CMV Syllabus

Course Description: This course will cover the use of conversational English in an interactive manner. Although it will consider some finer points of grammar along with perhaps some content (history, etc) it will focus primarily on better understanding the English language through reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Course Requirements: Each student will complete four assignments, one concerning each of the four skills listed in the preceding paragraph. In addition, students are expected to attend EACH class and participate actively, this means that students read the assigned work, listen to the teacher/DVDs, write an answer to a prompt, and speak in class. Don’t be intimidated by other students! Everyone needs to participate!

Course Regulations: Students must understand that respect goes both ways. If the students show ample respect for the teacher, the teacher will reciprocate and show the student tremendous respect. Students do not need to ask the teacher’s permission to take a restroom break; they need only leave quietly without disrupting the class. Students who take long and frequent restroom breaks, for example, are not likely to be respected. Students will observe the “English-only” policy and only use Romanian (with teacher’s permission) to translate for other students. Students are permitted to have bottled water only during class, soda cans, for example, are prohibited. Food is strongly discouraged (not permitted on the day of the exams), but usually permitted so long as it does not distract from the lesson (wrapping noises) and the student does not speak with food in their mouth. When the teacher is talking, no one else does. When another student is talking, only the teacher, rarely, can interrupt to ask a question. Students will address the professor as “teacher,” “Mr. Guest,” or “Mr. MEG.” Students will stand to speak, and may be asked to speak even when they do not want to speak.

Grades will be based on four scores, in which the student’s ability/effort in listening, writing, reading, and speaking English is covered, in addition to a classroom participation grade. Students who do not attend class will receive a “2” for classroom participation, and will not be as prepared for the four exams. Students are allowed one unexcused absence on any period OTHER THAN one of the FOUR exam dates, anything further will result in a “2” for the class participation grade. The grade breakdown is as follows:

First Semester:

50%  Reading Exam             50%  Writing Exam

Second Semester:

50%  Listening Exam            50%  Speaking Exam

Class participation is not a grade by itself, rather it can bolster or weaken a student’s grade—both for the semester and the year. Students with a high class participation number will strengthen their overall score; students with a low class participation number will diminish their overall score.

Prior to each of the four exams, students will receive practice in each area, sometimes simultaneous learning will result. For example, students may be asked to both listen and write, or read and write, etc. The exam will demonstrate the student’s level of proficiency in each area.

As this course is not content-driven, that is, no overarching themes or single subject, plagiarism and academic dishonesty is not a major concern. Even so, students who cheat during the written, listening, or reading exam will receive a “2” for the exam. Students who disrupt others on the speaking exam will receive a diminished score for their grade. Don’t do it; it is not worth it!

Elements of the Course (including but not limited to)

Crack the Passage: Students are given a small paragraph (or a few sentences) and are asked to ascertain its meaning by carefully studying the words, tone, etc. Students should expect to see CTP every two weeks. Reading and speaking skills are most tested here, as the CTPs should provide excellent practice for the reading and speaking exams. Students must read the passage carefully and comment on it appropriately. The teacher will ask students to stand (while participating) and evaluate the passage. CTPs will involve non-contemporary American culture, for example, history, movie lines, famous quotes, etc. The teacher hopes the students enjoy the CTPs, with comprehension (plus some bonus content) as the #1 goal. CTPs will frequently be supplemented by a classroom discussion of an MEG demonstration with the teacher introducing the reading.

Writing Prompt: Students are given a brief prompt, spoken fairly quickly (for listening purposes, repeated as needed), and are asked to write constructively and substantially on the topic or question for a specified amount of time. Listening and writing skills are most tested here, as the WPs should provide excellent practice for the listening and writing exams. WPs will involve simpler English using topics already understood by the students, either from Romania/Europe or contemporary American culture. Students are encouraged to provide sound reasoning in addition to their opinion on the chosen topics. WPs are often supplemented by audio clips from DVDs to improve listening skills.

Formal v. Informal English: Students will discover the differences between the two, appropriate times for each, through a series of 3-minute DVD practices and MEGs.

Requirements: attend the course, read when applicable, and as ever, think. Evaluation will be in terms of the student’s constant and dedicated effort to complete the work required and to do so in a satisfactory matter. Note: the aggregate totals calculated in the above percentage may not reflect the final grade to be inserted in the catalogue, as stated earlier.

Course Schedule and Assignments (Note: Week 1 begins with the first class):

Week 1:     Crack the Passage      

Week 2:     Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Formal)

Week 3:     Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 4:     Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Informal)

Week 5:    EXAM #1   (READING)

Week 6:     Writing Prompt            MEG Reading      (Informal)

Week 7:     Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 8:     Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Formal)

Week 9:     Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 10:  EXAM #2   (WRITING)

Week 11:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Formal)

Week 12:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Informal)

Week 13:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading      (Formal)

Week 14:   Writing Prompt            MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 15:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 16:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Formal)

Week 17:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading      (Informal)

Week 18:   Writing Prompt            MEG Reading (Formal)

Week 19:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 20:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Informal)

Week 21:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Formal)

Week 22:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Formal)

Week 23:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 24:  EXAM #3   (LISTENING)

Week 25:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 26:   Writing Prompt            MEG Reading (Formal)

Week 27:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 28:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Informal)

Week 29:  EXAM #4   (SPEAKING)

Week 30:   Writing Prompt            MEG Reading (Formal)

Week 31:   Crack the Passage               MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 32:   Writing Prompt            DVD Practice (Formal)

Week 33:   Crack the Passage/Student   MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 34:   Writing Prompt            MEG Reading (Informal)

Week 35:   Crack the Passage/Student   MEG Reading/Student Selection

Week 36:   TBA                           TBA

Syllabus form inspired by Reuben Man, U. S. Peace Corps (ROM) 2003-2007