This course is intended to help students develop critical thinking and effective reading strategies. In order to accomplish this, teamwork, cultural study, and practical language skills are emphasised as the course progresses. The sessions in this semester will focus on the following areas: (1) active reading skills; (2) presentation skills and group work; (3) critical thinking. A wide range of reading and multi-media materials are selected to associate language learning with the students’ daily life, personal development, as well as their knowledge about the latest development in culture, science, entertainment, news, etc. Information about English spoken outside USA will also be introduced, so as to broaden students’ worldview. In addition, the students will be provided with readings about how to be a happy and successful individual in their college life. The course aims to balance lectures with classroom activities, which include group discussion and presentation, film viewing and critique, performance, Q&A, report writing, and occasionally language games. With guidance from the instructor, the students will learn essential language and social skills by completing various tasks. Given the focus on communication and interaction, students’ participation in discussion and activities is crucial, and the atmosphere in the classroom is expected to be relaxing yet intellectually stimulating. ◎Please note that this course will be taught in English.

It is hoped that students will become an active and critical reader of various English texts, as well as work effectively with group members.

(1) Attendance: Students who are absent (i.e. no-show without advanced notices to the instructor) for more than 10 hours in this semester will be flunked (max. 59 points).Students who are present in all classes get ONE extra point, which will be added to their final scores. Group leaders will also get ONE extra point. (2) Punctuality: late attendance for more than 30 minutes with no prior notice to the instructor will be regarded as absence. (3) Assignments: Assignments submitted up to one week late of the deadline will have 10 points deducted, unless the student is in extreme conditions (such as illness, accidents, financial and family issues, etc.) and obtains the instructor’s consent in advance. Late submission for more than two weeks will NOT be marked. (4) Plagiarism: In written reports, students should acknowledge ALL words, ideas, and resources that are not their own. Plagiarism caught by the instructor incurs penalties, such as: (1) first-time offence: verbal warning plus 10 points deducted; (2) repeated offence: no point. For guidelines regarding plagiarism and how to avoid it, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/05/; http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/02/