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You will be evaluated on a portfolio of your writing done over the year. This includes the compositions you do and your journal.

1. Journal

You will write a journal which will count for 30% of your marks each term (see the Journal sheet).

2. Essay Tests

Communicative writing will not have any required essay tests this year.
Essay tests are not a good way of testing your writing ability, but they are good practice if you plan to take a test such as the Test of Written English (TWE).
Students who would like to practice writing under test-like conditions should see me to arrange a mock test.
Educational Testing Services (ETS) has a collection of sample questions from the Test of Written English (TWE). If you would like a copy, ask me in class.

3. Portfolio

During the term, you will write compositions on topics you choose.
You will use several ways of revising compositions.
You will use a check-list to review your own compositions. Other students will read your compositions, make comments and ask questions.
The teacher will make suggestions, ask questions and mark mistakes in your compositions.
You will revise your compositions based on classmates' suggestions, the teacher's suggestions, and your own ideas.
During the term I will not grade your compositions (i.e., put A, B, C, D, etc. on them).
You will keep all of your compositions you write. Together with your journal they make up your portfolio. Keep them in an envelope, folder, clear pocket file, or on disk.
At the end of the year I will give you a grade based on the portfolio of work you have done during the year.
These essays will be 70% of your mark each term, so be very careful not to lose them.

4. Materials

Two B-5 size notebooks for your journal (Students planning on submitting compositions electronically will not need journal notebooks).
Loose-leaf paper for compositions.
A folder, envelope, or clear pocket file for your writing.
A cassette tape of 60 minutes length (it need not be new).
A Walkman style tape player.

5. Composition Revision

I will use the tape you give me to respond to your composition.
Give me your tape at the same time as you turn in your composition.
At the beginning of each class, I will return your tape with my comments.
Listen to my comments and make the necessary changes to your composition.
If you don't understand something I have said, or think I have misunderstood what you have written, say something to me.
If you wish to keep all of the comments I make, be sure to stop your tape at the end of my comments each week and I will continue recording from that point.

6. Grading

All of you enter this class with different writing abilities.
My goal in this course is to start with your current writing level and challenge you to improve.
If you do your journal each week, attend class regularly, show that you have written throughtful compositions, and work hard on improving your writing, you will receive an A.

Submitting Compositions

Between the end of class on the second and fourth Saturdays and at least two days before the next class, students must submit their composition.
Students may submit compositions in class, by mail or by e-mail.
The teacher will also send assignments by mail or e-mail to students who are unable to attend a class and who cannot access this web site.
BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPOSITIONS IN THE REQUIRED FORMAT

Textbooks

All students must have a good English learner's English-English Dictionary such as:

The Cambridge International Dictionary of English,
The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,
The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary,
The Collins Cobuild Dictionary.

Note:

Students who have a good English-English dictionary need not buy a new one.



		You will be evaluated on a portfolio of your writing done over the year. This includes the compositions you do and your journal. 1. Journal You will write a journal which will count for 30% of your marks each term (see the Journal sheet). 2. Essay Tests Communicative writing will not have any required essay tests this year. Essay tests are not a good way of testing your writing ability, but they are good practice if you plan to take a test such as the Test of Written English (TWE). Students who would like to practice writing under test-like conditions should see me to arrange a mock test. Educational Testing Services (ETS) has a collection of sample questions from the Test of Written English (TWE). If you would like a copy, ask me in class. 3. Portfolio During the term, you will write compositions on topics you choose. You will use several ways of revising compositions. You will use a check-list to review your own compositions. Other students will read your compositions, make comments and ask questions. The teacher will make suggestions, ask questions and mark mistakes in your compositions. You will revise your compositions based on classmates' suggestions, the teacher's suggestions, and your own ideas. During the term I will not grade your compositions (i.e., put A, B, C, D, etc. on them). You will keep all of your compositions you write. Together with your journal they make up your portfolio. Keep them in an envelope, folder, clear pocket file, or on disk. At the end of the year I will give you a grade based on the portfolio of work you have done during the year. These essays will be 70% of your mark each term, so be very careful not to lose them. 4. Materials Two B-5 size notebooks for your journal (Students planning on submitting compositions electronically will not need journal notebooks). Loose-leaf paper for compositions. A folder, envelope, or clear pocket file for your writing. A cassette tape of 60 minutes length (it need not be new). A Walkman style tape player. 5. Composition Revision I will use the tape you give me to respond to your composition. Give me your tape at the same time as you turn in your composition. At the beginning of each class, I will return your tape with my comments. Listen to my comments and make the necessary changes to your composition. If you don't understand something I have said, or think I have misunderstood what you have written, say something to me. If you wish to keep all of the comments I make, be sure to stop your tape at the end of my comments each week and I will continue recording from that point. 6. Grading All of you enter this class with different writing abilities. My goal in this course is to start with your current writing level and challenge you to improve. If you do your journal each week, attend class regularly, show that you have written throughtful compositions, and work hard on improving your writing, you will receive an A. Submitting Compositions Between the end of class on the second and fourth Saturdays and at least two days before the next class, students must submit their composition. Students may submit compositions in class, by mail or by e-mail. The teacher will also send assignments by mail or e-mail to students who are unable to attend a class and who cannot access this web site. BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPOSITIONS IN THE REQUIRED FORMAT Textbooks All students must have a good English learner's English-English Dictionary such as: The Cambridge International Dictionary of English, The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, The Collins Cobuild Dictionary. Note: Students who have a good English-English dictionary need not buy a new one.