Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
English for Specific Purposes
Policy
Spring 2005
Overview: This three-hour-per-week course is designed to provide students with instruction and practice in English for specific purposes (ESP) from a content-based instruction (CBI) perspective. The latter mentioned approach seems particularly applicable to ESP and for that reason we will try to merge them here. We will also be looking at some of the major sub-fields contained with the scope of ESP (English for academic purposes, Business English, English for law, Test preparation, etc.).
Objectives: This course has two basic sides: the theoretical and the practical. By the end of the course all students should have acquired a deeper understanding of the issues and implementation of ESP programs, particularly from a CBI perspective. Once more, the student should be able to demonstrate their knowledge by engaging in a critical assessment of materials related to ESP or CBI. This will take place in the regular class time in the form of small group projects for each class.
Text and Materials:
• Hutchinson, Tom and Waters, Allan. (1987). English for specific purposes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
This is the main text and we will be covering all of it.
• Kasper, Loretta. (2000). Content-based college ESL instruction. Mahwah, NJ.: Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.
• Snow, M.A. and D. Brinton. (Eds.) (1997). The Content-based classroom. White Plains, NY.: Longman.
These two texts are highly recommended not only because we will be covering a fair bit of them, but also because they are very interesting books. Students do not need to buy them because the readings from them will be in the reading packet, but they are recommended.
● The ESP Reading Packet
This is a collection of all the required readings for this class which do not come from Hutchinson & Waters (1987). Students can buy this at Copy Zone.
■ In addition to the main texts there will also be a large amount of other materials for which the students will be held responsible. These will come in the form of handouts and photocopies provided by the instructor. Do not lose them or forget to bring them to class.
Additional Materials: Students must bring to each class a folder to hold any papers that the instructor gives out.
Methodology
English Only: Students must conduct all course work in English. This means all writing, note-taking, and discussion should be in English. This is stipulated so that student may get the maximum benefit from immersion in this program.
Classroom: Various approaches will be employed in the classroom. Direct lecturing on the part of the instructor will kept to a minimum while group work, presentations, in-class activities, and direct and indirect questioning will be stressed. Remember students, the classroom is supposed to serve as a model. Be critical and observant of what your instructor does.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Two or more absences will result in a significantly lowered final grade. Being late twice is counted as an absence. Arriving more than half an hour late is also counted as an absence. Students themselves are responsible for all material covered and assigned in class during their absence. If you are going to be absent and know it beforehand, make sure you contact your teacher as far in advance as possible.
Assignments
Homework: Students will be given homework for each class. Most of the homework will be either in the form of reading with focus questions to answer or even exercises which will come in the form of handouts. All written assignments, unless you are told otherwise, must be typed and handed in during class on the day they are due.
Winter Reading Project: Before the course begins students are expected to read one book in its entirety. The book for the ESP winter reading project is:
♦ Lewis, Michael and Jimmie Hill. (1992). Practical techniques for language teaching. Hove, LTP.
Students should be prepared to discuss this reading on the first day of class.
Exams
Midterm: The midterm will be due around the half way point of the class (end of April). It will consist of a short preliminary report on what the student has undertaken to date on the final project.
Final: The final will take the form of a paper. There will be several different options available for the final exam depending on the individual student`s area of interest. Student should come talk to me early on in the course about possibilities for the final. The final is due no later than June Xth.
Grades: Final grades will be based on performance in the following categories.
Assignments 30%
Participation 20%
Presentations 10%
Midterm 10%
Final 30%
Important Notes
-Late assignments will not be accepted for marks and missed in class work cannot be made up. If, however, you know in advance that you will be late or absent make sure you contact the teacher and maybe something can be worked out.
-The penalty for plagiarism and cheating is automatic failure. Don`t try it.
Instructor - Stephen P. van Vlack
Office - Sookmyung Professional Center 410
Tel. - 710-7761
E-mail - [email protected]
Web site
There will be a web site for this class. Each week both before and after class materials will be added to the site, so male sure you check it regularly. The address is: http://www.geocities.com/utlaagt