CALENDARIO FOR LANG 4340 Fall 2009	11:30-12:20 TR     EH 105
..Prof. Tom Mathews
Office: EH 434-A	Office Phone: 626-6345
Off. Hours: MWF 8:30-11:30; or by appointment	e-mail: tmathews@weber.edu

Foreign Language Acquisition and Teaching for Proficiency

Objectives

	Understand the current trends in Second Language Acquisition theory.
	Become acquainted with several methods used in the classroom to teach foreign languages.
	Create and teach a series of short lessons in order to practice several L2 teaching techniques.

Text Books & Materials

		Mitchell, R. & Myles, F. (2004). Second Language Learning Theories (2nd edition). London: Hodder Arnold. Available in the WSU Bookstore or online from many vendors.
		Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21^st Century (3rd edition).  You may order this directly from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
		Internet access to visit http://www.learner.org/resources/series185.html (the Annenburg/ACTFL series on foreign language teaching and the standards. You must register (for free) to view these videos. Several of them will be assigned throughout the semester.

Some Rules and Other Information

Policies on Grading Grade Descriptions A Note on Curves   If at any time during the semester you want an approximation of your grade, or if after the semester is over, you wish to know what grade you received, email the instructor at tmathews@weber.edu . Include your name and your student ID as well as a request for your grade. Policy on Late Work        Assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the day indicated in this syllabus. Things WILL be accepted later that day (after class, in my office, or in my mailbox--B1 134) but with one letter grade reduction from what they would otherwise have received. Assignments turned in through the next class period, will be reduced by 50%. After that, papers will not be accepted or graded. Exceptions to this policy must be arraigned beforehand.

Academic Honesty         It is expected that students will submit their own work. A complete description of cheating and plagiarism can be found in the WSU Student Code (Section IV, Part D, Paragraph 2). Plagiarism will result in failure on an assignment or in the course, depending on its severity.         On the other hand, students are encouraged to collaborate on assignments and to have others read their work and give comments and suggestions before turning work in.         Students with medical, psychological or learning limitations or disabilities who desire academic adjustments or accommodations, must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (tel. 626-6413). This contact should occur at least ten days prior to the time an academic adjustment or accommodation is needed. Notice: All Foreign Language Majors Senior Assessment Requirement

IMPORTANT NOTICE (H1H1)

     In the event of an extended campus closure I will continue to provide instruction by utilizing email and the Blackboard online course system. I will provide text-based assignments at least once each week and will expect you to login to the system on a regular basis to keep up with coursework. Assignments will be provided through the online system with clear due dates and expectations.

     Discussions will be made available to allow you to interact with other students and me about course material, and participation in these may be required, depending on the length of the closure. I will check my email and email within the Blackboard course on a daily basis should you need to communicate with me personally. If you are not familiar with the Blackboard system, please review the student orientation available at http://wsuonline.weber.edu/students/orientation.asp.

Please let me know by the end of the first week of the semester if you do not have access to a computer and/or the Internet from your home.

Assignments and Evaluation

	Quizzes, homework and Participation There will be a series of mostly unannounced quizzes throughout the semester. Quizzes may not be made up due to absence. From time to time, points will be given in class for participation in classroom discussions. Obviously, students who are not in class will not receive these points. Few excuses will be accepted for missing class.	20%
	Thought Papers Each student will write a series of five thought papers or position papers. These essays need not present the results of any research beyond what is presented in class and in the text, but rather, should be a synthesis of the student's ideas and concerns about the assigned topic. Nevertheless, if the words or ideas of anyone other than the student are included, proper citation must be used. It is expected that each essay will be between three and five pages, typed and double spaced. (Wikipedia and other non-reviewed on-line sources are generally considered to be unreliable and should be supported by other sources.).	25%
	Professional Development Students will engage in at least four hours of activities that would earn them  in-service professional development towards state licensure or re-licensure. This includes attending or participating in approved workshops, classes, professional organizations, conferences, etc. Two obvious possibilities are the Utah Foreign Language Association annual meeting on November 5 at Weber State University and the Rocky Mountain Modern Languages Association annual conference on October 8-10 at Snowbird, UT.	10%
	Peer Teaching Each student will prepare and present a series of five short (5 minutes) lessons to peers in the class. Each lesson will focus on certain topics or techniques.	25%
	Final Exam The final exam will be comprehensive.  It will consist of an oral section as well as short answer and essay type questions.	20%

All work in this class including the final grad will be based on the following scale:

A	93-100	C	73-76
A-	90-92	C-	70-72
B+	87-89	D+	67-79
B	83-86	D	63-66
B-	80-82	D-	60-62
C+	77-79	F	0-59

Calendar for ForLang 4340

This is a "living calendar" and is subject to change. Please check here often to see if dates for assignments or other activities have been moved.

The dates indicated on this calendar show when each reading or other assignment is due. Reading should be done before coming to class. Assignments are due during class on the date indicated.

DATE

TOPIC 

ASSIGNMENT

1

August 24

Introduction to the course. Review of Syllabus.

August 26

Discussion: Is First Language Acquisition different from Second Language Acquisition?

August 28

Presentation:  A Brief History of Foreign Language Teaching

2

August 31

(continued)

September 2

Chapter 1: Key Concepts

Read Theories pp. 5-28

September 4

Demonstration: TPR (James Asher)

Essay 1: Why do we teach L2 in our schools?

3

September 7

NO CLASS
Labor Day

September 9

Chapter 2: Recent History

Read Theories pp. 29-51

September 11

(continued)

Read Standards pp. 7-38

4

September 14

Demonstration: Audio-lingual Method

September 16

National Standards

September 18

(continued)

Read Standards pp. 39-52

5

September 21

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines

September 23

(continued)

September 25

The Oral Proficiency Interview

Essay 2: What is the role of grammar in a proficiency oriented classroom?

6

September 28

Communication: Brandon W., Kasey K. & Glenn M.

September 30

Visit by Ana Mª Eldredge

October 2

Chapter 3: Universal Grammar

Read Theories pp. 52-94

7

October 5

(continued)

October 7

Demonstration: Silent Way (Caleb Gattegno)

October 9

NO CLASS

RMMLA Conference

8

October 12

Chapter 4: Cognitive Approaches

Demonstration: Silent Way (Caleb Gattegno)

Read Theories pp. 95-130

Essay 1: Is learning L2 the same as learning L1?

October 14

October 16

NO CLASS

Fall Holiday

9

October 19

Chapter 5: Functional Perspectives

Read Theories pp. 131-158

October 21

Cultures: Brianna W., Sean J., and Matt Larsen

October 23

Visit by Dr. Ralph Vander Heide

Essay 4: Is negative affect good or bad?

10

October 26

Chapter 6: Input and Interaction

Read Theories pp. 159-192

October 28

Demonstration: Strategic Interaction (Robert J. DiPietro)
The Scenario Collection is here

October 30

11

November 2

Connections: Marion L., Spencer O. & Chance A.

November 4

Three scenarios due

Thursday, Nov. 5

UFLA Conference 2009
Weber State University

November 6

Comparisons: Brent G. & Nate B.

12

November 9

Chapter 7: Socio-cultural Perspectives

Read Theories pp. 193-222

November 11

(continued)

November 13

Testing and Grading

Essay 5: How much English should be used in a L2 classroom?

13

November 16

Communities: Brandon D., Aaron M. & Todd B.

November 18

NO CLASS

ACTFL Annual Conference
Orlando, FL

November 20

14

November 23

Chapter 8: Sociolinguistic Perspectives

Read Theories pp. 223-256

November 25

November 27

NO CLASS
Thanksgiving Day Holiday

15

November 30

Chapter 9: Conclusions

Read Theories pp. 257-262

December 2

(continued)

December 4

Review for final exam

Course evaluations

.

FINAL EXAM - EH 408

Monday, December 7

11:30 AM - 1:20 PM

...