A few teaching/learning principles

Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz - UESC

Departamento de Letras e Artes - DLA

Projeto de Extensão: Dinamizando o Ensino da Língua Inglesa na UESC

English Language & Anglophone Literatures

A few teaching/learning principles, rules and tips

In this course…

1. (for literature students) Literatures in English and the English language itself are part of the same system. That means our lingua franca is English, which should be treated as part of the learning process. Literature and language are both integrated in the subject matter we are dealing with: Anglophone Literatures.

2. If you decide to read the Portuguese version of a text, do not forget to resort to the original one in English, for this is the one we will use in our discussions and references. Again, that means our lingua franca is English.

3. The classroom as a concrete learning setting is not to be considered the main teaching/learning locus. Online and other extra-class environments are as important.

4. Active and effective engagement (synchronously or asynchronously) in all tasks and activities by the students is necessary, as it turns out to be very relevant in the grading system used (process assessment).

5. For the sake of process assessment, evidence of task accomplishment may be: relevant comments/opinions (either written or oral ones), handwritten summaries/notes, expanded research, printed pages with notes etc.

6. Students will engage in journal writing, with at least 6 entries throughout this term. [canceled – under analysis]

7. Most of our literary and theoretical readings will be done in English. Even when Portuguese is the original language of a text, discussions and written pieces should be carried out in English.

8. Besides the seemingly infinite source of internet materials related to Anglophone Literatures and the English language, the library at UESC should also be used, since it has quite a few books by Anglophone authors.

9. Working on Anglophone Literatures and the Engish language should be a pleasant experience. If you feel any kind of negative energy towards either the subject matter or the class procedures, please talk to your professor about it, especially in a diplomatic and private manner. Unpleasant postures and attitudes will be regarded as offensive and disturbing.

10. Students are stimulated to keep records of their readings and discussions for future use, beyond the limits of this term.

11. Each and every student is supposed to publicly do some talking related to the tasks previously assigned. That is one of the most important components of process assessment.

12. Students are free to ask questions and make comments at any time, except when it is a formal presentation by a classmate.

13. Students are supposed to do what they can do, according to their proficiency level (see item #1). That means there will be different levels of demand by the professor. Constantly neglecting homework assignment will be regarded as disrespectful and irresponsible.

14. This is the URL addresses you will be asked to access on a weekly basis: www.estesinversos.com

15. Use an English-English dictionary as much as you can.

16. Student autonomy should be deemed as the main characteristic and goal of college education (if not at all levels of education).

17. [Add your principle, rule or tip here]: ________________________________________