-literary written and spoken texts in English.
- Effectively express information, ideas and opinions in written and spoken English.
- Recognize inter-cultural variations in the use of English language and to effectively adapt their communication style and content based on diverse cultural and social contexts.
OBJECTIVES
- To provide students the basic language support in dealing with their respective subjects
- To make them more proficient in assimilating data and information
- To help them write the assignments, reports, papers etc. pertaining to their subjects
- To increase their oral communicative abilities, towards verbally relating ideas regarding their subjects
- To make them better, more attentive and accurate listeners
- To comprehend lectures and readings
- To assimilate data and information to produce written assignments and reports
- To communicate verbally ideas and information pertaining to their subjects
METHODOLOGY
- Lectures and Discussion
- Collaborative learning
- Education technologies, including word processing, the internet and electronic presentation
CLASSROOM COURTESIES
- Dress code: Formal
- Attendance is compulsory
- Deadlines must be observed
Course Contents
Week 1
- Course Introduction: Grading Policy, Diagnostic Test
- Reading Comprehension: Identifying the author’s thesis and purpose; Identifying the supporting details
- Readings: Models for Writers Analysis of essay/story/article
Week 2
- Reading Comprehension: Identifying implied ideas and drawing inferences
- Identifying the supporting details (major and minor)
- Models for Writers
Week 3
- Reading Comprehension: Critical Analysis and Text
- Style and Tone in a text
- Readings: Models for Writers
Week 4
- Reading Comprehension: Literary devices
- Style, tone and Patterns of organization
Week 5
- Writing Process: Brainstorming, Clustering, Listing
- Narrowing down a broad topic
Week 6
- Writing Process: Paragraph Structure and Development
- Topic sentence, supporting details, concluding sentence
- Writing a paragraph
- Introduction: Thesis Statement Writing
- Assign Short story
Week 7
- Writing Process: Thesis statement development (topic + controlling idea + reasons)
- Writing a thesis statement
- Assign Reading
Week 8
- Mid Term Exam
Week 9
- Writing Process: Five-paragraph Essay Structure: Intro., Main Body, Conclusion
- Expository essay outline development
- Assign Reading for Cause and-Effect Essays
Week 10
- Writing Process: Essay writing (continued) – expository essay (informative)
- Introduction to applications
Week 11
- Writing Process: Application writing using prompts
- Argumentative writing
- Assign texts for Critical Analysis
Week 12
- Listening: Listening and Hearing
- Barriers to listening
- Assign Reading for Persuasive Essays
Week 13
- Listening: Critical Listening
Week 14
- Speaking: Guideline for speaking
- Structuring Presentations
Week 15
- Speaking: Presentations Skills
- Developing power point for presentations
- Speaking: Short Stories Presentations
