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The objectives of this course are 1) to gain greater control of spoken and written academic English and 2) to use English to explore serious topics, issues, and values. In particular, students will learn to produce an argumentative text in both spoken (presentation) and written (essay) form.
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The course will be organized around various themes and genres of academic English.
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academic English, spoken English, written English
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Except for the first theme chosen by the instructor, the students will choose themes.
Most class time will be used for activities involving spoken and written English. A few of these will be related to how to use language, but most will be theme-focused. They may involve reading, summarization, discussion, and research. Often, part of the activity will be assigned as homework. Whenever possible, these activities will involve students working together.
Students will keep a journal in which they answer questions related to the current theme. I will collect these journals every few weeks and respond to what the students have written.
Each student will write one argumentative essay and give one presentation based on the content of the essay. The topic should be related to one of the themes we have used in class. Students will also video-record two discussions for active learning.
Below is an example schedule. Week 1 (4/6): Theme 1: Stereotypes; first journal assignment (J1) Week 2 (4/13): Theme 1; J2 Week 3 (4/20): Decide theme 2; collect journals; language activity Week 4 (4/27): Theme 2; J3 Week 5 (5/11): Theme 2; J4 Active Learning 1 (Week 6): Video-recorded group discussion related to either theme 1 or 2 Week 7 (5/18): Decide theme 3; collect journals; language activity Week 8 (5/25): Theme 3; J5 Week 9 (6/1): Theme 3; J6 Active Learning 2 (Week 10): Video-recorded group discussion related to either theme 1, 2, or 3 Week 11 (6/8): Collect journals; language activity; model essay Week 12 (6/15): First draft of essay; peer feedback Week 13 (6/22): Teacher feedback on essay Week 14 (6/29): Model practice; final draft of essay Week 15 (7/6): Presentations
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Participation: 10% Homework assignments: 10% Journal assignments: 20% Video-recorded discussions (active learning): 20% Essay: 15% Presentation: 15% ELC work: 10%
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Students are expected to complete journal assignments and other homework assignments before class.
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There is no textbook for the class.
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