Welcome to our class!

Spring 2012, Communication and the Non-Native Speaker:   HUL 100

Ms. Nancy De Pas                         Tuesday and Thursday 3-4:30 room 217      

College Now: La Guardia Community College

 Required Texts and Materials:

·      Teacher created handouts and photocopies

·      Photocopies of excerpts from Accurate English by Rebecca Dauer and Beyond Language by Deena Levine and Mara Adelman

·      A good paper dictionary such as Longman Dictionary of American English or The American Heritage Dictionary for Learners of English

·      Flash drive and/or iPod type recording device to record interviews and speeches

Course Description:

         This is a course for advanced Newcomers HS students who want to improve their listening, speaking and communicative skills. This course is designed to help English Language Learners interact with native and non-native speakers of English more effectively and fluently in interpersonal, academic and business settings.  The sound systems and patterns of American English, along with cultural contexts of speech are addressed in class activities, homework, video clips, blog, dramatizations and speech presentations throughout the semester.  The course will use the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), along with exercises in listening and non-verbal communicative skills, to promote self-awareness, self-monitoring and accurate comprehension of English.

Objectives:

• Students will improve their pronunciation of Standard English
• Students will explore uses of audio technology and reflect on how such technology can help them improve their oral communication skills
• Students will learn to work collaboratively and give
  constructive feedback to their peers

Attendance:

         Attendance and participation are important aspects of an oral communication course. Be here, be here on time, be prepared.  Participate as much as possible and do your homework. If you miss three or more classes, your grade will be affected.  Three latenesses can considered one full absence.

         Assignments must be prepared and turned in on time.  Presentations or assignments will not be accepted after the due date. It is as important to be able to hear and see others’ presentations as it is to do one’s own.

GRADING:

                  Participation in class and completion of assignments are of primary importance.  Reading the text(s) every week is mandatory to maintain good discussion skills and to succeed in potential “pop” quizzes on the IPA communication concepts and definitions of terms.

Participation (attendance, exercises, discussion, quizzes)  40%

Speeches                                                                            20%

Assignments                                                                        20%

Exams and Final Project                                                     20%

                                                SYLLABUS …to follow

Week  1:  Introduction to the course; the IPA; class interviews. 

         Assignment for Thursday: “An embarrassing language experience” interview