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Learning Objectives

Listening
  • to enable a non-native speaker of English to
    • follow an academic lecture or discussion at a university level
    • take clear and organized notes containing the key points of a lecture
    • obtain both gist and specific points from an academic lecture
    • distinguish relevant points from irrelevant detail
    • distinguish main points from supporting detail
    • expand his or her understanding of vocabulary from the AWL
Reading
  • to enable a non-native speaker of English to
    • read quickly for gist
    • distinguish explicit and implicit meaning within a text
    • use context to grasp the meaning of unfamiliar words
    • summarize the main points of a text
    • select relevant detail within a text to support a point
    • recognize cohesive devices in order to understand the connection of ideas within a text
    • expand his or her understanding of vocabulary from the AWL
Writing
  • to enable a non-native speaker of English to
    • compose a 5-paragraph Comparison/Contrast essay with a clearly stated thesis and fully developed supporting argument.
    • compose a 5-paragraph Cause and Effect essay with a clearly stated thesis and fully developed supporting argument.
    • use relevant source materials to support a point
    • properly cite these sources according to APA formatting guidelines.
    • use a formal style appropriate for academic compositions
    • paraphrase and summarize the ideas of others
Speaking
  • to enable a non-native speaker of English to
    • prepare and deliver a clear oral presentation on an academic subject
    • participate in and lead classroom discussion on a variety of academic subjects.

Organization

Listening
  • Live and recorded lectures, videos, and podcasts on a variey of academic subjects
  • Note-taking and summary
  • Weekly listening quizzes
  • Practice exams
Reading
  • Analyzing articles, essays, and academic journals
  • Reading and analyzing works of short fiction
  • Note-taking and summary
  • Weekly reading quizzes
  • Practice exams
Writing
  • Writing 5-paragraph Comparison Contrast essays
  • Writing 5-paragraph Cause and Effect essays
  • Weekly Independent Writing Assignments 
Speaking
  • Oral Presentations (individual and group)
  • Participating in class discussions class relating to lectures, articles, novels, etc
Grammar
  • Independent study grammar assignments
  • Weekly grammar quizzes

Grading

Class Work

Category Percentage
Grammar 10%
Speaking 10%
Reading 20%
Listening 20%
Writing 40%
  100%

Final Exam

Category Percentage
Reading 25%
Listening 25%
Writing 50%
  100%

Final Grading

Category Percentage
Class Work 50%
Exam 50%
  100%

Students must have a final grade of 60% or higher in order to successfully complete the course.

A score of 50% on the writing section is required in order to pass the final exam, regardless of the overall percentage.