Welcome to Cheryl's Classroom!
We are going to do a lot of interesting things while learning and using English!

I believe you have been studying English very hard for some years. It is likely you have memorized a lot of vocabulary and sentence patterns. In College English you will USE what you have learned and build upon it. It will be an active class and I hope you can have some fun as you participate in the learning activities. I am here to guide you and teach you, but it is now more about you making English happen for yourself.

The course objectives will be addressed through learning and thinking about topics and issues of social and cultural importance from the textbook and other materials. You will read articles, watch TED Talks, and discuss ideas. New vocabulary and learning skills will be presented and practiced. With this knowledge, you will be asked to consider your own opinions about the topics, find related information that you are interested in and present short talks to the class.

Please note three important points that guide the course:
1.    Students are urged to participate actively in group discussions, and are encouraged to express their own views on topics covered in class in their written and oral work.
2.    Education is a social process
3.    English class should not be scary or intimidating.
4.    We are all gathering to learn together.
5.    It is possible to work hard and have fun while learning.
6.    The class is conducted in English, but please read the “Language Policy” below*.

Course Objectives 課程目標
College English I is designed to help students learn and use English used in social and academic environments. Some specific goals which will be addressed during the course are:
    Listening: To use English in social, broadcast and academic situations relevant to the teaching materials. Strategies such as listening for examples and time periods, previewing, taking notes, getting main idea, etc. will be taught.
    Speaking: To converse in English on topics related to course materials and daily life. Specific skills including how to carry on a conversation, narrate an event, participate in pair/group discussions, and give a group presentation.
    Reading: Strategies, including vocabulary building, scanning, skimming, guessing meaning from context, and identifying main ideas and supporting details to name a few.
    Writing: Sentence level work, summarizing, and paraphrasing.

It is expected that students will become accustomed to using English in a classroom situation and gain confidence in English, especially their speaking and writing. They will be able to write professional emails in English. Students will learn reading strategies and the fundamentals of reading-based writing as they build vocabulary used in genuine articles published in a variety of electronic media. They will work together in pairs and small groups to produce texts and multimedia presentations.

每周課堂教學時數： 2 小時

每周預習/複習時數： 2 小時

It is not very difficult to do well in this class. You need to:
    Come to class prepared every week on time.
    Check your email and the Moodle platform regularly.
    ASK QUESTIONS!
    Participate actively in pair/group discussions
    Take responsibility for your own learning: Preview the semester schedule and plan your time
    Be a good classmate during group work
    Communicate professionally with your instructor and course assistant

International students are welcome, but you are expected to attend all classes and abide by the NCCU schedule and the deadlines for assignments on the course schedule, just like everyone else.

Homework, Assignments, and Projects
INSURANCE POLICY:
KEEP ALL YOUR WORK UNTIL AFTER THE FINAL SEMESTER GRADES ARE POSTED!!
•    Always write the following at the TOP RIGHT CORNER of any paper you give me:
o    Chinese Name & English (or Romanized) Name
o    Your student number
o    Your College English day and class period (i.e. Tue. 56)
o    The date the assignment is due.
•    Complete homework assignments and reading BEFORE arriving for class.
o    Late homework penalty: For each day past the deadline, the grade will be cut by 25%.
o    Late homework will not be given feedback or comments.
•    You are responsible for handing in assignments on time (even if you are absent the week before) and finding out about homework assignments on any day you are absent.
o    Ask a responsible classmate you trust or email me for information.
o    If someone gives you the wrong information, it cannot be redone.
•    PAPER FOR HOMEWORK:
o    ONLY B5 OR A4 SIZE PAPER ACCEPTED FOR ANY WRITTEN WORK.
o    ONLY A4 ACCEPTED FOR TYPED WORK
o    If you hand me messy work on a torn piece of paper, I will give it back you ungraded.

Quizzes CANNOT BE MADE UP IF MISSED. Exams may only be made up or rescheduled for serious health or family emergencies. Family trips are not family emergencies.

Attendance and tardiness:
The most important thing is that you SHOW UP ON TIME FOR CLASS!
I will take attendance almost every week!:
    Attendance points
o    2 points: Present when role is taken.
o    1 point: Late—you must tell me you have arrived at the break or you will be counted absent.
o    0 points: Absent for one period (first or second) or two periods.
    Excused absence (0 points, but no penalty):
o    Certain activities—representing NCCU in sports, music, or other event.
o    Illness: Bring receipt or documentation from doctor or hospital.
o    Family situation—please inform me in advance or as soon as possible.
    Unexcused absence: No show, no communication, and no points
o    FOUR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN FAILING GRADE
o    SIX ABSENCES OF ANY KIND WILL RESULT IN FAILING GRADE

Grading
Final grades will be heavily based on classroom participation and homework/regular preparation. There will also be midterm and final exams, writing assignments, or presentations. All materials, including the written text, handouts, and any information spoken in class or written on the board will potentially be included on quizzes. Take notes. Keep all of the work you do during the course until after the final grades have been announced.

Final grades will be determined by the following:
•    Attendance: 20%
•    Homework & Presentations: 30%
•    Midterm: 25%
•    Final: 25%

During class
•    Please respect your classmates and teacher during and after class.
•    Do not eat or sleep in class.
•    Do not spend time with social texting in class. Whatever it is can wait until break-time.
•    Do not interrupt class by answering your cell phone.
o    Note: I only answer my phone in class if my son is calling me.

*Language policy:
This course is conducted in English and since it is a language course, students are expected to make their presentations and write assignments in English. I also hope that all students participate and work in English during class. However, there are times when you will need to use your first language to help you start assignments and to confirm your understanding. That is fine. Please just try your best to work in English in the class. The sooner you start working on your topics in English, the sooner you will gain confidence in your ability.

If you have a problem or concern you need to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to speak with me in Chinese. I can also read Chinese, so you may write email to me in Chinese, but including English will be helpful.


Plagiarism and cheating
If any student is found to have copied any part of an assignment from any other source, the student will get a “0” for that assignment and be asked to do it again. If a student is caught plagiarizing a second time, he/she will fail the course. If any student is found to have cheated on a quiz or test, the same policy will stand.

Special needs
If any student has any special needs due to a physical or mental handicap, please let me know so that any arrangements can be made to facilitate your success in this class.

上課進度
This schedule is tentative. Each section will be adjusted based on the semester schedule and class needs.
105:1-College English I: (Updates will be announced in class, on Moodle, or by email.)
Class

Teacher: Cheryl Sheridan 謝思蕾
Email: Sheridan@nccu.edu.tw

    Topic    Agenda        Homework & due dates
1
    Welcome    How to write an email to your professor    Write email on paper form.    
    Introduction
TED 1    Textbook
    Syllabus Activity    ¼ class 5-minute questions
2    TED 1            Email worksheet due
¼ class 5-minute questions
3
    TED 1            ¼ class 5-minute questions
4
    TED 2            Video Worksheet 1 due
¼ class 5-minute questions
5
    TED 2            ¼ class 5-minute questions
6
    TED 3            Video Worksheet 2 due
¼ class 5-minute questions
7
    TED 3            ¼ class 5-minute questions
8
    Midterm Exam            Video Worksheet 2 due
¼ class 5-minute questions
9
    TED 4            ¼ class 5-minute questions
10    TED 4            ¼ class 5-minute questions
11
    TED 4
Culture 1            Video Worksheet 2 due
¼ class 5-minute questions
12
    Culture 1            ¼ class 5-minute questions
13
    Culture 2            ¼ class 5-minute questions
14
    Culture 3            ¼ class 5-minute questions
15
    Projects            ¼ class 5-minute questions
16
    Presentations            
17
    Final Exam            
18
    Final Exam

Office Hours:Wednesday 10:00-12:00
You may also email me to make an appointment    
Office phone     2939-3091 x 69510
Office location    研究暨創新育成總中心510室    
Email    sheridan@nccu.edu.tw

Teaching assistant

-will be responsible for recording attendance and homework grades in Excel file keeping it up to date.
-will do preparation tasks such as scan documents, make photocopies, and prepare activity materials, etc.
-will help grade homework, exams, and tally final presentation scores.

PLEASE PURCHASE AT THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE ASAP!

Title: 21st Century Reading: Creative Thinking and Reading with TED Talks Book 4 (2015)
Authors: Laurie Blass and Jessica Williams
Publisher: National Geographic Learning / CENGAGE Learning