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Individual Speech and Language Instruction for Nonnative Speakers of English (482-0-26)

Meeting Info

TBA: TBA

Overview of class

In this course, a trained tutor provides individualized language study for the purpose of increasing nonnative speakers' proficiency in English, in both academic and everyday contexts. At the beginning of the term, students will complete a needs assessment to determine which aspects of spoken English are most critical for current communication skills. These may include: accent and intelligibility, grammatical errors, sociolinguistic skills, intercultural competence, classroom communication skills, formal and informal writing tasks, and more. Together, the tutor and student will create a set of learning goals for the term. The tutor will then provide appropriate practice in each session to help the student acquire the linguistic and academic skills needed to improve communicative competence. Tutors may assign additional work to be completed outside of the session. Students will be expected to reflect on their own progress both periodically and at the end of the term. Active participation and evidence of progress towards learning goals must be demonstrated in order to achieve a satisfactory grade in the course.

Registration Requirements

Instructor consent required

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Use data from self-assessments, standardized assessments, and instructor feedback to identify your pre-term level of communicative competence in English, including: linguistic competence, sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence, functional competence, and strategic competence.
2. Identify your own critical academic and personal language learning needs.
3. Articulate your learning goals for the quarter (in partnership with your tutor). Your goals should address your unique learning needs in effective communication
4. Demonstrate progress towards achieving your stated learning goals.

Teaching Method

Individual face-to-face instruction, in-session practice activities, suggested homework practice activities.

Evaluation Method

At the beginning of the quarter, students will complete an intake assessment with their tutor, and then create individual learning goals for the quarter. Students will be evaluated at the end of the quarter with a self-assessment, recorded speech samples, and documentation of progress towards individual goals by the tutor.

Class Materials (Required)

Course materials are free, distributed by the class Canvas site and in print-outs handed out in class.

Class Attributes

Synchronous:Class meets remotely at scheduled time