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 discussions and pair/group work. Your final grades are determined by the following course components:

• Participation (including attendance, class discussion, and homework): 20%


• Written assignments: 30%


• Oral presentation: 15%


• Midterm exam: 15%


• Final exam: 20%

Attendance and Participation

Attendance will be recorded in every class. Any absence will be counted against your records unless a leave of absence is requested to the instructor by email, prior to or by the end of the absent day. Habitual lateness will also jeopardize your attendance records. Participation grade will be based on your before-class 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 can NOT be made up. However, with an approved leave of absence, missed quizzes, which otherwise would count as zero, will not count towards your composite final grade.

Oral presentations

In addition to the periodic in-class presentations, you will give a group presentation during the semester. In a group of 3-4, you and your groupmates will create a visually engaging Earth Day event proposal. You should highlight the eco-friendly activities, emphasize the importance of sustainability, and encourage audience interaction. The presentation should be approximately 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion. More details will be provided in class. The rubric is available on Moodle.

Note: For the group presentation, 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.

Written assignments

In addition to the periodic in-class and take-home writing exercises, there will be three written assignments for the course. 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.

1. Opinion Essay: Craft an opinion essay expressing your perspectives on local and global issues. Utilize examples and insights to support your viewpoints. (10%)


2. Commenting on Reading/Listening Content: Formulate a commentary on assigned reading or listening material. Showcase your critical thinking skills by analyzing and reflecting on the content. (10%)


3. Statement of Purpose: Compose a Statement of Purpose for your exchange program application. (10%)

More details will be provided in class. The rubrics are available on Moodle.

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 contains a written test and a speaking test. The written tests include vocabulary/grammar questions, a listening/reading section, and short writing tasks. The speaking test requires you to answer two or more questions, each question for one minute. 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.

• Handouts: To be distributed in class.
  
   


• Resources:

VoiceTube: https://tw.voicetube.com

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

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

LTTC BESTEP: https://bestep.tw/

• Study materials for Introduction to Cross-cultural Communication (CCC)

(a) Guide to bias-free writing [Reading]

(b) Racist Warning on the Tom and Jerry Cartoons

• Why Tom And Jerry now comes with a racism warning [Reading]


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

(c) A glossary of terms you need to stay woke [Reading]

(d) American hand gestures in different cultures - 7 ways to get yourself in trouble abroad [Video]

(e) Cultural proxemics: Personal space [Video]

(f) How different cultures tell time [Video]

(g) Top 10 nonverbal communication tips [Reading]

(h) Globalization

• Globalization easily explained [Video]


• The globalization of Starbucks [Video]


• 5 life lessons from Disney movies [Reading]


• Did Disney shape how you see the world? [Reading]


• Can Disney cartoons make your child nicer? [Reading]

(i) Glocalization

• What is glocalization? [Video]


• McDonald's global and local strategy [Video]


• Defining a localization strategy: Translating logos across cultures? [Reading]

(j) The issue of outsourcing according to the Simpsons cartoon

• Outsourcing according to the Simpsons [Video]


• Simpsons outsourcing clip [Video]