American Academic Culture for Non-Native speakers of English (480-0-20)
Instructors
Kate Flom Derrick
Tamra Wysocki
Michael Douglas Dover
Austin D Keen
Meeting Info
Technological Institute F280: Tues, Thurs 10:00AM - 11:20AM
Overview of class
This course explores effective communication strategies for international graduate students teaching in the American undergraduate classroom. Students will observe, analyze, and practice classroom communication as they develop a short teaching demonstration that highlights their spoken English at its best. Students will have the unique opportunity to receive feedback from instructors affiliated with English Language Programs and the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching. Those who successfully complete the course will be eligible for the Teaching Demonstration Assessment that will be evaluated toward fulfillment of The Graduate School's English proficiency requirement.
Registration Requirements
This course is designated for international graduate students who have been nominated by their home department or program and whose enrollment has been approved by The Graduate School and English Language Programs. It is not open to other students. Students selected to participate will be enrolled in LING 480 by The Graduate School.
Students who participate in the course will be registered for it, and the class will appear for them in CAESAR. This is a non-credit course: it does not affect your grade point average, and the course load is zero (0).
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Design and lead an engaging microteaching demonstration (a 10-minute lecture on an introductory topic in their discipline).
2. Demonstrate effective impromptu classroom communication by presenting course information (e.g., class policies, schedule, etc.) from a syllabus that the student has not seen before.
3. Evaluate and incorporate feedback from instructors and peers to improve teaching demonstrations.
4. Identify their own strengths and weaknesses when speaking English and demonstrate progress toward improved proficiency (intelligibility and effectiveness).
Teaching Method
This course will be conducted in person in Summer 2024. We will meet in person twice per week each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00-11:20 am (except for Thursday, July 4). These sessions provide opportunities for interaction and will usually involve small group work, large class discussions, and opportunities for feedback from your peers and instructors.
Some content will be delivered asynchronously via Canvas. The asynchronous component of this course will require you to watch videos, complete readings, and submit assignments on Canvas. Because this is a short, 6-week class, it will be very important for you to keep up with asynchronous assignments. Please come to class having completed the related assignments/quizzes and prepared to discuss the materials.
Additionally, you will meet with your primary instructor outside of class for 30 minutes each week. You will be assigned a primary instructor for the course who will be your main point of contact. You and your primary instructor will determine together whether you will meet in person or on Zoom. Your primary instructor will also provide feedback for your assignments on Canvas. The goal of assigning you to a primary instructor is for you to get the individual attention required for success on the Teaching Demonstration Assessment. During one of your weekly meetings, you will meet with a different instructor of your choosing to provide additional perspective and feedback on your development.
We recognize that the pandemic continues to present challenges for everyone. If you are having difficulties that are preventing you from keeping up with the class, please let us know as soon as possible. We are here for you! We can work together to find accommodation and support for your success.
Evaluation Method
As with all non-credit courses at Northwestern, a letter grade for this course will not appear on your transcript. Instead, you will receive a grade of "satisfactory" (S) or "unsatisfactory" (U). To determine whether your final grade is S or U, point values will be assigned to each assignment in this course. These grades will be combined for a final course average, weighted by the percentages listed below. To receive a grade of S, your final course average must be 80% or higher (equivalent to a B).
Assignments will be evaluated by the instructors and are due at the date and time listed on Canvas. Because this course moves so quickly and lessons build on each other week after week, it is important to submit work on time. If circumstances arise that prevent you from submitting work on time, be in touch with your primary instructor immediately to arrange for flexibility.
Breakdown of final grade
Teaching demonstration assignments 40%
Individual meeting assignments 30%
Class and peer support group engagement 15%
Canvas quizzes, online discussions, recording assignments
Class Notes
Attendance & Participation
Learning from this course requires active participation, and regular attendance at class sessions and weekly meetings with instructors are mandatory. If you cannot attend due to illness, a conflict with an academic commitment, or other reason, please contact your primary instructor as soon as possible by email. Students will be allowed a maximum of one excused absence (excused means you have contacted your primary instructor and have made plans to make up the material you have missed). Any unexcused absences, or more than one excused absence, may result in a grade of "U" for the quarter, making you ineligible for the TGS Teaching Demonstration Assessment.