The following policies are designed to help promote your success in the course. The course syllabus and policies are also available as a traditional paper copy (you must be logged in to Google with your NCSU account to view). 

 

EXPECTATIONS

You can expect from me:

• Punctuality: I will respect our class time and be on time.

• Preparation: I will carefully plan lessons and bring necessary materials to each class.

• Availability: I will make myself accessible to you in and outside of class, both in person and online. This includes answering e-mails within 24 hours during the school week.

• Attention: I will use my phone only for emergencies and use technologies only for course-related purposes.

• Professionalism & Respect: I will be professional in my behavior and communication, and I will respect your cultures, ideas, opinions, and ability to express them.

 

I will expect from you:

• Punctuality: You will be ready to begin class on time and respect our class time.

• Preparation: You will complete assigned readings and activities before class and bring all necessary materials to class.

• Attention: You will use your phone only for emergencies and use technologies only for course-related purposes. You will close your laptop/tablet during lectures unless you use it to take notes, and you will work only on assignments for our course.

• Professionalism & Respect: You will be professional in your communications with each other and with me, both online and in person. You will respect each other’s cultures, ideas, opinions, and ability to express them.

 

 

GRADING

Your work will be evaluated on a normal letter grade scale. Please note that I do not round up grades. However, you can earn extra credit for participating throughout the semester in one on-campus program and using one online resource (details provided in class).

 

Extra credit: You can earn 5 points added to your Participation grade for regulary using one of the Online Resources for langauge learning (or another resource you prefer) or attending on-campus events through the OIS. 

 

How can I know my grade? I keep track of grades and attendance in a Google Spreadsheet. You can email me at ANY time and I will be happy to send your grade to you. You can also use the Course Grade Estimator to closely estimate your grade. 

 

Forum posts, presentations, the group project, and class discussions will be evaluated on a normal letter grade scale. Presentations and discussions will be evaluated according to detailed rubrics provided in class, which reflect the course’s overall grading heuristic:

 

Careful, meticulous work; very few errors. Demonstrates good improvement.

A+: 97-100 | A: 94-96 | A-: 90-93

 

Careful, thoughtful work; a few errors. Demonstrates improvement.

B+: 87-89 | B: 84-86 | B-: 80-83

 

Average work; multiple errors. Evidences some improvement.

C+: 77-79 | C: 74-76 | C-: 70-73

 

Incomplete work; excessive erros. Evidences little improvement or effort.

D+: 67-69 | D: 64-66 | D-: 60-63

 

Unsatisfactory/missing/ work. Evidences little/no improvement or effort.

F: 59 or below

 

Daily work will be graded on the following scale:

✔ (100%) for completed, accurate, thoughtful work

✔- (85%) for partially completed or partially accurate work

- (60%) for incomplete, inaccurate, or careless work

X (0%) for missing or incorrect work

 

 

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is required and will be taken daily, since active participation in discussions and conversations is crucial to improving communication skills. In our M/W class, you are permitted TWO “free” absences with no penalty. You do not need to provide justification for these two absences—you are adults and can manage your attendance. However, each unexcused absence beyond these three will reduce your Participation grade by one-half of a letter grade.

 

Save your “free” absences, since you will need an appropriate written note for your absence to count as excused. Generally, absences are excused in the case of illness, injury, death or illness in the family, required university duties, court attendance, or religious observances, in accordance with the University Attendance Policy.

 

Accomodations

If you experience extended medical or family emergencies during the semester, please consult with me as soon as possible about seeking an accommodation or drop. I am also happy to make reasonable accommodations for students with verified disabilities; however, to take advantage of available accommodations, you must first register with Disability Services.

 

Tardiness

Arriving more than 5 minutes late to class means you are tardy; three tardies count as one unexcused absence, unless you have been in touch with me beforehand. If you arrive late, be sure to speak with me after class so that you are counted present and can receive any necessary information. This is your responsibility.

 

LATE WORK

Daily work

Daily homework and in-class assignments are meant to prepare you for our class activities and discussions, and to enhance your learning. Therefore, in-class assignments can be made up only in the case of excused absences and at my discretion. Discussions, by their nature, cannot be made up.

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Typically, late daily assignments are not accepted unless you have an excused absence on the assignment’s due date. If you would like to make up work you have missed, you are responsible for arranging with me when and how you will make up the work. I will grant extensions to polite, timely, reasonable requests.

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You are responsible for any announcements and assignments you miss because of an absence. Check the website and your e-mail regularly. If you have questions about an assignment, get the name and contact information of a classmate whom you can ask.

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Quizzes, recordings, projects, and presentations

Make-up quizzes, recordings and presentations will be arranged only if you 1) notify me prior to the scheduled time of the quiz/exam/presentation, and 2) present written documentation of an excused absence (see the Attendance policy and the NC State Attendance policy).

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Practicing spoken English with other English learners and receiving language correction/help from native English speakers outside of class are effective ways to improve your language abilities. However, asking someone to write your presentation(s) and/or having them give excessive assistance in preparing an assignment are highly counterproductive to your learning in this class.

 

Further, when you present the words or ideas of someone else (either published or unpublished) in your writing or formal presentations, you must fully acknowledge your sources. If you are ever unsure if what you are presenting or writing constitutes plagiarism, please ask me or the Undergraduate Tutorial Center (UTC).

 

The NC State Policies, Regulations, and Rules on Student Discipline set the standards for academic integrity. In this course and all your other courses, you are expected to adhere to these standards. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will be handled through NC State’s judicial system and may result in failure for the project or for the course. See the Office of Student Conduct for more information on academic integrity.

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Privacy

According to FERPA policies, I will only discuss your work and progress with you—not with anyone else (including your parents). You should not in any way discuss or share other students’ grades or work. Moreover, revealing or sharing another student's course work (with a friend, on social media, etc.) is considered a form of academic dishonesty prohibited by the Code of Student Conduct. This applies even if another student willingly shares such information with you (such as through peer review).

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SOME FAQs

Can I bring food or drink to class?

I will have coffee or tea with me each day, and you are welcome to bring drinks in a covered or closed container. However, please eat food and snacks outside of class.

 

Can I use my native language in class?

There will likely be other students in class who speak your native language. Naturally, it is much easier to speak your native language than one you’re learning. However, this course is an English course with the goal of improving your oral skills, so please use English in all your work and conversations. Doing so will improve your fluency, prepare you for future classroom settings, and contribute to a positive class environment in which everyone can participate.

 

Can I use dictionaries and other resources?

You are encouraged to use whatever resources you know or learn of (I will provide a list of recommended resources). You are also encouraged to use a dictionary, but it should be an English dictionary. Unlike translation dictionaries, English-only dictionaries help you learn new vocabulary in relation to other English words/phrases, thereby expanding your vocabulary.

 

What if I’m shy or don’t feel comfortable with my English skills?

If you are shy, or if you are concerned about your speaking abilities—your accent, vocabulary, etc.—please meet with me. We will find ways to foster your success, as I'm here to help you do well.