Lebow's ENG317

End of the Semester Note from Jeff

Dear ENG317’ers,

I hope summer break has gotten off to a great start for everyone.

I enjoyed teaching this course very much and thank you all for making it such an interesting semester.

Your grades are now online.  I tried to be as fair and generous as possible, but because I am required to give 30% C/C+’s and 35% B/B+’s, I had to give some of you lower grades than you deserved. The deciding factor between a ‘C+ and B+’ or ‘A and A+’, was often completion of assignments (e.g. entrance questionnaire, reading reports, resumes, etc.).  Overall, I was very pleased with the efforts most of you made this semester.  If it was totally up to me, I would have given more A’s, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t possible.

I will be continuing to experiment with language learning webcasts (like our final exam) this summer and beyond.  If you are interested in tuning in and/or participating and would like to receive emails about what’s happening, register for an account on Englishbridges at: http://englishbridges.net/user/register

I am scheduled to teach ENG220 next semester and I suspect many of you have already taken that course. Regardless, please feel free to stay in touch by dropping by my office some time or connecting via social media (my links are below).

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

Happy Summer,
Jeff

 

----Jeff’s Social Media Links-----

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Class Blog

Entrance Questionnaire here

Group Notes:  ENG317-2   ENG317-3

Pronunciation:   Minimal Pairs & Recordings   Practice Resources

 

Phrasal Verbs:  Lists & Activities

 

Reading Notes:   Eng317-2     Eng317-3

 

Food HandoutsKorean  Chinese   Japanese  Russian

 

All Discussion Questions:  1st half of the semester

 

 

Due:
 
(ENG317-2) Thursday, June 6

(ENG317-3)  Sunday, June 9

 


About this course

 

ENG317  

Practical English Conversation

Spring 2013



Instructor: Jeff Lebow
Office: IT508 Phone: 640-3708 Office Hours: Fridays 3pm`6pm or by appointment
Email: [email protected] Course Website: JeffLebow.net/eng317  ClassBlog: bufseng317.blogspot.com

I. Description:

This aim of this course is to help students develop their ability to participate in meaningful English conversations by improving their communicative strategies, functional vocabulary, and pronunciation skills. Students will actively engage with each other and with the instructor in an effort to improve their speaking skills in a variety of environments and contexts.

II. Course textbook

There is no textbook for this course. Materials will be posted on the course website and blog.  Sometimes handouts will be provided.  Other times, students will be expected to print out materials before class.  Students will sometimes be required to post reflections on the class blog.   We will use a Google Document for our Group Notes.  This will be used during class to record all new vocabulary.  Students are encouraged to contribute (translations and additional vocabulary) to this document after class.

III. Instruction Methods:

Each week, during our two hour block, we will cover one discussion topic. The topic will be introduced using handouts, videos, and/or other supplemental materials. Students will then discuss topics in small groups, with partners, and/or as a whole group. Topics include issues from daily life, society, technology, and lifestyle.  Students will have input into deciding which topics are discussed and in which order. During our one hour block each week, we will engage in a variety and language skill building activities (e.g. pronunciation accuracy, listening strategies, writing skills, and extensive reading).

IV. Grading
Students will be assessed according to the following criteria
40% Attendance & Participation
20% Assignments
20% Mid-Term
20% Final Exam

Grades will be distributed based on the required university quotas:  35% A’s, 35% B’s,  30% C’s

Instructor Notes
Please make every effort to arrive on time. Those arriving more than five minutes late will be marked tardy. Those more than 20 minutes late will be marked absent for that hour.  If you are absent, please check the course website for information about any assignments you are still expected to complete.  Please turn cell phones off unless they are being used as part of a class activity. This syllabus is subject to change according to the needs of class participants and with occasional schedule interruptions due to holidays, etc.