Reading Syllabus (first year)

Soochow University, 2000-2001, first semester,

Teacher: Giles Witton
Office hours: Thurs: 10:00 -12:00 , Fri:.10:00 - 12:00, P 107.
Coursebook: Mozaic 1, . Available from Crane books. Also, 5 or 6 novels to be read over
2 semesters (titles to be given in due course).
Aims:
to practice and improve reading skills in English.
to learn to read different texts in different ways.
to learn to read for overall meaning.
to improve the ability to explain and discuss what has been read.
to enjoy reading books in English.
to help make reading a lifelong habit.
Week / date
Week 1 Sept 25-29
Week 2: Oct 2-6
Week 3 Oct 9-13
Week 4 Oct 16-20
Week 5 Oct 23-27
Wk 6Oct 30-Nov 3
Week 7 Nov 6-10
Week 8 Nov 13-17
Week 9 Nov 20-24
Wk10Nov 27-Dec 1
Week 11 Dec 4- 8
Week 12: Dec 11- 15
Week 13: Dec 18- 22
Week 14: Dec 25-29
Week 15: Jan 1- 5
Week 16: Jan 8- 12

Topic / unit
Introduction
New challenges (1)
Looking at learning (2)
Relationships (3)
Health (4)
High tech, low tech (5)
Money matters (6)
Mid-term test:
Leisure time (7)
Creativity (8)
Human behaviour (9)
Crime and punishment (10)
The physical world (11)
Together on a small planet (12)
Review
Final exam:

Note: this syllabus is only a provisional and approximate guide to the course. Topics, and
the order they are covered in, may change as the semester progresses.
Attendence: it is important to come to every class. Students who miss more than 6
classes during the semester will fail the course.
Evaluation: this will be based on attendance and performance in class (30%), homework
assignments and essays (40%), and tests / exams (30%).

Conversation 1 Syllabus (first year)

Soochow University, 2000-2001, first semester,
Teacher: Giles Witton.
Office hours: Thurs: 10:00 -12:00 , Fri:.10:00 - 12:00, P 107.
Coursebook: Ideas and Issues Intermediate, by Olivia Johnston and Mark Farrel,
Chancerel Publishers, London. Available from Caves books.
Aims:
to practice and improve speaking and listening skills.
to learn to use English for communication in the classroom.
to overcome shyness and fear of speaking English.
Week / date
Week 1 Sept 25-29
Week 2: Oct 2-6
Week 3 Oct 9-13
Week 4 Oct 16-20
Week 5 Oct 23-27
Wk 6Oct 30-Nov 3
Week 7 Nov 6-10
Week 8 Nov 13-17
Week 9 Nov 20-24
Wk10Nov 27-Dec 1
Week 11 Dec 4- 8
Week 12: Dec 11- 15
Week 13: Dec 18- 22
Week 14: Dec 25-29
Week 15: Jan 1- 5
Week 16: Jan 8- 12

Topic / unit
Introduction
Family
Fashion
Beauty
Advertising
Commercials
Review
Mid-term test: oral 1
Discipline
Drink and drugs
Food
Art and artists
Christmas party
Film and TV
Review
Final exam: oral 2

Note: This syllabus is only a provisional and approximate guide to the course. Topics, and
the order they are covered in, are likely to change as the semester progresses.
Evaluation: based roughly on the following:
Classroom performance and participation (approximately 25%), presentations (approx.
25%), exams (approx. 40%), attendance (approx. 10%).
Attendence:
This is a course based around work in class, so Attendance is required at every session.
Grades will be lost for each absence, and if they MUST be absent for a class, students
should explain the reason BEFORE the class. Students who miss more than THREE
classes are likely to fail the course.

Situational Conversation Syllabus (second year)

Soochow University, 2000-2001, first semester,
Teacher: Giles Witton
Office hours: Thurs: 10:00 -12:00 , Fri:.10:00 - 12:00, P 107.
Coursebook: Conversation lessons, by Ron Martinez, published by LTP publishers,
available from Crane books.
Aims:
to practise and improve conversation skills, focusing on a variety of real-life situations.
to learn and practice new language for use in such situations.
to raise awareness of the need for appropriacy and suitable register (politeness,
formality, directness) when speaking English.
Week / date
Topic / unit
Week 1: Sept 18-22
Introduction. Asking personal questions.
Week 2: Sept 25-29
Questionnaire. Remembering (1).
Week 3: Oct 2-6
Decisions (2)
Week 4: Oct 9-13
Sketches 1
Week 5: Oct 16-20
Conversation taboos (6)
Week 6: Oct 23-27
Telling a story (10)
Wk 7:Oct 30-Nov 3 Drama presentations 1
Week 8: Nov 6-10
Comforting (14)
Week 9: Nov 13-17
Mid-term test:
Week 10: Nov 20-24 Sharing secrets (16)
Wk11:Nov 27-Dec 1 Angry with yourself (17)
Week 12: Dec 4- 8
Sketches 2
Week 13: Dec 11- 15 Taboos (18)
Week 14: Dec 18- 22 Avoiding commitment (25)
Week 15: Dec 25-29 Drama presentations 2
Week 16: Jan 1- 5
Surprise (28)
Week 17: Jan 8- 12
Final exam:
Note: This syllabus is only a provisional and approximate guide to the course. Topics, and
the order they are covered in, are likely to change as the semester progresses.
Evaluation: based roughly on the following:
Classroom performance and participation (approximately 25%), presentations / drama
(approx. 25%), exams (approx. 40%), attendance (approx. 10%).
Attendance:
This is a course based around work in class, so Attendance is required at every session.
Grades will be lost for each absence, and if they MUST be absent for a class, students
should explain the reason BEFORE the class. Students who miss more than THREE
classes are likely to fail the course.

Current Events and Issues Syllabus (second year)

Soochow University, 2000-2001, first semester,
Teacher: Giles Witton
Office hours: Thurs: 10:00 -12:00 , Fri:.10:00 - 12:00, P 107.
Coursebook: Ideas and Issues Advanced, by Lisa Gerard Sharp, Chancerel Publishers,
London. Available from Caves books.
Aims:
to use English for serious conversation, discussion, argument and debate.
to learn appropriate language and skills for the above.
to improve self-expression.
to increase awareness and interest in the outside world.
Week / date
Topic / unit
Week 1: Sept 18-22
Introduction.
Week 2: Sept 25-29
Crime (p.24)
Week 3: Oct 2-6
Abortion (p.14)
Week 4: Oct 9-13
Special topic 1
Week 5: Oct 16-20
Battle of the sexes (p.22)
Week 6: Oct 23-27
Group presentations
Wk 7:Oct 30-Nov 3 Role models (p.54)
Week 8: Nov 6-10
Special topic 2
Week 9: Nov 13-17
Mid-term test:
Week 10: Nov 20-24 War and peace (p.64)
Wk11:Nov 27-Dec 1 Addictions (p.16)
Week 12: Dec 4- 8
Special topic 3
Week 13: Dec 11- 15 Popular culture (p.53)
Week 14: Dec 18- 22 Individual speeches
Week 15: Dec 25-29 Youth culture and rights (p.70-73)
Week 16: Jan 1- 5
Special topic 4
Week 17: Jan 8- 12
Final exam:
Note: This syllabus is only a provisional and approximate guide to the course. Topics, and
the order they are covered in, are likely to change as the semester progresses.
Evaluation: based roughly on the following:
Classroom performance and participation (approximately 25%), presentations / speeches
(approx. 25%), exams (approx. 40%), attendance (approx. 10%).
Attendence:
This is a course based around work in class, so Attendance is required at every session.
Grades will be lost for each absence, and if they MUST be absent for a class, students
should explain the reason BEFORE the class. Students who miss more than THREE
classes are likely to fail the course.

ntermediate Conversation

Spring 2009
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm
Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz
Office: Room 1118
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
Office Hours: M, T, W, TH 1-4pm, and by appointment
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://englishexchange.pbwiki.com
Required Textbook:
Interchange 2A 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 contemporary 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, business
trip, or an unexpected change in plans, you must notify me by e-mail or leave a
voice mail before class. It is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class
and to complete missing assignments.

2) 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.

3) 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 dont understand something or need repetition. There are
NO dumb questions!
In other words, just participate!

4) Language
Use English. This course is a course in English conversation. 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 Daily Schedule
Week/Date
Day 1
Day 2

Topic
Introductions/Class syllabus
A time to remember: introducing yourself; talking
about yourself; exchanging personal information;
remembering your childhood; asking about
someones childhood.

Day 3

Talking about relationships, my memories,

yearbooks, class awards

Day 4

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 5
Day 6

Caught in the rush: talking about transportation

and transportation problems; evaluating city
services; asking for and giving information.

Day 7

Modern family trends; lifestyle changes; jobs

Day 8

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 9
Day 10

Time for a change! Describing positive and

negative features; making comparisons; talking
about lifestyle changes; expressing wishes.

Day 11

Describing your neighborhood; comparing

neighborhoods; jobs

Day 12

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 13
Day 14

Ive never heard of that! Talking about food;

expressing likes and dislikes; describing a favorite
snack; giving instructions.

Day 15

Describing foods; creating a menu and

advertisement for a new restaurant

Day 16

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 17
Day 18

Going places: Describing vacation plans; giving

travel advice; planning a vacation.

Day 19

Creating schedules and negotiating time to meet;

Day 20

predicting your future; trip experiences

Reading and discussion/video clip and
discussion

Day 21
Day 22

OK. No problem! Complaints; household chores;

Day 23
Day 24

Polite requests and giving advice

requests; excuses; apologies.

Reading and discussion/video clip and
discussion

Day 25
Day 26

Whats this for? Describing technology; giving

Day 27

The role of technology today; possible merits

instructions; giving suggestions.

and/or disadvantages; creating a web page

Day 28

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 29
Day 30

Lets celebrate! Describing holidays, festivals,

Day 31

Different kinds of parties; planning parties and

customs, and special events.

deciding which ones to attend; inventing a new

holiday.

Day 32

Reading and discussion/video clip and

discussion

Day 33
Day 34

Topic to be announced. (Group presentations)

Day 35
Day 36

Topic to be announced (Group presentations)

Day 37
Day 38

Topic to be announced (Group presentations)

Day 39
Day 40

Topic to be announced (Group presentations)

Last Class