Freshman English is a first-year required course. The goal of the course is primarily to improve the proficiency of students in communicative language skills with an emphasis on speaking and writing. A functional, notional approach is taken to planning objectives to help students gain confidence in using English in social interactions. Therefore, active participation in the class is a prerequisite for successful completion. A variety of activities are used throughout the year including dialogues, role-plays, pair work, small group projects and whole class discussions. The syllabus includes a general review of grammar and many class activities attempt to integrate these grammar components. Therefore, students are given the opportunity to apply the rules to real-life situations that they might encounter in an English-speaking country. Teachers encourage students to monitor their grammar usage while improving their level of fluency.

Goals for first semester: 1. Speaking a. To focus on conversational fluency in social interactions b. To speak with fewer simple grammar mistakes c. To feel comfortable speaking in situations similar to those described in Interchange 3 d. To improve pronunciation and intonation 2. Vocabulary To increase vocabulary, especially vocabulary related to the topics in Interchange 3 3. Grammar To increase usage of already-learned grammar in writing and speaking 4. Listening a. To improve comprehension of conversations between speakers on a variety of topics b. To focus on conversational fluency in social interactions 5. Writing To use writing as a basis for, or as a natural outflow of, other activities such as information sharing, group work, and discussion

Grammar Dimensions 3 by Stephen H. Thewlis 4th Edition 2007

Interchange 3 by Jack C. Richards 3rd Edition 2005