1st Semester
Site created by Aiden Yeh, 2003
| Syllabus Class Time: Wednesday, 1:30-4:30 pm Classroom: B442 Textbook: Consider the Issues, Carol Numrich, 1995, US: Longman Course Aims and Objectives 1. To develop the students’ listening comprehension and critical thinking skills through an integrated approach to learning 2. To expose students to unedited and authentic language 3. To gain an understanding of American values and culture as they develop their listening skills 4. To train students to present their opinions and arguments through oral presentations 5. To expose and engage students to online communications that range from synchronous voice/text discussions with online guest speakers (native and non-native speakers of English) to asynchronous voice/text discussion boards. Topics/Activities SEPTEMBER 10 First day of class Introductions and Expectations. Needs Assessment, Hands-on training/workshop in using multimedia tools and online communications tools 1st hour: Thinking ahead/Vocabulary/Using new words in sentences (to be collected) 2nd hour: Task Listening/listening for main ideas/for details 3rd hour: Debate. Divide the class in 2 groups. Assignment: Deadline: Sept. 24 Post your reactions and comments in the voice discussion board (wimba). Should cigarette smoking be permitted in public place? If so, in which places? Do you think tobacco should be classified as a drug? Guide questions will be announced later. 24 Relationships. The best of friends/more than a friend; Talking about the best way to meet friends; comparing dating rules/ discussing ways to maintain relationships 1st hour-2nd hour: In-class discussions and listening activities 3rd hour: Online Synchronous discussions with Webheads October 1 A wine that’s raised some stink 1st hour: Predicting/Vocabulary/Writing sentences (to be submitted) 2nd to 3rd hour: Listening Task/Song/use rhyme to emphasize message Remaining 30 minutes: group meeting for oral presentation/ advertise an unusual product/include product jingle or copy, prepare a written plan 8 Student Presentation: Product advertising/ part 2 15 Clothes and Appearance. Discussing different opinions on fashion; discussing how first impressions are formed; discussing how people respond to appearance 1st to 2nd hour: Discussion, Listening activity/Grammar focus/reading 3rd hour: How important are clothes? Ways in which people are categorized or discriminated because of their appearance Assignment: Writing/Voice Discussion Board Deadline: October 22 In 200 words, describe your approach to clothes (you will be given different headlines to choose from, your chosen headline will be the basis for your thesis statement. 22 Group Presentation: (Scroll down to the bottom of the page) 29 Halloween Party! Join Dr. Robert Good's class. Don't forget to bring the goodies! November 5 MIDTERMS 12 Oral Work/Writing and a little translation.
Drive-in Shopping 1st hour: Predicting/Vocabulary/Writing Sentences 2nd hour: Listening Activity 3rd hour: Group Meeting for presentation. Each group must choose a unique drive-in or drive-through service. Submit a detailed plan together with rationale Nov. 19 Student Presentation Exceptional People. Discussing people who have made an impact in different countries and in Taiwan; discussing the qualities and guiding principles of exceptional people; discussing ways you can be a hero 1st-2nd hour: In-class discussion/listening activity 3rd hour: online discussion (Memorable quotations: Describing what the given quotations mean). Given 4 pictures that show different kinds of people, the students will write a guiding principle for each, and then they will share their ideas with others). What does the word ‘hero’ mean? Guide questions will be announced later. Assignment: Voice Discussion Board, Guide questions will be announced later. Nov. 29 Student Presentation December Dec. 03 Is it sculpture or is it food? 1st hour: Predicting/vocabulary/ 2nd hour: Listening activity/discussion 3rd hour: Impromptu Debate (Feedback-use Voice Discussion Board) 10 Superstitions and Beliefs 1st-2nd hour: The things people believe/Listening/discussion/grammar focus/ 3rd hour: Are you superstitious? Students will be given a questionnaire to find out whether they are superstitious or not. Explain some of the things that you are superstitious about? Is there anything else that brings good or bad luck? Survey of beliefs about psychics, feng shui, astrological signs Assignment: Deadline December 17, Writing/Voice discussion board Write a composition about superstitions and good and bad luck in your culture (Taiwanese) and state your opinions. Do you believe? Why? Why not? 17 Gang Violence 1st hour: Predicting/vocabulary/writing sentences 2nd to 3rd hour: listening activity; group meeting for Dec. 10 Presentation. Police Interrogation, Prepare a script 24 Student Presentation: Role Play 31 Running Dictation. Interpreting Poems (Shel Silverstein, etc.) Reading aloud and practicing pronunciation. Styles in writing poems. Write your own poem to be presented on January 7. January 7 FINALS Presentation of work. NOTES: Discussion questions will be posted in the class’s yahoogroups or blackboard. Your oral portfolio will comprise of recorded voice materials from synchronous and asynchronous online discussions and other oral activities. For 2nd semester: Trends in Reading/Joys of literature/Books vs. Internet 1st-2nd hour: Discussion/grammar focus/ 3rd hour: Online discussion Books vs. Internet Advantages of Books and the Internet Do you use the Internet? How often do you use the Internet and for what purposes? How does the Internet affect your life? 24 Create controversy to generate publicity 1st hour: predicting/vocabulary/writing sentences 2nd hour: listening activity 3rd hour: Discussion: Values Clarification |
