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.

Students are required to enroll in the course and to attend class three times a week for five hours total. Through this course, students will: (1) increase English language skills (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and be able to pass language-proficiency exams; (2) become active learners who can question the text and reflect on their own social surrounding; (3) foster a sense of collaboration through different group tasks, such as dialogue, role-play, pair work, etc. as a learning community.

1. Reading Keys 3, by Miles Craven, 2009, MacMillan
2. Outside Readings (3 simplified versions of literary works assigned by the instructor)
3. Supplementary Class Materials