Instructor J. E. Seibert

• Office 209 Kaneko
• E-mail jseibert Phone 3302
• Office hours: Thursdays 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment

What are the purposes of this course?

• To help you improve your ability to understand spoken English by recognizing the pronunciation of English speakers
• To help you improve your ability to speak English so other people can understand you
• To help you speak in a way that English speakers will feel comfortable speaking with you

What will you learn about English?

• Saying vowels and consonants
• Stress in words
• Rhythm and intonation

How will you learn?

• Listening to short explanations by the professor
• Practicing in class as a group and in pairs
• Doing very short skits and presentations
• Practicing and studying the textbook outside of class
• Listening to CDs that accompany the text
• There will often be a short quiz at the beginning of class

Homework: You need to study and practice in order to learn. Spend 30 minutes each day, seven days each week.

General Course Requirement and Class Rules

• Attend and actively participate in all classes. If you cannot come to class, call or E-mail me BEFORE class.
• If you miss class, whatever the reason, YOU are responsible for everything we learned and practiced . Send your homework to me with another student; it is still due the day you miss. Ask classmates to take notes for you. See me if you need more help, but I will not repeat the entire class for you privately.
• Do not walk in and out of class. Go to the restroom before class or during the 5 minute break.
• Bring your textbook, all handouts from the semester, and dictionaries.
• No chewing gum, drinking or eating in class. It makes it hard to practice English.
• Complete all in-class and homework assignments at a satisfactory level or above.
• Pass quizzes and tests.
• Use English in class and encourage others to use English. Please speak English 97.145927% of the time.
• Cooperate with your classmates and encourage your classmates.

Grades

• There is no make-up of quizzes and tests unless the student contacts me BEFORE class and has a very good reason for missing a quiz or test.
• Final grades can be A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, or F.
• Each assignment will have a point value; smaller assignments and quizzes will be worth fewer points and major assignments and exams will be worth more points. At the end of the semester:
  • "A"s are 90% and above
  • "B"s are 80%-89%
  • "C"s are 70%-79%
  • 69% or below = "F"
• At the end of the semester, if you are between two grades, you will get the higher grade if you tried hard to do your best and participated actively in class.
• You can check your grade any time using the course website and a password.
• Students who do average work will receive "C's". A few students may receive "A's" if they do outstanding work throughout the course. Students who do below average or unsatisfactory work will receive "F's". Everyone can do well if he or she studies hard.
• Students who miss 20% or more of the class hours (about five days) will receive an "F" and will not get credit. This is TIUA policy. Also,
  • Three late arrivals equal one absence.
  • You are absent if you are asleep in class. You will also be asked to leave.
  • You will be marked absent if you arrive more than about 20 minutes late.

Text (provided by TIUA)

• Focus on Pronunciation by Linda Lane (Longman 2005)

Success

I will do everything possible to help you succeed in this course, but you are in control of your success and your future.