Accra Technical University

Faculty of Applied Arts

Department of Liberal Studies & Communication Technology
CBT - Communication Skills

General Course Objectives

The overall objective of the course is to enhance professional competencies and skills in speaking,
reading listening, and writing. After going through the various topics, students should be able to:

1. Use information gained for a variety of purposes:

• Communicate effectively using the appropriate sentences to meet different functional

needs
• Use the movement, juxtaposition, gestures, silent period, facial expressions, and other non-
verbal cues to convey meaning.
• Understand how para-linguistics features contribute to effective communication
• Use background knowledge of the subject and text structure knowledge to make complex
predictions of the content, purpose, and organization of the reading material.
• To use a variety of strategies to analyze words and text, and draw conclusions.
• Use context and word-structures clues, and recognize organizational patterns.
• Differentiate between fact and opinion and identifies strong vs. weak arguments.
2. Demonstrate effective use of academic vocabularies in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

3. To understand the rules and patterns in semantic structure, symbols, sound, and meaning
conveyed through the English Language.

4. Organize information before writing according to the type and purpose of the writing.
5. The student should be able to draft and revise writing that is focused, purposeful, and reflects
insight into the writing situation; has and organizational pattern that provides for a logical
progression of ideas that has clarity in presentation of ideas; demonstrates a command of language
with freshness of expression; has varied sentence structure; has few convention errors in
mechanics, usage, and punctuation.
 FIRST SEMESTER
COMMUNICATION SKILLS 1-- COS 101
Course Description
This course aims to prepare students for the challenging university education. The course is geared
towards equipping students to make the transition from pre-university level to the university level.
It assists them to engage, and succeed in complex academic tasks such as speaking, listening,
reading, and writing. It also introduces students to university studies by equipping students with
skills that will help them to engage in academic discourse with confidence and fluency.
Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are to:
1. Help students develop functional skills in the use of English language
2. Enhance student’s communicative ability in English
3. Equip students with skills in reading and writing
4. Assist students pay attention to grammar accuracy and conventions of usage

TABLE 1 -COURSE CONTENT

GENERAL
AREA OF SKILLS RANGE SUB-SKILLS
COMPETENC
E (GAC)
Communication Nature and Scope 1. Definition of
Skills of Communication 1. Improve self-knowledge
Communication and self-perception in
2.Characteristics of communication.
Communication
2. To recognize the internal
3. Process of workings of communication
Communication and gain a much broader
knowledge of the world
4.Verbal/Non-Verbal around them, and of how
Communication they can influence it.
Developing 1. Reading styles
reading skills (skimming, Demonstrate understanding
scanning, SQ3R, of good reading skills
etc)
2. Intensive reading
3. Extensive reading
4. Reading for
comprehension
5. Oral
Comprehension of
Text

Conventions of 1. Spelling: Useful Introduce students to the

usage Rules rudiments in the
2. Punctuations conventions in the usage of
3. Sentence Types proper English structure and
i. Structural Types usage both in formal and
ii. Functional informal context.
Types
iii. Subordinates
and Coordinates
4. Concord:
Agreement of
Subject and Verb,
Pronouns and
Antecedents
5. Tense and
Sequence of Tenses
 Identify and correct some of
Expression and 1. Fused Sentences the basic errors in writing
Language Use (Run-on sentences & and spelling of words.
Comma Splices) 1. Recognize run-on
2. Mixed & Shift in sentences and correct them
Construction in sentences.
3. Sentence Fragments
4. Redundancy in Writing 2. Avoid shifting from one
5. Dangling Modifiers verb tense to another, or one
6. Misrelated Modifiers number to another in the
7. Ambiguity/Homonymy same sentence.

4. Recognize sentence
fragments and correct them
in sentences.

5. Recognize redundant
expressions correct them in
writing.
Ensures the unambiguity in
students spoken and written
text.

Place modifiers at the right

place in sentences.

1. Notes taking and

Developing Notes making Skills
studying skills 2. Methods of making
notes from lectures,
books and internet
3. The Outline
 Synthesizing 1. Summary Writing Students will demonstrate
Information 2. Paraphrasing knowledge in summarizing,
3. Quoting quoting, and paraphrasing
information from other
sources.

Mode of delivery
This course will be interactive (that is lectures, seminars and discussion), students will be expected
at these meetings to participate fully in all class activities which may include all the assessments
forms and process.
Mode of assessment
Continuous assessment 40%, this includes but not limited to:
1. Diagnostic test
2. Class assignments
3. Mid semester test
4. Class attendance
5. Participation in seminars and presentations
6. And others that shall be determined by the lecturer
Final examination 60%
This consist of an end of semester examination based on the various topics and aspects treated in
the semester. Details for both continuous assessment and examination shall be communicated to
students during the semester, but before the continuous assessment text or the final examination.
General course rules
Attendance and participation
Regular attendance to class is a requirement to complete this course. Participation in class
discussions, seminars and others will influence the final grade of students. Students are therefore
encouraged to prepare by reading ahead of class to engage in meaningful contributions.

Sample Reference
Ferguson (2004). Communication skills, Second edition. An imprint of Facts on File, Inc.132
West 31st Street. New York NY 10001
Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2000). Learning and Communicating. Kumasi: Wilas Press Ltd.
Wambui. T.W., Kibui. A. A., & Gathuthi. E., (2015). Communication Skills, Students Course
book. Vol. 1. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co.KG
Jordan, R. R. (1997). English for Academic Purposes: A Guide and Resource Book for Teachers.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nartey, T. A. Gborsong P. A. & Torto R. T. (2003). Practice Exercises in Communicative Skills.

Opoku-Agyemang, N.J. (1998). A Handbook for Writing Skills. Accra: Ghana Universities Press.

SECOND SEMESTER –
COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2- COS 102
Course Description

This course, which is a sequel to Communication Skills 1, and sets out to prepare students to write
rhetorically effective texts in academic discourses. It mainly provides students with skills to enable them to
research, plan and compose essays in different discourse types. Students will also be exposed to writing in
functional discourses such as report writing and formal letter writing.

Course Objectives

The objectives of the course are to:

1. equip students with skills needed for effective communication in academic writing;
2. equip students with skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in functional discourse
3. equip students with skills that will help them to pay attention to grammatical accuracy and
conventions of usage in their writing.

Table 1 – COURSE CONTENT

GENERAL
AREA OF UNITS RANGE SUB-SKILLS
COMPETENC
E (GAC)
Communication Planning the 1. Nature of Paragraph Students shall write
Skills paragraph 2. Developing the Topic essays with the
Sentence and Controlling appropriate standards
Idea in paragraphing
Methods of Developing
Controlling Idea
Composing the
essay 1. Choose and Limiting the Topic
2. Researching for Information
3. Writing the Outline
4. Writing the Introductory
Paragraph
5. Developing the Body
Paragraphs
6. Writing the Concluding
Paragraph
7. Elements of a good paragraph
• Unity
• Completeness
• Cohesion and Coherence

Discourse Types 1. The Narrative Engage in different

2. The Descriptive types of discourses for
3. The Expository effective
4. The Argumentative communication

Developing 1. Developing effective Enhances students

listening and skills Listening Skills listening and speaking
2. Guidelines for Effective skills to ensure
Listening effective oral
communication
Developing 1. Purpose and Audience Enhances students
Speaking/Presentat 2. Structure and Process speaking skills to
ion Skills 3. Delivery (Students ensure effective oral
Presentations) communication
4. Use of Visual Aids
5. Handling Questions
6. Nonverbal Issues in
Presentation

Functional Writing 1. Business Letter To be able to write a

2. Curriculum Vitae Writing good job application
3. Interview letter and a CV.
4. Memorandum
5. Business Proposal Writing
 6. Business Report Writing Apply good Interview
techniques

To be able to make a
good impression
during an interview
session

Mode of Delivery

This course will be very interactive. That is, it will involve student–led seminars and discussions. Students will be
expected at these meetings and to participate fully in all class activities.

Mode of Assessment

Continuous Assessment (40%)

• Class assignments
• Class participation
• Class test
• Mid semester test (20%)

Final Examination (60%)

This will cover various aspects of the semester’s work. Details of the requirements for both continuous assessment
and final examination will be communicated.

General Course Policies

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance at classes is mandatory. Attendance (and active participation) will influence the final grade.
Students are advised to prepare by carefully following the readings and being ready to engage in discussions.

Plagiarism

The University has rules concerning plagiarism and it is the responsibility of each student to read and become familiar
with the rules. Plagiarism will result in disciplinary actions, including course failure.

Suggested Reference Books

Clouse, F. B. (1994). Transitions: From Reading to Writing. New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Gborsong, P. A. (2011). Fundamentals of Communicative Skills for Undergraduate Students
and Secretaries. Saarbrucken. Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing GmbH & Co.
Gogovi, G.A.K., Gborsong, P.A., Yankah, V.K., & Essel, K. (2000). Communicative Skills.
Cape Coast: Centre for Continuing Education.
Johns, A. M. (1997). Text, Role and Context: Developing Academic Literacies. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.

Ploeger, K. (2000). Simplified Paragraph Skills. Illinois: NTC Publishing Group.

Sekyi-Baidoo, Y. (2000). Learning and Communicating. Kumasi: Wilas Press Ltd.