Freshman English Conversation
BEN10103
104b Syllabus
Click here for printable syllabus in pdf format.
Texts
- There are no required texts for this class.
- Class content will be generated by students in preparation for each class meeting.
Class Objectives
The purpose of this class is to help students become comfortable speaking in English and gain fluency. Students should be able to listen, share information, and converse in an English only environment. Students should become comfortable expressing and supporting personal ideas related to class topics.
- Improve fluency in English conversation (thinking in English, pronunciation, intonation)
- Increase conversational skills & ability (confidence, vocabulary, strategies).
After completing thing course, students should be able to
- Hold lengthy conversations using only English.
- Be able and willing to ask questions in English for clarification and further information.
- Feel comfortable when speaking English before a small audience.
- Express information, opinions, and ideas, about various topics with adequate support and be able to answer follow-up questions.
Practice and Features of this Class
- The class is organized around topics that are loosely related to the Reading class.
- Students are expected to prepare for each class by completing a short writing assignment that sometimes involves practical research, and by thinking about how they will express their information and ideas.
- This weekly assignment must be printed on A4 size paper with a proper heading
- This paper is due at the beginning of each class. If you want to use what you wrote during the class time, then you can make two copies and keep one for yourself
- Students will spend time sharing information, ideas, and opinions related to the homework each week by doing different kinds of class activities.
- Moodle. Please go to the school moodle site and fill in your profile. Pay special attention to entering your preferred email account and to filling out the Additional Names section with your name in phonetic spelling and English.
Changes for this semester
- There is a strong focus on speaking in the past tense during the first half of the semester. Pay special attention to your verbs and build good habits.
- The midterm will be done in a “Talk Show” format. The class becomes your “live audience.”
- After the midterm, each group will be responsible for “teaching a class.” Give me your topic before the spring break and talk with me in more detail 2-3 weeks before your turn.
- The final exam will be conducted individually in my office, just like last semester.
Grading
| 25% |
Homework & preparation |
| 25% |
Participation & presentation (including your "teach the class" day) |
| 20% |
Midterm (Group Talk Show) |
| 30% |
Final (Individual Interview) |
- Missing more than two classes will lower semester grade by 10 points.
- Missing four or more classes will probably lead to a failing grade.
- Perfect attendance will raise your grade by 3 points.
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