Course Syllabus

California State University, San Bernardino
College of Education


Basic course information
Course Name: Opinion Express
Hour: 3 hours a week
Level: Intermediate ~ Advanced

Professor / instructor information
Instructor: TaeJong Yu
Tel: 01050234112
Email: tenkgu@gmail.com

A course rationale / purpose
The purpose of this course is to improve students’ expression skills in English of speaking and writing while debating topics which are intriguing contemporary stories. This will help drag students desire to express themselves or the opinion of it. Students will engage in conversations to prepare for and participate in a debate, and will take a position and support it orally or in writing, then will present it before peers. After this course, students will be able to express of at least five topics. This course pursues not only enhancing language but also guiding students to right direction in the context of education.

Course objectives
Goal 1, Standard 1
To use English to communicate in social settings: Students will use English to participate in social interactions
Goal 2, Standard 2
To use English to achieve academically in all content areas: Students will use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter information in spoken and written form
Goal 3, Standard 1
To use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways:Students will use the appropriate language variety, register, and genre according to audience, purpose, and setting

Texts / readings
Vorhees, D. (2005). Let’s talk funny. LIS KOREA. (ISBN-10 : 898629740X)

Course assignments/tests
• Personal response paper (20 points)
Reading each story each group chose for the next session and respond to the questions given in 1~2 pages long.
• Participation (10 points)
Active participation in debate and presentation.
• Group discussion paper (40 points)
In session 2 and 3, each group have discussion about the topic each group chose, made conclusion on the topic, then write it in a large paper given.
• Presentation (30 points)
In session 4 and 5, each group have discussion about the topic each group chose, made conclusion on the topic, then prepare the presentation to explain and persuade the group’s opinion on each topic. The presentation will be 3~5 minutes and questions will be followed by peers.

Scoring Criteria and Evaluation Scale








100 ~ 92 : A 91~ 88 : B+ 87~80 : B 79~70 : C 69~65 : D <65 : F

Course policies
• All cell phones/pages MUST be turned off during class time
• Students are expected to attend each class-attendance will be taken.
• Each student is expected to read assigned material prior to class and participate in class discussions.

Course outline/tentative schedule
























Course objectives references of Sources:

ESL Standards: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Retrieved February 21, 2010 from, http://www.tesol.org/s_tesol/sec_document.asp?CID=113&DID=316