High Intermediate Conversation

Summer 2010 (May 31st-July 23rd)

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30 am

Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz

Office: Room 1118
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
Office Hours: M, T, W, TH 1-2 pm and by appointment
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://suzannesclassroom.com/moodle

There is no required textbook for this class. The instructor will provide the materials.

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. Throughout the class, we will
also work on several projects and tasks that will help you develop and organize your ideas,
which will increase your confidence and, in turn, will help with your speaking.

Assignments for Class

Besides weekly participation on the class website, you may be asked to work together in groups
or pairs to complete in-class tasks and projects. Also, in order to prepare you for the Advanced
classes offered at KAIST Language Center, you may be asked to prepare a short (no longer than
5 minutes) informal presentation about yourself. This will be part of a class segment called
“Let’s get to know you!” and the topic of your presentation will be up to you. Do you have a
hidden talent? Have you gone on an interesting trip? Do you want to describe your research,
hometown, or sing a song in class? You will sign up for a date/time and more details will be
given in class.

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.
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, including weekly
postings to the class website.
 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. 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 Topic
Week 1
Day 1 Placement Test
Day 2
Day 3 Introductions/Class syllabus
That’s what friends are for! Personality types
and qualities; relationships; turn ons and turn
 offs
Task 1-Interviewing and describing a
classmate and their personality
characteristics

Week 2 Career Moves: Jobs; unusual careers; job sklls;

Day 4 summer jobs
Day 5
Task 2-Job Interviews (preparing for the job
Day 6
interview process)
Week 3 What a Story! The media; news stories;
Day 7 exceptional events
Day 8
Day 9 Task 3- Creating a “mock” news broadcast
Week 4 Crossing Cultures: Cultural comparisons and
Day 10 culture shock; moving abroad; emotions;
Day 11 customs; tourism and travel abroad

Task 4- Writing a “How to” guide on getting

Day 12
over “culture shock”
Week 5 The World We Live In/There should be a
Day 13 law! The environment; world problems; current
Day 14 issues; recommendations; opinions.

Task 5- Take a Stand! (Debating on various

Day 15
issues and coming up with solutions)
Week 6 Life’s Little Lessons: Milestones and turning
Day 16 points; behavior and personality; regrets.
Day 17
Task 6- “If things were different”-Describing
Day 18
and imagining different possibilities for the
way things should turn out
Week 7 The right stuff: Qualities for success;
Day 19 successful businesses; advertising
Day 20
Task 8- Coming up with a business plan and
Day 21
business campaign for a product
Week 8 Challenges and accomplishments:
Day 22 Challenges; accomplishments; goals;
Day 23 volunteering

Last Class
Day 24