Homework for Friday, March 21st

HOMEWORK for this FRIDAY:

1. As a preparation for our guest speaker about the topic of L2 next Monday, please read the text "The Role of Grammar in the Communicative Classroom" which I will distribute today in class for Friday, March 21st. (For those who are interested: here's a JSTOR review article by Terry Ballmann evaluating this text. It is chapter 2 out of a methodology textbook for foreign language instructors, The Communicative Classroom.)


2. Answer questions 1 + 2 on the handout in written form (email, or hard copy).

3. Write a short statement of what YOU think about teaching "no grammar," or "grammar for grammar's sake" in second language learners' classes.

Tip: This would make a good topic for your surveys, too!


IN-CLASS ACTIVITY on WEDNESDAY, March 19th:

1. Mini-Lesson by Amanda Yates
2. Work on our surveys

a) get together in groups, and discuss your survey project
b) take one index card per group, and write on it in this order:
- your survey's title
- the name of your group members
- a definition of your audience
- the purpose of your survey
- your anticipated outcome
- statement of need
(WHY this survey is important; what kind of new data it will procure)

Submit your index cards to me for approval by the end of today's lesson.

c) Brainstorm possible questions for your survey (just one paper per group).

d) Begin to compose the introductory letter to your audience.

e) Find research articles dealing with your topic, for the "Literature Review" part of your research paper about the survey.

ASSIGN ROLES TO YOUR DIFFERENT GROUP MEMBERS! For example, one person looks up research, another begins the introductory letter, another notes down the questions you put together...

IF ONE OF YOUR GROUP MEMBERS IS MISSING TODAY, it's your responsibility to contact that person to tell him/her what you've done, and what you expect him/her to do!