American Culture and Language Seminar

Course Outline

 

Objective:  To help international students understand the academic practices and policies vital to success at college and to assist them in adjusting to life in the United States.

 

Course Description

As a continuation of the intensive orientation program which takes place prior to the start of classes, this seminar offers students a more in-depth examination of the college culture and the culture of the community around them.  The seminar presents a distillation of topics relevant to the acculturation of adults enrolled in a program of higher education.  The seminar meets once each week for five weeks (for one hour and fifteen minutes each session) in the Marist College Language Center. The workshop uses an interactive, multimedia approach based on proven ESL pedagogy. 

 

Seminar Lesson Plans

Week One:

·         American Culture Quiz and discussion

·         Brief review of syllabus

·         Discussion of classroom etiquette in USA vs. home country of students

·         Review homework: new words, phrases, and observations  students have experienced during the first week

·         Cultural reading:  The American Character followed by discussion

 

            Assignment:

                        Prepare "How To" presentation for week three

·         Students prepare a 5 - 7 min. oral presentation to be delivered in front of the class and videotaped

·         Students "teach" the topic of their choice:

                  - explain the topic

                  - give the background and history

                  - explain the components

                  - explain the process

                  - demonstrate the process

                  - ask and answer questions

                  - allow the audience to participate

                        Week Two:

·         Introduce Formal Academic Writing

·         Discuss paper formats:

                  MLA

                  APA

                  Chicago style, etc.

                      show St. Martin's website reference:                                                                           http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/

      Video: Citing sources

·         Discuss plagiarism, academic honesty

·         Give information about Marist College library, Writing Center, proofreading service, etc.

·         Brief tips about public presentations 

                       

                        Week Three:             

·         Students teach the class with oral presentations

·         Fellow students critique presentations online           

·         Each student is videotaped and makes an appointment for an individual session with the instructor to view the video for evaluation of pronunciation, diction, speed, volume, eye-contact, and use of visuals, etc.

                       

                        Week Four:

·         Writing - Explanation of grammatical conventions using students' English proficiency exams as a basis

·         Review of idiomatic expressions and problematic "two-word" verbs

·         Review of homework: new words, phrases, and observations  students have experienced during the first month

 

                        Week Five:

·         Discuss attitudes, values, and lifestyles, holidays, customs and business (supported by cultural readings)

·         Students do in-class internet research to support discussion

·         Students give two minute impromptu oral presentations on topics drawn at random

·         Seminar evaluation