High Beginner Conversation

Fall 2010: October 4th to November 19th

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 7-8:30 pm

*No classes October 20th-October 26th due to midterm exams at KAIST*

Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz

Office: Room 1118
Office Hours: M, T, W, TH 1-4 pm, and by appointment
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://suzannesclassroom.com/moodle

Required Textbook:
Interchange 1B – 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 cultural 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, you must
notify me by e-mail or leave a voice mail. It is your responsibility to find out what you
missed in class and to complete missing assignments.

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 before class. It
1
 is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class and to complete missing
assignments.

2) Be on time
 You are expected to show up to class on time. As I am in class and ready to teach on
time, I expect you to be in the classroom ready to learn on time.
 Unless you tell me before hand that you will be late for class, anybody who shows up
to class after 15 minutes will be considered absent.
 If no one shows up to class in the first 20 minutes of class, class will be automatically
cancelled.

3) 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.

4) 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 don’t understand something or need repetition. There are NO dumb
questions!
 In other words, just participate!

5) Language
Use English. 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 Weekly Schedule

Week/Date Topic
Week One
Day 1 Placement Test

Day 2 Introductions/Class syllabus

What does she look like? Asking about and

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 Day 3 describing people’s appearance; identifying people.
Task #1- Describing a picture to the rest of the
class
Week Two Have you ever ridden a camel? Describing past
Day 4 experiences; exchanging information about past
experiences and events.
Day 5
Task # 2: Being able to describe a past
Day 6 event/experience in the past that is meaningful
for you.
Week Three It’s a very exciting place! Asking about and
Day 7 describing cities; asking for and giving suggestions;
Day 8 talking about travel and tourism.

Task #3: Creating a travel brochure about a

Day 9
place someone should visit in Korea or in the
world.

*No classes October 20-October 26th because of

midterm exams at KAIST*
Week Four It really works! Talking about health problems;
Day 10 asking for and giving advice; making requests;
Day 11 asking for and giving suggestions.

Task #4: Doing a group role-play asking and

Day 12
giving advice on health procedures.
Week Five May I take your order? Expressing likes and
Day 13 dislikes; agreeing and disagreeing; ordering a meal.
Day 14
Day 15 Task #5: “Plan a menu”: Creating a menu of
dishes and restaurant role-play
Week Six A change for the better! Exchanging personal
Day 16 information; describing changes; talking about
Day 17 plans for the future.

Task #6: “My possible future”: Planning a

Day 18
possible future