Important Advice: Department of English Language & Literature Professor Aaron Pooley

 General advice  Class-specific advice  How to achieve a high score/grade Before We Begin:

General Advice #1

 The syllabus has many pages for a reason.  You should keep the syllabus all semester.  It also helps you with useful information on how to improve basic English skills.  90% of student questions and complaints can be answered by reading the syllabus.  If you lose the syllabus, go to the course homepage. Read the Syllabus.

General Advice #2

 You can’t remember everything.  Even if something is simple, write it down.  Some students take pictures with their phone instead of taking notes. This is not taking notes…it’s taking a picture.  If the professor is speaking, you should be listening AND writing.  Taking notes is the difference between an A/B grade and C/D/F grades. Take Notes.

General Advice #3

 I ask many questions.  I ask because I want a discussion…  NOT because I don’t know the answer.  It’s okay if you’re wrong. Think.

General Advice #4

 But be careful.  Remember this: NEVER NEVER NAVER.  Why? Naver is great for Korean information but not for English. Need Internet help with English? Use Google.  ONLY use your dictionary or translator if you have to…  I know when you are using KakaoTalk (or other non-class related apps). This is an automatic cut to your participation points.  Remember our course syllabus (and other materials) are available on the course homepage. Technology is good.

Use English outside of this class. General Advice #5

 If you only speak English in this class…  You will probably do poorly (your grade)  You will not advance (for your future)  Every class will always feel the same!!! (no magic, sorry)  Language is more than speaking/reading/listening/writing  It’s also about culture  It’s about meeting people  It’s about conversation Using English.

 Be sure to keep up with the textbook listening exercises (this will help make tests easier)  Choose your assignment #1 drama series soon—you should be watching 1-2 episodes each week (and don’t forget to take notes about the language used and the cultural information learned)  Remember that the conversation questions I give you are a starter—if you need more questions, make your own!  Take notes of important vocab and expressions learned. Beginning Communication

 Remember that most of the textbook is made up of listening exercises. You should be doing these as ‘self- study’ in your free time.  One of the main goals of this course is to move you beyond ‘easy conversation’ and make you comfortable with ‘intelligent and critical conversation’.  Write down new vocab and expressions in a notebook. This will make studying for tests much easier. Intermediate Communication

 An English literature class needs:  Time reading  Time thinking  Time note-taking on lectures  Time discussing, analyzing and responding  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  If you don’t understand, let me know.  This is not a listening class. It’s a discussion! Children’s Literature