This document provides information about a Conversational English course offered at Teachers College, Columbia University in the spring of 2015. The course is for students with intermediate English proficiency and focuses on developing speaking and listening skills through interactive tasks, role-plays and presentations. It meets on Fridays from 10am to 1pm in classroom ZB 406. Assessment includes a midterm exam, final exam, class participation, homework, and attendance. The course uses a class blog, Facebook group, and Google Voice to communicate. Topics covered include self-introductions, food, travel, business, and managing discussions.
This document provides information about a Conversational English course offered at Teachers College, Columbia University in the spring of 2015. The course is for students with intermediate English proficiency and focuses on developing speaking and listening skills through interactive tasks, role-plays and presentations. It meets on Fridays from 10am to 1pm in classroom ZB 406. Assessment includes a midterm exam, final exam, class participation, homework, and attendance. The course uses a class blog, Facebook group, and Google Voice to communicate. Topics covered include self-introductions, food, travel, business, and managing discussions.
This document provides information about a Conversational English course offered at Teachers College, Columbia University in the spring of 2015. The course is for students with intermediate English proficiency and focuses on developing speaking and listening skills through interactive tasks, role-plays and presentations. It meets on Fridays from 10am to 1pm in classroom ZB 406. Assessment includes a midterm exam, final exam, class participation, homework, and attendance. The course uses a class blog, Facebook group, and Google Voice to communicate. Topics covered include self-introductions, food, travel, business, and managing discussions.
This document provides information about a Conversational English course offered at Teachers College, Columbia University in the spring of 2015. The course is for students with intermediate English proficiency and focuses on developing speaking and listening skills through interactive tasks, role-plays and presentations. It meets on Fridays from 10am to 1pm in classroom ZB 406. Assessment includes a midterm exam, final exam, class participation, homework, and attendance. The course uses a class blog, Facebook group, and Google Voice to communicate. Topics covered include self-introductions, food, travel, business, and managing discussions.
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1/ 6
Conversational English - Level 2
Community English Program Spring, 2015
Teachers College, Columbia University Instructor: Jean Park and Michele Helm E-mail: Jean - hjp2120@tc.columbia.edu Michele - mmh2212@tc.columbia.edu Level: 2 Classes: Friday Class time: 10:00AM-1:00PM Classroom: ZB 406 Course Description: The Conversational English course is designed for students with intermediate level proficiency. It provides students with an opportunity to develop and strengthen speaking and listening skills needed in both formal and informal encounters. Through interactive tasks, role-plays, and presentations, students will build up fluency, accuracy, and appropriateness in a range of communicative situations. About the CEP
The Community Language Program (CLP) is a unique and integral part of the TESOL and Applied Linguistics Programs at Teachers College, Columbia University. It provides English as a second language and foreign language instruction to adult learners of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. In addition, the CLP serves as an on- site language education lab in which TESOL and Applied Linguistics faculty and students enrolled in the programs teach the courses and use the CLP as a setting for empirical inquiry. Here at Teachers College we believe that observation and classroom research are the best way to learn about how we teach and gain insights into how teaching might take place. Thus, we encourage observation and classroom research and want people to use it as a tool for learning. Ongoing assessment and program evaluation allow us to make the CLP a better program.
Important dates: Week 1
February 20
First day of class
Week 4 Week 5 Week 9 Week 10
February 20 March 20 March 27 April May 1
Last day for refunds and transfers
Spring breakno class Midterm Exam Final exam Last day of class
Course Materials: Class blog: http://conversationalenglish2cep2015.weebly.com - Username: ce2clp2015@gmail.com - Password: 012345 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1051244991559036/ - Send a request to join the facebook group in order to receive updates on homework assignments. Google Voice: (646) 979-0062 Course Goal: The goal of this course is to prepare students to engage in pragmatically appropriate interactions in English.
Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students will be able to: Use specific vocabulary and appropriate spoken grammar typical of (accomplishing specific social tasks) social settings. Express comprehension skills through class conversations and podcasts. Demonstrate an understanding of basic pragmatics when speaking, including non-verbal conduct. Understand basic principles of turn-taking skills to initiate conversation, make interruptions, and switch topics. Course Requirements: Midterm: 30% Final test: 45% Attendance and Participation: 10% Homework: 15% Attendance Policy:
If a student misses 2 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course.
If the student is late for 4 classes, s/he cannot pass the course. If you must miss a class, please let one of the instructors know beforehand. It is up to you to find out what you missed. Please get the contact information of someone in the class. Name: Contact information: Grading: A+/-
Excellent
A+ 97 100%
A 94 96%
A- 90 93%
B+/-
Good
B+ 87 89%
B 84 86%
B- 80 83%
C+/-
Satisfactory (pass)
C+ 77 79%
C 73 76%
C- 70 72%
69% or Below
D 63 66%
D- 60 62%
Fail/Repeat
Poor (no pass)
Withdrawal (With permission from the teacher and the Director, the student withdrew from the course due to extenuating circumstances)
APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE Week
Theme
Speaking / Listening
Grammar
Homework
Test
Dates 1
Talking about Self
Introductions Greetings Small talk Listening for details
present tense
Email Jean or Michele
your self introduction for the blog (photo optional). Podcast: Making Mistakes NPR TED Radio Hour
Talking about Self
Food
Acceptable Topics/Unacceptable Topics Making inferences Cultural Discussion on Privacy Expressing feelings Ordering Requests (formal and informal) Descriptive language Food-related idiomatic expressions, Making restaurant recommendations and reservations
Food
expressing complaints (formal and informal)
Please check the facebook
group for homework updates. Podcast: The End of Privacy (subject to change)
Imperative Podcast: Extrasensory Modals (subject to change) Descriptive NP
Podcast: Misconceptions (subject to change)
Midter m after spring break
Week 5
Theme
Speaking / Listening
Grammar
Spring BreakNo Class
Homework
Test Dates
Podcast: TBD (subject to change) Google Voice - discuss what you did over spring break
Midterm Travel
describing places discussing previous travels asking for directions giving directions
Reported speech past tense
Podcast: To the Edge
Travel
making future plans
making flight and hotel reservations
future tense modals
Podcast: NPR: predicting the future (subject to change)
Managing Discussions
facts and opinions
encouraging and discouraging supporting someone elses idea resolving conflicts
Podcast: Just a little
nicer
Business
interviews selling yourself etiquette networking
Podcast: From curiosity
to discovery
Final Exam Review 10
Murder Mystery Train Final Exam
Podcast:None Studycharactersheet willpostonline
11 Graduation Murder Mystery Train - Final Act Program Policies:
Final Examnext week Final Exam: April 24
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) for information about registering with the office. You can reach OASID by email at oasid@tc.columbia.edu, stop by 163 Thorndike Hall or call 212-678-3689. Services are available only to students who are registered and submit appropriate documentation. As your instructor, I am happy to discuss specific needs with you as well. It is the policy of Teachers College to respect its members observance of their major religious holidays. Students should notify instructors at the beginning of the semester about their wishes to observe holidays on days when class sessions are scheduled. Where academic scheduling conflicts prove unavoidable, no student will be penalized for absence due to religious reasons, and alternative means will be sought for satisfying the academic requirements involved. If a suitable arrangement cannot be worked out between the student and the instructor, students and instructors should consult the Program Director. If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the Provost. Have a great semester!
