English as an Additional Language 3

Ms. Kavalauskas anna.kavalauskas@tasis.ch

Course Content This is an intermediate English language course for students planning to graduate from The American School in Switzerland (TASIS). In order to graduate from TASIS, students must successfully complete EAL 5. Alternatively, many students chose to enter the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. EAL 3 prepares students for both options. Although students in EAL 3 work on proficiency in all disciplines reading, writing, listening, and speaking the primary focus of this course will be writing. At the beginning of the year, students practice writing simple, compound, and complex sentences. They also write one-paragraph outlines and essays in formal, academic English. At the end of the year, students are writing five-paragraph outlines and essays. Throughout the year, students are expected to incorporate what they have learned about grammar and mechanics (spelling and punctuation) into their writing. First students review grammar structures already studied, such as simple present and simple past tense, and then they learn more complex structures such as the present perfect progressive tense, gerunds and infinitives, modal verbs, and reported speech. In order to be successful in EAL 3, it is imperative that students come to class prepared, which means they have the required textbooks and materials and that they have completed your homework on time. If students are organized and put in the work, they will learn a lot!

Methods 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. In-class and out-of-class writing In-class and out-of-class articles, essays, and readers Grammar and vocabulary exercises: oral, written, and on the computer In-class listening activities Oral presentations Reading assignments Class discussions

Materials that you must bring to class every day: 1. Two-ring binder with dividers and loose-leaf paper 2. Pens, pencils, erasers, white correction fluid

Textbooks that you must have in class every day: Focus on Grammar Intermediate (Text and workbook) NorthStar Reading and Writing Intermediate Various readers/novels

Grades Tests: 20%: Quizzes: 20% Written Work (including homework): 60%

The final exam at the end of the spring semester is worth 20% of the semester grade. At the end of the year, your grade will be calculated as follows: Fall Semester 45%; Spring Semester 55%.

Expectations and Attendance Policies

Please arrive on time and be in dress code. If you are tardy, this will be recorded in Veracross. As a general rule, three tardies will considered one absence and communicated to your Grade Dean. If you are not in dress code, you will need to go to your room to change and may also be considered tardy. Your homework must be completed by the time during which it is checked. You must bring your binder, all class notes and hand-outs (neatly organized), all pencils, pens, erasers, liquid paper, etc. and all textbooks that are not stored in the classroom to every class. Your binder may be checked and graded periodically. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to look at the homework assignment on the class blog and complete the work before you return to class. If you have a problem, please email me before study hall the night before the assignment is due.

If your absence is unexcused and you have missed a quiz or a test, you will either fail that assignment or schedule a make-up with a lowered grade. If you have missed any other assignment, the grade is usually lowered as well. If you turn in an assignment late, you will lose 10% of the grade. You have 24 hours to turn it in. After that, I will correct it, but you will not receive a grade for it. You must re-write all marked written work. Re-writes of major essays will count as three homework assignments. Re-writes of assignments are due periodically.

Classroom Conduct: One Simple Rule If you behave in a way that prevents the teacher from teaching effectively or the students from learning effectively, you will face disciplinary action and your grade may be affected.

Office Hours I am very flexible and we can arrange to meet any time outside of class. Send me an email or talk to me in class, and we can work something out.

Academic Integrity Your integrity with regard to academic work is of utmost importance. It is better to do poor work than dishonest work. The penalty for academic dishonesty is a failing grade on the work in question and warrants the intervention of the Academic Dean, your Grade Dean and your Advisor. Please remember the following in all of your courses: 1. On homework assignments, you may not copy or use another student's work. You are on your honor to be truthful if your teacher asks whether or not you've completed an assignment on your own. If you have had help or worked with another student, please write this on your paper. 2. On in-class tests and quizzes, you must not look at other students' papers. If I see you doing so, I will assume you are cheating and your grade will suffer. 3. You are on your honor not to discuss the contents of tests and quizzes to those who have not taken them. Do not ask students in other classes what is on the test or quiz if they have taken it before you have. 4. Plagiarism is using the words or ideas of others without giving proper credit to the source. When you use sources, make sure that you document them in your paper. If you use a direct quotation, use quotation marks. Please see me if you have any questions about attribution of sources or plagiarism. If you have any questions or are unsure about these guidelines, please ask!