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Listening Comprehension and Speaking for Academic Purposes
(English I and II)
Tokyo International University of America
Spring 2003
J. E. Seibert
Syllabus (Course Information)

Welcome and overview

• Welcome to Listening Comprehension and Speaking for Academic Purposes (English I and II).
• These two courses, Listening and Speaking, will be taught together. You will receive the same grade in both courses (listening and speaking)..
• These courses will help you improve your general English skills and develop your academic listening comprehension and speaking skills.

Contacting the instructor

Name: Professor J. E. Seibert

• E-mail address: jseibert@willamette.edu
• Office telephone number: 503-373-3302
• Office hours: Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m. or by appointment

Overview of the courses

• Listening and speaking topics and activities will center around the theme of cultural orientation and intercultural communication. Occasionally, guests from the campus and community will visit class.
• You will practice
  • understanding spoken English, including the grammar, pronunciation, and social and academic uses of English
  • speaking, including the grammar, pronunciation, and social and academic uses of English

Texts (bring them to class every day!)

Provided by TIUA

• Hemmert, Amy and Ged O'Connell. Communicating on Campus: Skills for Academic Speaking.
• Longman Advanced American Dictionary. (shared with your Reading/Writing class)
• Azar, Betty Schrampfer. Understanding and Using English Grammar . (shared with your Reading/Writing class)

You must have your own Japanese-English dictionary

General course requirements

• Attend and actively participate in all classes.
• Come to class. Bring your textbook, your grammar reference, and your dictionaries.
• 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.
• Cooperate with your classmates and encourage your classmates.

Grades

• You will receive two grades that will be the same, one for Listening Comprehension and one for Speaking.
• Final grades can be A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, or F.
• Each assignment will be given points; smaller assignments and quizzes receive fewer points and major assignments and exams receive more points. At the end of the semester:
  • "A"s are 90% and above
  • "B"s are 80% and above
  • "C"s are 70% and above
  • 69% or below = "F"
• 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". The course will not be too difficult for any student; everyone can do well if he or she studies hard.
• Students who miss 20% or more of the class hours (about six 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. Students in the U. S. do not sleep in class.
  • You will be marked absent if you arrive more than about 20 minutes late.

Special note about doing your own work

• Plagiarism will result in the students involved receiving an "F" on the assignment.
• Plagiarism is copying text or ideas from another student's work, or from a text or website, without giving credit.

Success

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