African Languages Association: Basic/Intermediate Twi

Spring 2018 Syllabus

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Date/Time: Saturdays, 3:00PM-4:00PM
Location: Adele H. Stamp Student Involvement Suite, Terrapin Room AB
*(Unless otherwise stated in weekly emails)*

Teacher: Adwoa Boateng, adwoaoboateng@gmail.com, 443-636-1535

Teaching Assistants: Clydelle Agyei, aclydelle@yahoo.com, 240-491-6958 & Maame Sapong,
asapong@terpmail.umd.edu, 443-538-9901

Organization Contact Information:

● Website: http://umcpala.weebly.com/
● Email/Phone: umcpala@gmail.com, 301-661-6668
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GOALS OF THE COURSE
Akwaaba (Welcome)! This course is meant to be a continuation of our first Twi course
taught during fall, 2017. If you did not take the course last year, don’t worry! We will begin
by reviewing topics covered last semester and transition to new words and phrases. As we
advance through the course, you will notice that we place less emphasis on formal
grammatical instruction and more emphasis on everyday speech. This is because we want to
prepare you for everyday conversation with family and friends! Through weekly lessons and
activities, we hope to build your confidence when speaking Twi and also help you build a
community with other students on campus!

CLASS EXPECTATIONS
We will begin each class with a short quiz or exercise based on material covered during the
previous week. Following this, we will deliver lecture, incorporating opportunities for students to
practice oral speech and listening comprehension. Finally, we will end each class with a short
review exercise.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Unit 1 (Lessons 1-3): Review of Last Semester
● Unit 2 (Lessons 4-6): Communicating in Different Contexts
● Unit 3 (Lessons 8-9): Communicating at School
● Unit 4 (Lessons 10-11): Review of Class
 IMPORTANT NOTES
● Classroom Environment: We strive to create an environment that is both welcoming
and accepting of all Twi-learners! Feel free to express yourself and ask TONS of
questions when you need help. Push yourself to speak Twi with your classmates as
soon as you step into the classroom, and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
● Cancellations: We may have cancellations during the semester due to inclimate
weather, emergencies, or low enrollment. We will do our best to inform you of any
such cancellations days in advance. In the event of a cancellation, we will email you
materials to help you stay on top of the syllabus.
● Communication: General class information, such as reminders and cancellations, will
be sent via email at umcpala@gmail.com.

COURSE MATERIALS
● Helpful Websites:
○ https://www.memrise.com/courses/english/?q=twi
○ Youtube Clips
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FEBRUARY
Date Lesson After Class
*(3:00-4:00pm)*
Lesson 1 Unit 1: Basics - Study flashcards
- Icebreaker - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Goals for the semester
Feb. 10th - Review of Introductions/Greetings
*FIRST DAY OF
CLASS!*

Lesson 2 Unit 1: Review Continued - Study flashcards

- Short Quiz on Introductions - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Introductions, Part 2
Feb. 24th - Review of Pronouns

MARCH
Date Lesson After Class
*(3:00-4:00pm)*
 Lesson 3 Unit 1: Review Continued - Study flashcards
- Short Quiz on Introductions - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Common vocabulary and pop
March 3rd culture words

Lesson 4 Unit 2: Communicating in Different - Study flashcards

Contexts - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Short Vocab Quiz
March 10th - Review of vocabulary
- Common Twi Verbs

Lesson 5 Unit 2: Communicating at Home/with - Study flashcards

Friends - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Short Verb/Vocab Quiz
March 17th - Common food vocabulary
- Interactions with different family
members
- Review of verbs

Saturday *Practice your new skills w. family and

March 24th friends!*
*NO CLASS*
SPRING BREAK
March 18th-25th

Lesson 6 Unit 2: Communicating in the - Study flashcards

Marketplace - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Short Verb/Vocab Quiz
March 31st - Common food vocabulary
- Interactions in a Ghanaian market
- Review of verbs

APRIL
Date Lesson After Class
*(3:00-4:00pm)*
Lesson 7 Unit 3: Communicating at School - Study flashcards
- Quick review of marketplace - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Common vocabulary used in
April 7th school
 Lesson 8 Unit 3: Communicating at School - Study flashcards
- Short Vocab Quiz - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Vocabulary, part 2
April 14th - Dialogues about school

Lesson 9 Unit 4: Review of Class - Study flashcards

- Short Quiz on Dialogues - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday - Flex Day
April 21st - Start movie

Lesson 10 Unit 4: Review of Class - Study flashcards

- Course Feedback, resources for - Practice twi on memrise
Saturday practicing twi in the summer ---------------------------------------------------------------
April 28th - Movie Day! FINALS WEEK
- Potluck May 12th-18th
*LAST DAY OF
CLASS!* *YOU'VE GOT THIS*