Statement of purpose-

This course aims to provide various activities to enhance and improve students listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities. Being able to communicate and share ideas and opinions in English at ease is the focus of this course. Group work is an important part of the class to help students gain back the autonomy and initiative of learning. Therefore participation in discussions and making presentations will be how students are assessed in this class.

林雅淇

Class time will be devoted to activities that allow you to practice and interact in English. To successfully complete the course, you must prepare the assigned homework prior to class and, while in class actively participate in class discussions and pair/group work. Your final grades are determined by the following course components:

• Participation (including attendance, effort on speaking in class, and homework): 10%


• Speaking and written assignments: 20% & 20%


• Presentation: 10%


• Midterm and final exams: 15% & 15%


• Others (e.g., in-class exercises/quizzes): 10%

Note: for group assignments, individual grades will still be awarded reflecting your individual effort, participation and achievement in the group. In short, not every member of the group will receive the same grade.

Participation

Your participation grade will be based on your attendance, homework preparation, and the contribution you make to the learning experience of others. Contribution includes your in-class questions to the instructor, insights and comments regarding class content, answers to the instructor’s questions, and reactions to other students’ contributions.

In-class exercises/quizzes

Periodically throughout the semester, writing/listening exercises and pop quizzes will be given in class. These exercises and quizzes CANNOT be made up.

Oral presentations

You will give an individual oral report and a group presentation during the semester. For the group presentation, you and your group will report on your assigned reading material. The presentation should be approximately 15 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion. Each group should meet with the instructor two weeks prior to their presentation to discuss their topic and present their outline. Following the presentation, they will submit a group written report. More details will be provided in class.

Written assignments

There will be several periodic in-class and take-home writing exercises. Your papers should show you have completed and thought seriously and critically about the readings and videos provided for you. You are also encouraged to research the topic and cite your sources. The grading rubric for the written assignments is available on the class website.

Examinations

All materials, including the readings, handouts, and information provided in class will potentially be included on mid-term and final exams. The mid-term exam is a written test, and the final exam will be a speaking test. The speaking test requires you to answer two or more questions, each question for two minutes. The instructor will evaluate your ability to respond to the questions appropriately and to speak for an extended period of time without hesitation, deviation or repetition. The grading rubric for the speaking test is available on the class website. No make-up exams will be given unless you have received the instructor’s permission in advance.

• Primary Textbook: Reading and Vocabulary 4 by Catherin Mazur-Jefferies (2014)


• Supplementary readings: To be distributed in class.

• Study materials:
  
  
  
  
  1. Politically Correct Dictionary [Reading]
  
  
  
  

http://www.academia.edu/6735062/politically_correct_dictionary

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  2. Racist Warning on the Tom and Jerry Cartoons
  
  
  
  


• Why Tom And Jerry Now Comes With A Racism Warning [Reading]

http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Why-Tom-Jerry-Now-Comes-With-Racism-Warning-67631.html

• Tom and Jerry - Introduction by Whoopi Goldberg [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_oEOdIBOpU&list=PLVkWczZMrm_pb1i3uYEI9Uv1ZPRNkPT0A

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   3. How to be Politically Correct [Reading]
   
   
   
   

http://www.ehow.com/how_2238710_be-politically-correct.html

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   4. American Hand Gestures in Different Cultures - 7 Ways to Get Yourself in Trouble Abroad [Video]
   
   
   
   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWFPHW7BCCI

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   5. Cultural Proxemics: Personal Space [Video]
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFAm-VHATw
   
   
   6. How Different Cultures Tell Time - Sana Reynolds [Video]
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgzmKHDfSPM
   
   
   7. Top 10 Nonverbal Communication Tips [Reading]
      
      https://www.verywell.com/top-nonverbal-communication-tips-2795400
   
   
   8. Globalization
      
      
      
      • Globalization easily explained [Video]
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ0nFD19eT8
      
      
      • Globalization of Starbucks [Video]
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-KKy-03O5A
      
      
      • 5 life lessons from Disney movies [Reading]
        
        https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/what-can-your-kids-learn-from-disney-movies/
      
      
      • Can Disney cartoons make your child nicer? [Reading]
        
        https://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/can_disney_cartoons_make_your_child_nicer
      
      
      • How dangerous is Disney? Impact of Disney movies on global culture [Video]
        
        https://tw.voicetubcom/videos/43311
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

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   1. Glocalization
      
      
      
      
      • What is Glocalization? [Video]
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH-wx-Qz52A
      
      
      • McDonald’s Global and Local Strategy: Examples of Food in McDonald’s and KFC that goes local [Video]
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6coDUDCJ10
      
      
      • Defining a localization strategy: How do logos fit into your global plans? [Reading]
      
      
      
      
   
   
   
   

https://www.sajan.com/defining-localization-strategy-logos-fit-global-plans/

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   10. The issue of outsourcing according to the Simpsons cartoon [2 videos]
       
       
       
       
       • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFH71CkKowU
       
       
       • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHeLkdTuw-8
       
       
       
       
   
   
   
   

• Resources:

VoiceTube: https://tw.voicetube.com

BBC Learning English: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

TED talks: https://www.ted.com/talks