High Beginner Conversation

Winter 2010: December 27th -January 28th 2011

Class 1: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 am-11am
Class 2: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 7pm-9pm

Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz

Office: Room 1118
Office Hours: T, TH 2-5 pm, and by appointment
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://suzannesclassroom.com/moodle

Required Textbook:
Interchange 1B – Third Edition by Jack Richards (Cambridge Press)

Course Description and Objectives:

While primarily a conversation course, this course will also focus on the other three skills:
listening, reading, and writing. This course will also help the student improve speaking skills by
exploring various cultural topics of interest in depth. We will use the exercises in the textbook as
well as various worksheets, audio and videotapes, listening dictation, and class discussion. The
course offers extensive conversation and speaking practice through the use of a variety of
learning techniques, including group and pair exercises. The course will also help students
develop and organize their ideas, which will increase their confidence and, in turn, will help with
their speaking.

Course Requirements
1) Attend classes
 You must attend class regularly. Except emergencies or valid excuses, you must attend
70% of the classes to pass.
 You must come to class on time.
 If you know you will miss a class because of an emergency and/or illness, you must
notify me by e-mail or leave a voice mail. It is your responsibility to find out what you
missed in class and to complete missing assignments.

2) Be on time
 You are expected to show up to class on time. As I am in class and ready to teach on
time, I expect you to be in the classroom ready to learn on time.
 Unless you tell me before hand that you will be late for class, anybody who shows up
to class after 15 minutes will be considered absent.
 3 times you are late= 1 absence
  If no one shows up to class in the first 20 minutes of class, class will be automatically
cancelled.

3) Be prepared
 You must attend class regularly and complete all assignments.
 Bring all the things you need for the class: textbook, pens, pencils, dictionary, notebook,
homework, questions, etc.
 Turn off your cell phones (including vibrator tone) before coming to class and cell
phones must not visibly be seen (no text messaging in class).
 If you must accept a cell phone call in class, please step outside of the classroom, so
you will not disturb the class.

4) Participate
 You must actively participate in class and be cooperative and supportive of your
classmates, as well as be respectful to me.
 Everybody can participate and enjoy themselves during this course. If you do not
participate, then you cannot improve. The best way to learn English is to participate.
Share your ideas and beliefs, have an opinion, agree and disagree.
 Ask questions if you don’t understand something or need repetition. There are NO dumb
questions!
 In other words, just participate!

5) Language
Use English. The use of Korean in class will not help you improve your English abilities, so
using and speaking Korean is highly discouraged during class.

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. I invite each of you to
come to my office if you have any questions, concerns, or if you would just like to chat.

Tentative Weekly Schedule

Week/Date Topic
Week One
Day 1 Placement Test

Day 2 Introductions/Class syllabus

What does she look like? Asking about and

Day 3 describing people’s appearance; identifying people.
Task #1- Describing a picture to the rest of the
class
Week Two It’s a very exciting place! Asking about and
Day 4 describing cities; asking for and giving suggestions;
Day 5 talking about travel and tourism.

Task #2: Creating a travel brochure about a

Day 6
place someone should visit in Korea or in the
 world.

Week Three It really works! Talking about health problems;

Day 7 asking for and giving advice; making requests;
Day 8 asking for and giving suggestions.

Task #3: Doing a group role-play asking and

Day 9
giving advice on health procedures.
Week Four May I take your order? Expressing likes and
Day 10 dislikes; agreeing and disagreeing; ordering a meal.
Day 11
Day 12 Task #4: “Plan a menu”: Creating a menu of
dishes and restaurant role-play
Week Five A change for the better! Exchanging personal
Day 13 information; describing changes; talking about
Day 14 plans for the future.

Task #5: “My possible future”: Planning a

Day 15
possible future