Wednesday, 8 January 2020

1C Course Overview


1C English focuses on developing basic reading and writing skills as well as improving your oral English (listening and speaking) in addition to mastering grammar and vocabulary at a lower-intermediate level.


Reading
Reading will serve to develop your understanding of English written literature and the English speaking world, as well as to strengthen your comprehension, analysis, and interpretation.


We will start our school year with a graphic novel The Kite Runner1 which is set in Afghanistan. The Kite Runner is the first novel by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. It tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, whose closest friend is Hassan, his father's young Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of Afghanistan monarchy through the Soviet military intervention, the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime.


We will go on with “Bend it like Beckam”2 by Narinder Dhami. Jess' parents want her to be a nice, conventional Indian girl. They pray she will settle down, study for law school, and learn to cook the perfect chapatti. But Jess has other plans. She wants to play soccer like her hero, David Beckham. After all, anyone can cook aloo gobi, but who can bend it like Beckham?
I really liked this book because it was funny and it wasn't hard to understand. I also liked this book because it had lots of depth to it and it would lighten up anyone’s day! And we think the book is saying whatever colour or religion you are you can still be your own person.” said Paige Bennet. I think you will also enjoy this book and the film that we are going to watch.

Writing
Through a number of different writing assignments – from writings based on grammar topics to biographies, narratives or descriptives, without omitting the spy mission - you will practise your writing skills. You will also be writing about literature in many creative ways. You should expect to write once every two weeks at least , whether in a quick follow-up activity or for a major class essay.
 
Grammar3
We will devote one period a week to grammar. Grammar topics will be introduced via a variety of material especially created by your team of English teachers and your course book. They will be seen in context then practised, exercised and hopefully mastered in Wider World. You should expect to be regularly assigned grammar exercises as homework .


Vocabulary 4


In order to increase your proficiency in English for daily written and oral language, vocabularies will be studied by topic-based chapters and will lead to situation role-playing, listening activities or quick writing. Be ready to learn about one -two pages every week and have a final test on every chapter. Vocabulary tests might take the shape of listening tests as well. We will practice vocabulary with quizlet in our language laboratory.



Use flashcards if you have trouble remembering difficult words. Pay a special attention to phonetics, as many tests will involve oral comprehension or expression as well. If you don't know how to pronounce a word, it will affect your listening and speaking skills.

Speaking

Major oral presentations in front of the class (at least one each semester on English-speaking countries in the world and on bands or singers of your choice), in pairs or groups ,will challenge your speaking skills.
Knowing your vocabulary or your grammar is a good thing, but being able to come up with the exact word or tense you need is better. Therefore, role plays and skits will offer you many ways to express yourself. Your imagination will be at work. Always make the effort to ask your questions in English! It's rewarding.
While reading a book, all activities which involve sharing information with your classmates or presenting feedback on a chapter you have read, alone or in group, will give you opportunities to practise your oral expression. 
 
Listening and understanding
During classes, I speak English only so your listening skills will be constantly challenged. If you have trouble understanding what I say, you are most welcome to ask me to repeat, I will do so. I am ready to find alternatives to let my explanations sink into your mind - other words, gestures, drawings, ... - but bear in mind French should be avoided as much as possible. However, as soon as the bell rings, feel free to come to my desk and ask for extra explanation, then we may chat in French :-). Expect regular listening tests on topics studied. Watching films based on the novels we have read is good practice too.

Documents and internet
Most of the material which I hand out to students can be found in your class folder on educanet or on my blog7, allowing students to access a document even if they have been absent or if it happens to be lost .
In case of absence or illness, it is each student's responsibility to inquire about the material received or the assignments due. You always have the opportunity to contact me by e-mail7.

Recommended Online dictionary wordreference
pronunciation on youtube.    www.emmasaying.com

Tests and marks
Small vocabulary tests will be grouped and their average (decimal, unrounded) will give you a full mark , equivalent to any other mark you will get in writing, reading comprehension, ... .You will have an extra vocabulary test so you will be allowed to leave out the worst mark if you have attended all tests at the end of the school year. In addition to the vocabulary tests mentioned above, expect two tests in each skill (reading comprehension, writing, speaking and listening). All the tests are worth the same , except vocabulary tests. It is your job to keep your marks updated. 

Teacher’s word
Please be sure to come to class prepared (which means ready for tests , exercises done or chapters read), with all the necessary equipment for each lesson. I hand out a lot of photocopies, make an effort to organize them into files so as to find them easily when needed. Switch off your cell phones and open your mind.
Finally, if you find yourself in trouble, academically or otherwise, please come and see me sooner rather than later so we can work together to find a way to get you back on track. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I will make time to see you one-on-one.
I hope this will be a good year for you in English




Martine Guignard








1The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseiny, Riverhead, 2001
2Bend it like Beckam, , Narinder Dhami , Hodders children books, 2002
3 Wider World, Students’ Book, Level 4, Pearson ELT, 2018
4 Claude Gosset: Petit vocabulaire actuel, edition OPHRYS, 2016
7   https://mguignardwebsite.blogspot.com 
 my email: martine.guignardschneider@vd.educanet2.ch
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