writing homework

 

English  Conversation  Partner  Program,  Spring  2015   Written  Reflection  Assignment  for  International  Student  Participants  

 

Due  Monday,  May  11,  3  pm   Submit  a  paper  copy  of  your  reflection  to  Prof.  Goss,  Arts  &  Sciences  Building,  room  240  

         

Your  paper  must  be  2  to  3  pages  total  (double-­‐spaced,  typed),  with  a  word   count  of  250  words  per  page.    Respond  to  all  3  questions,  answering  all  parts   of  each  question  prompt.       Include  the  Honor  Code  in  full  and  sign  your  name.    If  you  need  help   understanding  the  questions,  please  speak  with  Prof.  Goss.  

         

  1.  LANGUAGE  SKILLS     Describe  how  meeting  with  your  partner  has  helped  your  English  language  skills.     • Think  about  your:  

v Listening  skills   v Pronunciation   v Ability  to  ask  and  answer  questions  informally   v Ability  to  understand  and  use  everyday  English  vocabulary,  including  slang  and  

idiomatic  expressions   v Use  of  grammar,  such  as  proper  use  of  verb  tenses  and  pronouns   v Overall  confidence  when  speaking    

• Compare  your  use  of  English  at  the  beginning  of  the  semester  with  the  end  of  the  semester.       What  improvements  have  you  made?    Describe  2  or  3  improvements.  

• In  general,  how  was  your  first  meeting  different  from  your  final  conversation  session?       • Think  about  your  participation  in  discussions  during  your  CORE  class  or  other  discussion  

classes.    Do  you  speak  in  class  more  often  because  of  the  practice  you've  had  with  your  partner   this  semester?  

       

2.  CULTURAL  KNOWLEDGE     In  general,  how  has  your  overall  understanding  of  US  culture  changed  since  the   beginning  of  the  semester?         Describe  something  new  (at  least  3  aspects)  about  US  culture  that  you've  learned  about  through   your  conversation  sessions.    Be  specific.  

• You  could  write  about  daily  life  in  the  US  or  significant  cultural  traditions.     • Describe  these  new  aspects  of  US  culture  with  specific  details.       • Why  are  these  cultural  details  important?     • How  will  your  new  cultural  knowledge  help  you  in  future  semesters  as  a  college  student  

studying  in  the  US?                 (Continued  on  page  2)  

 

 

Describe  a  specific  area  in  which  you  found  unexpected  or  surprising  similarities  between  US   culture  and  your  home  culture.      Why  do  you  think  you  were  you  surprised  to  find  similarities   instead  of  differences?         Do  you  have  a  new  understanding  of  how  some  US  students  view  your  home  country?      If  yes,  will   this  be  helpful  as  you  interact  with  US  students  in  the  future?       3.  INTERACTIONS  WITH  US/DOMESTIC  STUDENTS     How  has  your  participation  in  the  conversation  program  changed  how  you  interact   with  US  students?         Describe  your  own  development  in  terms  of  your  interactions  with  US  students  on  campus.    

• Was  this  experience  challenging  or  difficult?  In  what  ways?   • Do  you  think  that  you  will  interact  with  US  students  more  often  in  the  future?       • Do  you  think  that  your  future  interactions  with  US  students  will  be  more  positive?    Will  

future  interactions  be  more  meaningful  and  less  artificial?             At  the  start  of  the  semester  you  were  asked  to  say  which  of  the  following  goals  was  most  important   to  you  as  a  participant  in  the  conversation  program:        

• Learn  about  the  US  culture/country     • Share  my  home  culture/country  with  Valpo  US  students   • Spend  time  with  Valpo  US  students  and  have  positive  interactions  with  Valpo  US  students     • Learn  about  how  Valpo  US  students  think  about  my  home  culture/country    

  Now  that  the  semester  is  over,  what  was  actually  the  most  important  part  of  the  experience  for   you?    Did  you  get  out  of  the  experience  what  you  had  hoped  or  expected  to?                  

Include  the  Honor  Code  and  sign  your  name    

     

  Due  Monday,  May  11,  3  pm  

Submit  a  paper  copy  of  your  reflection  to  Prof.  Goss,  Arts  &  Sciences  Building,  room  240