FAQ

1. What do I need to do in order to get a good grade in this class?

2. I'm not quite sure how to study a foreign language. I feel like I prepare enough for each quiz, but when I take it I am clueless.

2. How is my grade determined?

3. How do I know when assignments are due?

4. Can I turn in late work or missing assignments?

5. How do I find out what I missed when I was absent?

6. What if I am absent on the day of a test or quiz?

7. What if I am absent the day before a quiz?

8. How can I get extra help from Mr. Welch if I need it?

What do I need to do in order to get a good grade in this class?

Pay attention in class, participate in all class activities, do your workbook, and study the vocabulary. If you zone out too much in class or resist cooperating with Mr. Welch, your grade is going to suffer. When you have questions, ask them - before, during, or after class.

I'm not quite sure how to study a foreign language. I feel like I prepare enough for each quiz, but when I take it I am clueless.

How is my grade determined?

Your term grade is the average of how many points you earned out of how many points were possible throughout the entire trimester. Each chapter consists of opportunities for you to earn points. Within each chapter you can earn points on: 3 quizzes, 1 chapter project, 1 workbook, the vocabulary list, extra credit, 2-3 in-class assignments, and usually 1 dialogue.
Your final course grade (what ends up on your transcript) is a combination of your term grade and the score you earn on the final exam. The term grade accounts for 90% of the final grade, the final exam accounts for 10% of the final exam grade. There is a nifty gadget on my Final Exam Study Resources page that allows you to plug in a term grade and final exam grade to see what your final course grade would be. Give it a whirl.

How do I know when assignments are due?

The workbook, chapter project, and extra credit are always due on the last day of the chapter, which is the same day as the last quiz of the chapter. Vocabulary pages are due the next day - the first day of the new chapter.

Can I turn in late work or missing assignments?

The workbook and chapter project are big assignments (each worth 50 points) and I would hate to see you lose all those points. So, you can turn them in late. There is a late penalty - I subtract 25% of the total possible points each day. So the first day late, the most you can earn is 75% of the possible points. Two days late, the most points you can get are 50%. The third day late, you can at least still get 25% of the possible points. After that, you are down to zero and I will not accept it.
Extra credit and most other assignments are due the day they are due - no late submissions.

How do I find out what I missed when I was absent?

Check the blog from home or at the beginning of class. You don't even have to ask - just get on the student computer and do your thing.
There is a tray for your class on the student bookshelf where I put all extras of handouts. You can search there for anything I might have passed out, or print it right off the blog.

What if I am absent on the day of a test or quiz?

What if I am absent the day before a quiz or an assignment is due?

Since quizzes and assignment due dates are announced well in advance, you will be expected to take the quiz or turn in the assignment on the scheduled day. Rarely is new material covered the day before a quiz.