Advanced Conversation Spring 2017 CLP

Community Language Program

Teachers College, Columbia University

Instructor: He Ting (Vivian) Hong

E-mail: hh2619@tc.columbia.edu
Classes: Tuesdays and Fridays
Class time: 11:30AM-1PM
Classroom: Tuesdays, GDH361; Fridays, HM432
* Feb. 24, GDH541; Apr. 7, TBA
*Office hours will be held right after class or by appointment

Course Description:
The Advanced Conversational English course is designed for students with advanced level
proficiency. It provides students with an opportunity to strengthen speaking and listening
skills needed in both formal and informal encounters. Through presentations, interactive
tasks, role-plays, and discussions, students will practice fluency, accuracy, and
appropriateness in a range of communicative situations.

About the CEP

The Community Language Program (CLP) is a unique and integral part of the TESOL
and Applied Linguistics Programs at Teachers College, Columbia University. It provides
English as a second language and foreign language instruction to adult learners of
diverse nationalities and backgrounds. In addition, the CLP serves as an on-site
language education lab in which TESOL and Applied Linguistics faculty and students
enrolled in the programs teach the courses and use the CLP as a setting for empirical
inquiry. Here at Teachers College we believe that observation and classroom research
are the best way to learn about how we teach and gain insights into how teaching might
take place. Thus, we encourage observation and classroom research and want people to
use it as a tool for learning. Ongoing assessment and program evaluation allow us to
make the CLP a better program.

Important dates:

Week 1 Tuesday, Feb. 7 First day of class

Friday, Feb. 10 Last day for level consultation

Week 2 Wednesday, Feb. 15 Last day for refunds

Week 5 Tuesday, Mar. 7 Midterm Exam

Week 6 Monday-Friday, Mar. 13-17 Spring Break: NO CLASSES

Week 11 Tuesday, Apr. 5 Final Presentations

Friday, Apr. 21 Last day of class

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Course Materials:
There are no required books for this course. Instructor will provide all materials.

Course Objectives:
At the end of the course, students will be able to

1. Engage in conversations, discussions, and presentations on a wide range of topics,

including abstract topics and current events.
2. Interact with accuracy and fluency using appropriate conversational structures.
3. Adapt their speech production and interactions to formal and informal situations as
well as socially sensitive interactions.

Course Requirements:
Midterm: 30%
Final Project: 45%
Attendance and Participation: 10%
Homework: 15%
Learning Journal: Students are required to keep a running record of their learning
gains outside and in the classroom. Entries in the learning journal may include, but
are not limited to, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar points, corrective feedback,
etc. In addition, students will have a chance to present one entry every Tuesday.

Attendance Policy:
If a student misses 2 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course.
If a student is late for 4 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course.

Grading:
A+/- Excellent A+ 97 100% A 94 96% A- 90 93%
B+/- Good B+ 87 89% B 84 86% B- 80 83%
C+/- Satisfactory (pass) C+ 77 79% C 73 76% C- 70 72%
Fail/Repeat Poor 69% or Below D 63 66% D- 60 62%

Withdrawal (With the permission of both the teacher and the

W Director, the student withdrew from the course due to extenuating
circumstances)

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Program Policies

Accommodations: The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with
documented disabilities. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and
Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) for information about registering with the
office. You can reach OASID by email at oasid@tc.columbia.edu, stop by 163 Thorndike
Hall or call 212-678-3689. Services are available only to students who are registered and
submit appropriate documentation. As your instructor, I am happy to discuss specific
needs with you as well.

Religious holidays: It is the policy of Teachers College to respect its members

observance of their major religious holidays. Students should notify instructors at the
beginning of the semester about their wishes to observe holidays on days when class
sessions are scheduled. Where academic scheduling conflicts prove unavoidable, no
student will be penalized for absence due to religious reasons, and alternative means will
be sought for satisfying the academic requirements involved. If a suitable arrangement
cannot be worked out between the student and the instructor, students and instructors
should consult the Program Director. If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to
the Provost.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Reporting: Teachers College is committed to

maintaining a safe environment for students. Because of this commitment and because of
federal and state regulations, we must advise you that if you tell any of your instructors
about sexual harassment or gender-based misconduct involving a member of the campus
community, your instructor is required to report this information to the Title IX Coordinator,
Janice Robinson. She will treat this information as private, but will need to follow up with
you and possibly look into the matter. The Ombuds officer for Gender-Based Misconduct
is a confidential resource available for students, staff, and faculty. Gender-based
misconduct includes sexual assault, stalking, sexual harassment, dating violence,
domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and gender-based harassment. For more
information, see http://sexualrespect.columbia.edu/gender-based-misconduct-policy-
students.

Lets have a great semester!

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Tentative Schedule

Communication
Week # Theme Language Focus Note
Strategy

1
Habits Asking for repetition N/A
(2/7 & 2/10)

2 Ordering food Presentation

Me Bag Speech Showing interest
(2/14 & 2/17) Giving advice #1

3 Apologizing
Personality Hesitation strategies
(2/21 & 2/24) Making requests

4 Making invitations
Traveling Self-monitoring
(2/28 & 3/3) Thanking people

Midterm:
5
Food Talking around a word Complaining Tuesday,
(3/7 & 3/10)
Mar. 7

6
SPRING BREAK: NO CLASSES
(3/13 3/17)

7 Presentation
Hometowns Asking for clarification Email writing
(3/21 & 3/24) #2

8
Secrets Hedging Complimenting
(3/28 & 3/31)

9 Agreeing and
Social Media Sentence parts
(4/4 & 4/7) disagreeing

10
Comforting Using encouragers Making appointments
(4/11 & 4/14)

11 Presentation
Careers Reduced forms N/A
(4/18 & 4/21) #3