Community Language Program

Teachers College, Columbia University

Level: Advanced 1 (A1)
Spring 2014 (July 14 August 14)

Instructor: Caitlyn Alley Pea (caitlynapena@gmail.com)
Class Time & Dates: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Mon Thurs, July 14 August 14
CEP Office Hours: Mon Thurs 9:00 am 10:00 pm
Fri 10:00 am 3:00 pm
Classroom: Grace Dodge 281

About the CEP

The Community Language Program (CLP) is a unique and integral part of the TESOL and Applied
Linguistics Programs at Teachers College, Columbia University. It provides English as a second
language and foreign language instruction to adult learners of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. In
addition, the CLP serves as an on-site language education lab in which TESOL and Applied Linguistics
faculty and students enrolled in the programs teach the courses and use the CLP as a setting for
empirical inquiry. Here at Teachers College we believe that observation and classroom research are the
best way to learn about how we teach and gain insights into how effective teaching might take place.
Additionally, assessment and program evaluation play a major part in our program as well. Thus, we
encourage observation and classroom research and want people to use it as a tool for learning.


About This Class

Course Goals
The goal of the course is to help students improve their understanding of, and skills in, English language
usage. As English learners at the Community English Program (CEP), students will have ample
opportunity to employ all language skills and reflect on their communicative competence while working
in a supportive learning environment.

Course Objectives
Students will be able to :
Develop oral skills through classroom interactions (pair-work, discussion, activities)
Produce meaningful, accurate and appropriate speech
Increase vocabulary in and outside classroom
Use grammar structures in speaking and writing and construct complex sentences
Recognize correct grammatical form and their meaning and appropriateness in use
Listen to monologues/dialogues for understanding and critical analysis
Read texts for understanding and interpretation; Infer meanings of words from context
Write a research paper by gathering sources and referring to them within the paper.


Course Materials
Textbook and Workbook:
Daise, Debra. (2003). In Charge 2, Second Edition (Textbook)
Gordon, Debra. (2003). In Charge 2, Second Edition (Workbook)

Class Website:
http://a5summerb2014.weebly.com
The class website will often be used to submit homework assignments and to participate in the
class blog.
Every Sunday, a question will be posted on the class blog. You should post a response to the
question in addition to a reply to at least one other classmates response by Saturday at 9:00PM.

Grading
Unit tests: 1, 2, 3: each 15% (total 45%)
Final test: 30%
Participation: 10%
Homework Assignments: 15%

Grading Scale
Grade Results % of Possible Points
A +/- Excellent A+ 97 100% A 94 96% A- 90 93%
B +/- Good B+ 87 89% B 84 86% B- 80 83%
C +/- Satisfactory (pass) C+ 77 79% C 74 76% C- 70 73%
Fail/Repeat Poor 69% or below
W
Withdrawal (With the permission of both the teacher and the Assistant Director, the
student withdrew from the course due to extenuating circumstances)

Course Policies
Attendance
In order to successfully complete this class, a maximum of 5 absences is acceptable in order to move on
to the next level. Please email me if you know that you are going to be absent.

Arrival Time
Classes will begin promptly at 7:00. Please try your best to arrive on time. If you arrive more than 10
minutes late, you will be counted as tardy. A maximum of 10 tardies is acceptable in order to move on to
the next level. Please email me if you know that you are going to be late.

Class Participation Requirements
Students will
Participate in classroom activities.
Contribute to the class blog.
Bring the required books and materials to each class.
Have self-control and be polite to fellow classmates
Avoid using their native language to translate.
Avoid using cell phones (turn the phone to vibrate or to silent) and computers.

Course Schedule
Date Theme
July 14 Introduction
July 15 - 20 Unit 5 Amazing Inventions
July 21 Unit 5 Test
July 21 - 28 Unit 6 Hooked on Horror
July 28 Unit 6 Review & Test
July 29 - August 4 Unit 7 A Hard Act to Follow
August 4 Unit 7 Review & Test
August 5 - 11 Unit 8 The Time of Your Life
August 12 Unit 5 8 Review
August 13 Final Exam
April 14 Last Day of Class! Exam feedback and party!


* Important Dates
July 14 First day of class
July 18 Last day for refunds and transfers
August 7 Course evaluations
August 13 Final Exam
August 14 Last day of class


Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students
are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) for
information about registering with the office. You can reach OASID by email at oasid@tc.columbia.edu,
stop by 163 Thorndike Hall or call 212-678-3689. Services are available only to students who are
registered and submit appropriate documentation. As your instructor, I am happy to discuss specific
needs with you as well.

Religious Observances
It is the policy of Teachers College to respect its members observance of their major religious holidays.
Students should notify instructors at the beginning of the semester about their wishes to observe holidays
on days when class sessions are scheduled. Where academic scheduling conflicts prove unavoidable, no
student will be penalized for absence due to religious reasons, and alternative means will be sought for
satisfying the academic requirements involved. If a suitable arrangement cannot be worked out between
the student and the instructor, students and instructors should consult the program Academic Coordinator.
If an additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the Provost.