Advanced Academic Writing class1

Advanced Academic Writing class1 Eotvos University, Centre for English Teacher Training
Advanced Academic Writing

Tasks to complete before next session on 16/18 September 1996
Class #1 (September 16/18)

As the first assignment, you will have four sub-tasks to complete before you come to class next week:

TASK 1 - Read the syllabus carefully and think about comments you would like to make orally in class concerning:

(a) the general and specific objectives of the course (Do the general and specific objectives reflect your needs do you think? Would you agree with the content of the course? Would you agree to learn more about computers on a very basic level? - Mind you, you have done the first steps if you are able to read these lines!)
(b) the assignments (Is the portfolio a good system to follow the development of your writing do you think? Would this kind of assessment fit your learning styles better versus timed writing tests?)

(c) the evaluation section (Are the percentages for the various activities appropriate do you think? How would you change them to better match your needs or to better reflect the efforts you put in your writing and the quality you produce?)

(d) the timetabling of events (Do the due-dates for this class overlap with due-dates in other courses you take? If yes, how would you modify the dates in this class? You could come up with a new design (not losing the pedagogical aspects of the design, however) if you think this one is not appropriate for you.)
TASK 2 - Think about three alternative times when we could make up the first class. As for me, I am flexible apart from the times the meetings are held at the department and the times I teach other classes.
TASK 3 - Bring a 3.5-inch disc formatted for IBM that you would use only for this class. If you have difficulties formatting a disc, you could talk to the assistant in the computer lab. It takes only one command on the computer to format a disc and about three seconds to get it done. Maybe you would like to watch how he does it, and so, next time when you need to do such a thing you could do it independently of anyone.
TASK 4 - Below are 2 questionnaires. One is called 'Needs Assessment' and the other one is simply called 'Questionnaire'. I think the titles speak for themselves.
Please print out the forms, if you can, and bring them to class on 16/18 Sept (depending on which section you are taking). If you have difficulties printing it out, just take over the format and take notes as you are reading it. Then, if you could clearly mark your answers on a sheet, bring the sheet to class. (I would like to collect the sheets when we meet so that I would know a little more about your background.
If you click on either of the words, you will be taken right to the introduction part of the given sheet.

Needs Assessment

While attending university you are faced with various demands. Below are some of these, mainly related to academic expectations. These difficulties may be in association with the unknown content areas you have to deal with or to the use of English as a Second Language. We will discuss the possible differences between the two concepts in class. If you have comments concerning this topic, or you feel that for you, there is a remarkable difference, please make a note of it at the end of the sheet. Other than that, rate each demand in terms of difficulty and circle the appropriate number in the box:

5 = very difficult
4 = difficult
3 = moderate
2 = fairly easy
1 = easy

number	STATEMENT
1 2 3 4 5	Comprehending university lectures
1 2 3 4 5	Taking clear, useful notes while listening to lectures
1 2 3 4 5	Doing research
1 2 3 4 5	Writing a research paper with appropriate citations and format
1 2 3 4 5	Using the university library efficiently
1 2 3 4 5	Using other libraries efficiently
1 2 3 4 5	Using other information resources (e.g., WEB)
1 2 3 4 5	Completing assigned readings with a thorough understanding
1 2 3 4 5	Taking notes while reading for later reference
1 2 3 4 5	Integrating assigned readings, lectures notes, and library research
1 2 3 4 5	Taking in-class exams
1 2 3 4 5	Doing take home exams
1 2 3 4 5	Giving oral presentations in class
1 2 3 4 5	Communicating with other students in your classes
1 2 3 4 5	Asking questions in class
1 2 3 4 5	Writing short papers (3-4 pages)
1 2 3 4 5	Writing long papers (10+ pages)
1 2 3 4 5	Paraphrasing written material
1 2 3 4 5	Summarizing written material
1 2 3 4 5	Word-process your papers

Other problems - please specify:______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Questionnaire

Name_____________________________________________________________
Date_________________________

What other courses are you taking this semester? List each course, all major assignments with due dates (if available). Be sure to list research papers, oral presentations, essay papers, etc. Also calculate the approximate number of pages you will have to read each week for each course. You could organise the information in a table:

COURSE TITLE	ASSIGNMENTS	APPROXIMATE #OF PAGES TO READ
Introduction to Linguistics	final paper due: 20 Dec	15 per week
Methodology	final paper due: ...	15 pages per week
...	....	....

Which assignments listed above are you most concerned or worried about? Why?

For each course listed above please attach a copy of the syllabus.
Thank you.

Any questions? Eniko.Csomay@nau.edu OR csomay@ludens.elte.hu	See you soon.