GI 120A.

Grammar for Academic Interactions

Intensive English Communication Program
The Pennsylvania State University
Fall 2015

Instructor: Nan Zhang

Office: Ritenour 104
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail: nzz108@psu.edu
Class Location and Time: Boucke 317 T&R 1:30-2:40pm
Course Description:
Grammar for Interactions 120 is an intermediate course in grammatical and lexical analysis and revision that serves as
a supporting course to Academic Interactions. This course prepares students to comprehend, explain, and revise
grammatical and lexical structures in academic talk. With an emphasis on collaborative review and revision,
students study student-generated and adapted expert/authentic speech from Academic Interactions in order to better
understand and produce various grammar structures and lexical items in context. By the end of the course, students will
be able to:

- Identify and explain the form and functions of selected lexical and grammatical patterns in
student-generated and adapted academic talk at an intermediate level.
- Produce selected lexical and grammatical patterns in speech at an intermediate level to convey,
describe, and explain ideas and concepts for academic speaking tasks.
Required Text:
Quest 2: Listening & Speaking, 2nd edition by Laurie Blass. ISBN:978-0-073-26961-0
Required Materials
Recorded audio clips from AI 120, lined notebook paper, pens/pencils, smartphone,
headphones/earpieces, English-language dictionary (print or app). You will be recorded in this class.
Grading Scale (Letter and Percentages)
At the end of the semester, you will receive a letter grade in this course. This grade is based on the
following scale:
B+ 87-89
A 93-100
B 83-86
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59
A- 90-92
B- 80-82
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
In order to successfully complete this course, you must receive a final grade of 83% or higher. Your
final grade of the course is based on the Learning Outcomes for the course which are a measure of
your achievement of the Course Objectives:

Course Objectives for Course Goal 1:

Course Objectives for Course Goal 2:
a. Identify and explain the form and function(s)
a. Use selected grammatical patterns
of selected grammatical patterns in studentappropriately and accurately in revised
generated and adapted academic talk
academic talk
b. Identify and explain the form and function(s)
b. Use a variety of accurate and appropriate
of selected lexical items in studentlexical items in revised academic talk
generated and adapted academic talk
c. Use selected conjunctive, adverbial and
c. Identify and explain the use of selected
prepositional discourse markers appropriately
conjunctive, adverbial and prepositional
in academic talk
discourse markers in student-generated and
adapted academic talk
d. Identify and explain the use of selected
fillers, oral
particles and backchanelling in
Learning
Outcomes:
student-generated
andwritten
adapted
academic
1. Produce
an oral and/or
grammar
editing log (identification of linguistic pattern errors and
talk
appropriate
revisions) based on a transcribed 45-second segment from student-generated
academic talk from Academic Interactions (minimum of 2 transcriptions and 2 grammar editing logs)
2. Produce a revised oral version of a 45-second segment of student-generated academic talk from
Academic Interactions, based on grammar-log analysis (See Learning Outcome 1; minimum 2)
3. Produce a vocabulary editing log (identification of lexical item errors/areas for improvement and
appropriate revisions) based on a transcribed 45-second segment from student-generated
academic talk from Academic Interactions (minimum of 2 transcriptions and 2 vocabulary editing
logs)
4. Produce a revised oral version of a 45-second segment of student-generated academic talk from
Academic Interactions with increased variety, accuracy, and precision, based on vocabulary-log
analysis (See Learning Outcome 1; minimum 2)
5. Participate in lexical and/or grammatical pair/group analysis, focused on identifying selected
lexical items and grammatical patterns and explaining their function and/or suggesting revisions as
appropriate (minimum of 2 for student-generated academic talk from Academic Interactions;
minimum of 2 for adapted academic talk from Academic Interactions)
6. Participate in discourse marker pair/group review, focused on identifying selected markers and
explaining their function and/or suggesting revisions as appropriate (minimum 1 for studentgenerated academic talk from Academic Interactions, minimum 1 from adapted academic talk from
Academic Interactions)
7. Demonstrate proficiency on Course Objectives through tests, quizzes and/or other assessments

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13

Introduction & Diagnostic Test

Global Business & Related grammar
Global Business & Related grammar
& Preparation for Presentation #1 In AI120
Post analysis for P1
Art & & Related grammar
Art & Preparation for Group Presentation in AI 120
Post analysis for GP
Psychology & Related grammar
Psychology & Preparation for Interview in AI 120
Post analysis for I1
Health
Health & Preparation for Presentation #2 in AI 120
Post analysis for P2

Week 14
Week 15

Review & Final Project

Review & Final Project

1st log due

1st oral revision due (AI)
2nd log due
2nd oral revision due
3rd log due
3rd oral revision due
4th log due
4th oral revision due (AI)
Final project due

Semester Schedule
*The schedule is subject to change during the semester

Final Grade Calcuation

Discourse Analysis (LO 6); 15%

Speech Revisions (LO 2, 4, 7); 30%

Editing Log & Transcriptions (LO 1, 3); 25%

Lexical & Grammar Analysis (LO 5); 15%
Final Report (LO 2, 4, 7); 15%

IECP Policies
Please consult the current IECP Student Handbook on the IECP website for full details on the
following policies. You may ask for a copy of the IECP Student Handbook at the IECP Office in 102
Ritenour Building.
IECP Attendance Policy
Please note there is a change in both how many absences a student may accrue before being
dismissed from the IECP as well as how students access their attendance
Absences limit a students language learning ability. Absences also have a negative impact on
classmates and on instructor planning for the class session.
IECP students are responsible for understanding each of the following points of the IECP Attendance
Policy:
How many times is a student permitted to be absent?
In Fall and Spring, a full-time student cannot miss more than 30 classes. Part-time students
are limited to 15 classes of absences. In Summer, a full-time student cannot miss more than
20 classes. Part-time summer students are limited to 12 classes of absences.
How do I know what my attendance is?
Students must stay up to date with their attendance by visiting https://iecpaccess.psu.edu/student. Questions regarding attendance should be directed to your individual
teachers and when necessary, to the Student Advisor.
Are there important limits to be aware of with attendance?
Yes. Please see the table below
Full time student: Fall or Spring
15 absences
25 absences
Student receives Student receives
Student is placed on
attendance
dismissal warning
Academic success plan
warning status

30 absences
Student is
dismissed from
the program

Part time student: Fall or Spring

7 absences
12 absences
Student receives Student receives
Student is placed on
attendance
dismissal warning
Academic success plan
warning status

15 absences
Student is
dismissed from
the program

What counts as an absence?

If you are not in class, you are absent. If you must miss class because of illness, childcare
issues, a religious observance, taking a standardized test or visits with family, you will be
marked absent.
A returning students attendance is calculated from the first day of class for the semester. If the
returning student arrives late for the semester, all classes missed will count as absences.
4

What happens if a student exceeds the maximum number of absences?

You may choose how to use your absences, but you CANNOT exceed the maximum number
of absences. Full-time students who have exceeded the maximum number of absences will be
dismissed from the IECP. Their SEVIS record will be terminated immediately and they must
return to their country or transfer within two weeks. This policy applies to all students, including
those who attain required TOEFL or IELTS scores and/or receive university admission during
the semester. NOTE: If a student is dismissed from the program, no tuition will be refunded.
Part-time students with excessive absences will not be allowed to continue studying in the
IECP.
Students who withdraw from the program must do so in writing and they will not receive final
grade reports.
Students are responsible for knowing how many absences they have. Please use the following
link https://iecp-access.psu.edu/student. When full-time students reach 15 absences (7
absences for part-time students), they are placed on Attendance Warning status and they must
meet with an IECP administrator. Notification of their attendance warning status will be sent to
their IECP instructors and to their government sponsors.
What happens if a student misses assignments?
One of the IECP Student Responsibilities states, "Contact instructors about missed work and
assignments if a class is missed." An instructor's individual policy about missed work and
assignments is stated on the course syllabus.
Students should NOT expect an opportunity to complete assignments or complete
assessments early in order to leave before the last day of classes. Absences at the end of the
term may also affect grades on required assessments and the possibility of
promotion/completion at the IECP.
What happens if a student is late (tardy) to class?
All IECP classes will begin promptly. Students arriving late or coming back late from breaks will
be marked as tardy record (3 tardies equal one absence). Instructors may also mark excessive
lateness as a full absence.
If a student misses half a class or more, that student is marked as absent.
Academic Honesty
Many of the rules of academic honesty are the same around the world. However, some rules may be
different.
Cheating is never allowed in the IECP.
Students cheat when they use other students work instead of their own. Using others work includes
copying another persons answers on a test, quiz, or homework assignment; using a part or all of
another persons work for your essay or presentation; or asking another person to do the work you
have been assigned and then putting your name on it.
Cheating in the U.S. can result in failing your courses or being dismissed from the university.
A special kind of cheating in academic writing is called plagiarism. This occurs when a student uses
the words or ideas of an author without acknowledging that author. Plagiarism is a very serious matter
in American higher education.

The IECP expects that all of its students will be academically honest. In any cases where students do
cheat, instructors and the Program Coordinator will take immediate and serious action. Students who
cheat may be placed on probation or be dismissed from the IECP.
Academic Success Plan
The goal of the Academic Success Plan is to support student success in the IECP. Students are
expected to pass all of their courses in the IECP, although sometimes students need additional time
in a particular course. IECP students can take any course in the program no more than twice. At the
end of the semester, students who fail a course will be placed on the Academic Success Plan. Also,
students are expected to fulfill their IECP Student Responsibilities. At any time during the semester,
students who fail to meet their IECP Student Responsibilities may be placed on Probation and the
Academic Success Plan. Teachers may choose to repeal Probation if a student successfully
completes the course.
Students who are placed on the Academic Success Plan must meet with the Student Advisor and
sign an Academic Success Plan Contract. To be removed from the Academic Success Plan, students
must meet the conditions specified in their contracts. Students who do not meet the terms of their
Academic Success Plan Contract will not be allowed to enroll again in the IECP.
Students who are placed on the Academic Success Plan twice for the same reason in a different
term will be dismissed from the IECP. A student may appeal administrative decisions by submitting an
Administrative Decision Appeal Form for Students to the IECP Office in a timely manner. Students will
be notified by email of dismissal and must act quickly to contact DISSA (Directorate of International
Student & Scholar Advising) to make departure and/or transfer plans.
IECP Tutoring Center (IECP)
Mission Statement: The ITC provides assistance to IECP students in mastering different aspects of
English and standardized test preparation. Our focus is on supporting long-term improvement in
students' academic English proficiency.
Location and Hours:
The ITC is located in 322 Pond (on the third floor). The ITC is open August 31 through December 4
(excluding campus holidays and IECP holidays), Monday through Thursday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. and
Friday from 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Please note that ITC Services provide guidance for students to improve their own work. Using ITC
services does not necessarily guarantee perfect assignments or grades.
IECP Disabilities Access
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities and each campus has an Office for Disability Services
(ODS) http://equity.psu.edu/ods.IECP students who wish to receive consideration for reasonable
accommodation must contact the Office for Disability Services in 116 Boucke Building, participate in
an intake interview, and provide documentation prior to the semester of study as indicated in ODS
guidelines available at: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines. Students should discuss particular
accommodations with their teachers as early in the semester as possible.