Course Information: Fall 2012

This syllabus may change during the term to accommodate the pace of the class.

Go to top

Objectives

1)    make themselves understood in all classroom situations;
2)    deliver two public speeches (in front of the whole class) using outlines;
3)    respond appropriately to questions about their own speeches;
4)    evaluate their peers' speeches;
5)    contribute to small group and one-on-one discussions as well as class discussions;
6)    complete written assignments to show understanding of communciation skills;
7)    show satisfactory academic listening skills and take useful notes;
8)    ask clarifying questions that show evidence of critical thinking;
9)    use appropriate vocabulary, including idioms and phrasal verbs, in various practical situations;
10)  develop a larger active and passive vocabulary;
11)  speak in complete sentences with appropriate use of transition words;
12)  use grammatical structures appropriate to this level, such as correct word order and appropriate verb tenses and word forms;
13)  apply the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to English pronunciation;
14)  understand and work on applying English stress, rhythm and intonation patterns;
15)  avoid plagiarism.

Go to top

Requirements and policies

Students should try to come to class every day. If you are going to be absent, please call me (971-722-4269) to excuse yourself and ask about missed assignments. Leave a message including your name and phone number if I am not in my office.
You will automatically fail the class if you are absent for more than four classes. Two unexcused absences are allowed per term. Two points will be taken off of your final grade for every unexcused absence after three.
Class begins at 3:30 p.m. Students who are more than ten minutes late will be counted as 'absent' even if they stay for the rest of the class. Students who are less than ten minutes late will be marked late, and one half point will be taken off of their final grade. Also, please return on time from the mid-class break.

Homework:

You will be given homework almost class meeting. You must prepare for your classes by doing the assignments and handing them in on time. Graded assignments will be marked down for every day they are handed in late. Students who don't do homework will not pass the class.

Participation:

This is a communication class: you must participate in all class discussions and activities. Try to ask a question, make a comment, or interact with a classmate in English at every class meeting.

Audio CDs:

The CD that comes with your Quest 3 textbook only covers the exercises in Part 3 of each chapter. You will be given a link that will allow you to access all the audio files for the textbook for $6.25.

Cheating:

Any student found cheating (looking at another student's paper during a quiz, copying another student's work, copying from a book, etc.) will be given a '0' for the assignment. Repeated cheating will result in an F for the course.

Special accommodations:

PCC is committed to supporting all students. If you plan to use academic accommodations for this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Accommodations are not retroactive; they begin when the instructor receives the 'Approved Academic Accommodations' letter from the student. To request academic accommodations for a disability, please contact a disability services counselor (ST Building, Room 229; phone: 971-722-4341).

Bad weather:

If the weather looks bad, and you think the college might close, call the college number (971-722-6111) and listen to the message. Remember that the message might change, so you should always check before you leave home.

Tutoring :

Tutors in the ESOL Tutoring Center in the CT Building may help students with assignments for this course. Tutors are not supposed to give answers or rewrite speeches. You may brainstorm ideas and practice a speech with a tutor.

Discipline:

Inappropriate behavior in the classroom or in the ESOL Tutoring Center can lead to suspension or expulsion from the college. Please turn off cell phones when you come to class. College policy says that there should be no eating, drinking, or smoking in the classroom.

Go to top

Tests

Students will give a short diagnostic speech during the first week of class to see if they belong at the level. Students may be asked to move up or down a level based on the results of the diagnostic test.

Quizzes:

There will be two major listening quizzes (midterm and final). You will listen to a lecture, take notes, and answer questions by looking at your notes. There will also be chapter quizzes on the units we cover in the textbook.

Final examination:

The final exam will be on Tuesday, December 11th, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. It will consist of a listening quiz and short class speeches.

Go to top

Grading and Deadlines

Listening, reading, and writing tasks, including listening/note-taking exercises, written summaries, speech outlines and vocabulary quizzes, will make up 40% of the final grade.

Students must receive an A, B, or C in the course in order to pass.
 

Drop the course with a full refund of tuition by Saturday, September 29th. Drop the course using MyPCC.

To audit the course, tell me and submit paperwork by Friday, September 28th. To get an audit, you must attend 70% of the classes.

To get a ‘W’ for the course: officially withdraw by Saturday, November 17th (Use MyPCC) Students who leave the class without officially withdrawing may get an ‘F’.

Request the P/NP grade option by Saturday, November 17th. Do this through MyPCC.

Go to top