1. welcome to English
With Daniel Stambler

2. Why are you here?
You have no choice—you need your “patur” (exemption)‏
You need English for your professions
You need English in an increasingly globalized world
Eg: Internet, travel, work
your parents made you come
Any other reasons?

3. Where do you use English?

4. What were your past English classes like
What were your past English classes like? (in college, high school, private tutors)‏

5. What are your expectations?
What do you hope to get out of this course?
What to you expect to get out of this course?
What will the reality be? (hint: remember, we have all of 3.5 months)

6. What will we do in this course?
It is assumed at this level, you have the skills you need in grammar (don’t worry about spelling) to deepen your reading comprehension.
We will work, therefore, on improving your comprehension so that you can deal with English at a high level outside of the class.
eg: with the academic articles for other
courses, and in your fields, work, and study.

7. This means… Not much work on grammar (is that good or bad?)‏
A lot of reading (It’s good! It’s good!)‏
with questions.
And most importantly: enjoying the class.

8. What's On the Syllabus?
We will read on average 1-2 different articles each week.
The topic of the articles will often relate to your studies in a general way, but also will be subjects new to you
Some of the reading we'll do in class, and the rest will be at home. This means: homework. What’s that word? Homework.

9. Reading Material
Material put on the Moodle site weekly, which you need to print and bring to class.
Photocopies I provide

10. A little more about homework:
It’s a beautiful word. Say it to yourselves: Homework. But seriously, there are no shortcuts to learning a language well. The more you invest, the more you will progress. Simple.

11. Topic –based learning Example topics: Environment
Creativity and learning
Social issues
Psychology
Leadership
Scientific research
Topic you suggest from your interests

12. How will we improve?
There are four main language acquisition skills we will work on. In their order of importance—for the purposes of this course only---they are:
Reading
Listening
Writing
Speaking

13. How would you rank your own English skills?
Reading
Writing
Listening
Speaking
(as you can see, I like to read.)

14. Reading
I want you to feel challenged but not overwhelmed.
It is good to become exposed to topics outside of your frame of reference, too.

15. Listening We can all use practice listening.
In this class it is important to listen not just to hear my instructions, but your English comprehension will improve by having a 1.5 hour immersion environment. Take advantage of it!

16. Writing
Writing is the primary way you will show me what you understood in your reading.
This will mostly be through weekly quizzes and homework on the articles you read.

17. Writing continued: Exams
The exams, and some of the smaller tests, are mostly not multiple choice (American) style, but require written (open) answers.
As I wrote before, I don’t care about spelling, but grammar is important (as is, of course, the right answer!)‏

18. Speaking
You will have a lot of chances to practice your English speaking:
Ask questions, make comments
Group work and discussions
Reading out loud
Presentations
And please, if you have something to say, raise your hand first.

19. Evaluation Final exam= 40% (unseen)‏ Mid term assignment= 20% (seen)
Class grade= 40%
Class grade:
--homework and quizzes=20% ‏
--presentation= 10%
--participation= 10% ‏

20. Passing Grade:
60% to pass the course
70% to have it count in other colleges/universities

21. Class Grade Breakdown
Quizzes/homework (most weeks): on content of readings and vocabulary
Presentation: in the last month, you will present in front of class for 5 minutes a topic of your choice. More on that later.
Participation: paying attention, doing work in class, group/pair work. Being respectful. Making positive contributions.

22. The Bonus Marks!
For every apple you put on my desk, you get an extra mark in your final grade.
(organic only)
But really: the Book Review.
If you choose a book, read it over the semester, and write a review of it, you will receive up to five extra final grade points.
Those who are interested, should ask me for more instructions on this.

23. Attendance You are permitted 5 absences during the semester.
At 4 absences, you are sent a letter of warning.
At 6 absences, your course is cancelled.
There are no exceptions for this (like being sick, surfing in Hawaii, etc.)
Doctor’s notes don’t matter.
Army reserve duty is accepted.

24. Class Decorum
Arrive on time. After 15 minutes you are considered absent and lose the class.
The same goes for leaving early, or going out during the class (like 15 minute washroom break—really!)‏
Mutual Respect: the dropping pen test.
You can drink (non-alcoholic beverages). Eating? There is enough time before and after class to eat. The class is not a cafeteria.

25. Let’s talk about….
I understand there may be times when you are bored in class. Deal with it. There’s nothing wrong with being bored. It’s creative time. If you use your phone for purposes other than class, then I keep it for the class. There is one purpose for the phone in class:

26. Communication
If you have any concerns, questions, or comments, you can:
(a) Talk with me before or after class
(b) me using the Hadassah site
(c) Call me at home in the middle of the night.
(which one of the above is false?)

27. Good Luck!
I wish all of you a successful semester!

28. Any questions so far?

29. Initial Reading Strategy: TADS
T= title
A= author
D= date
S= source

30. TADS --example

31. Another reading strategy: Previewing
This simply means thinking about two things before you read the article:
1. What you already know or think about the topic.
2. What you think the article's point of view might be.
For example, how do these considerations relate to the last slide?

32. Your Introductions
1. Remember the number I give you. Then find the other person who has the same number: this is the person you'll work with.
2. Take a couple of minutes ask a few questions:
--what is your name?
--what is your favourite food?
--what hobbies do you have? What do you do in your free time?
--what is season do you like, and why?
--if you could visit one place, where would it be?
What would you do there?
--any other question that comes to mind.
3. You will present your partner to the class.
(in English, of course. To remember what they say, you might want to take notes.)‏