Cheng Shiu University
Spring 2009 Syllabus
Course Title:
Language and Culture
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2 yr. Program Nights Junior
Time: Wednesdays
20:10~21:55
School year: 2009
Hours: 2 weekly
Instructor: Elena Kolodkina
Teaching Objectives 1:
• The course is designed for preintermediate to intermediate English as a
Second Language learners
• The goal of the course is to get students
to speak and to act comfortably in an
North American culture
• Students share their own cultural
thoughts, and experiences, and compare
these with the behaviors, customs, and
everyday situations common to life in
North America
Teaching Objectives 2:
• Cross-Cultural Studies is an integrated skill
course
• Students will develop communication skills
of reading, listening, speaking and writing
• The material is mainly based on dialogues
and situations drawn from everyday life
enable students to compare North
American culture with Taiwan culture
Teaching Content:
Week 1
• Course Introduction, Review
Syllabus, Expectations, FAQ
• Unit 1. Getting Along with People
(introductions), small talk, distance
and space requirements, hand
gestures, facial gestures)
Week 2
• Unit 1. Getting Along with People
(small talk, distance and space
requirements, hand gestures, facial
gestures)
Week 3
Unit 2.
Attending School
(learning about North
American)
Week 4
Unit 2.
Attending School
(rules for attending North American
school, asking for help)
Week 5
Unit 3.
Building Friendships
(friendships across cultures,
image)
Week 5
Unit 3.
Building Friendships
(sharing good and bad times,
problem situations)
Week 6
Unit 4.
Building Dating
(dating across cultures, dating
customs)
Week 7
Unit 4.
Building Dating
(compliments and conversation)
Week 8
Unit 5.
Sharing Common Interests
(North American Humor,
superstitions, telling ‘ghost
stories’, attitudes toward wild
animals and pets)
Week 9
• Midterm written test
Week 10
Unit 6.
Participating in Social
Events
(social events, saying the right
thing at weddings and funerals)
Week 11
Participating in Social Events
(going out with friends, the concept
of time, dining out with friends)
Week 12
Unit 7.
Shopping
(places to shop, making your
purchase, talking with
salespersons, problems and
solutions)
Week 13
Unit 7.
Shopping
(places to shop, making your
purchase)
Week 14
Unit 7.
Shopping
(talking with sales,
problems and solutions)
Week15
Unit 8.
Using the telephone
(learning about the telephone,
talking on the telephone,
business and social uses of
telephone)
Week16
Unit 8.
Using the telephone
(using the directory, exploring North
America, special uses of telephone)
Week 17
Unit 9.
Going to the doctor
(preparing for a visit to a doctor,
visiting the doctor)
Week 18
Final Oral
Presentation
Week 18
FinalOral
Presentation
Teaching methods:
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partner and small group practice
individual and group presentations
role playing
quick customs quizes
Teaching Evaluation:
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Midterm exam – 25%
Final Exam – 25%
Classroom participation – 25%
Homework/Quizzes/Attendance –
25%
Attendance:
Missing more than 12 hours is
mandatory failure
Textbook:
Rhona B. Gen, Martha Graves Cum
Culturally Speaking