Evaluation

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). Viewing it requires Acrobat Reader. 

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.