Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common
questions of students and parents.
- How does our homework grade work?
- I heard your orals are not scripted.... how do they work?
- Do you give the class a printout of our grades?
- Do you give extra credit work?
How does our homework grade work?
When you are assigned homework, it will definitely be checked or
collected.
Often, it will be checked quickly in class and marked in my
gradebook as being a completed homework or not, then we will
review the homework as a class so that you know how you did and
understand any errors you may have made.
If you did not do your homework, or it was only partially (or
poorly) done, it will go in my gradebook as a minus-one (missed)
homework which means you will not get credit for it. At the end
of every week, you will get a homework grade. So, for example,
if I gave 3 homework assignments that week, and you only did 2 of
them, your grade would be a 2 out of 3 for the week. Each week's
homework grade counts towards 10% of your quarter grade.
I am a stickler with homework because it is my way of knowing
that you are able to apply what I've taught in class; that you
have grasped the concepts taught while alone at home.
I heard your orals are not scripted.... how do they work?
I believe that orals should resemble real conversations. As
difficult as that may be in a foreign language, it is the best
way to prepare you for real conversation in another language.
I do not allow set partners; I chose 2 names on the spot. But
don't worry, you will have plenty of practice with different
partners beforehand so that you have the hang of it by the time
the actual oral takes place.
The logic behind this is that if I dropped you in the middle of a
remote town in Italy where no one spoke English, you would not be
able to hand a stranger an index card with pre-planned (scripted)
lines on it and tell them to recite them to you so that you can
then answer them with memorized lines (and claim that you speak
the language and are having a conversation). The reality is that
you would find yourself pulling from all you've learned and
stored in your brain, to negotiate meaning(make yourself
understood, and try to understand) and get your point across.
What I teach is the art of conversation. This means that you
need to actually listen to what your partner is asking or saying,
and answer them, then follow-up with another related question to
keep the conversation going.
You will also learn to allow your partner to do the same so that
no one dominates the conversation and it doesn't become one-sided
(like an interview).
It sounds complex, but it really isn't, and I'll help you learn
how to do it. It will seem scarey and uncomfortable at first,
but with each oral, you'll feel less nervous, and the best part
is that you'll eventually feel more confident in your language
abilities, and be better-prepared to have a "real conversation"
if you found yourself in that country, or speaking with a native
speaker.
Please note that I give practice time in class to help you
prepare for orals, and you will receive a grading rubric so that
you know what is expected of you and what grade you can attain by
covering the points on the rubric. If you refuse to do an oral,
however; it will result in an automatic zero/F grade.
Do you give the class a printout of our grades?
Now that you and your parents have access to Parent Connect,
there is no longer a need to post grades in the classroom.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU AND YOUR PARENTS GAIN ACCESS TO PARENT
CONNECT SO THAT YOU CAN CHECK YOUR GRADES.
I usually update your grades once a week, so you can always check
your grade online. Should you ever see a grade discrepancy;
please bring it to my attention and I will look into it and, if
necessary correct it, or discuss it with you.
Do you give extra credit work?
The answer is No. You will, however, have opportunities to earn
extra credit points on quizzes and tests. Most students panic at
the end of a quarter and ask for extra credit in order to bring
their grade up. My hope is that you will be conscious of your
grades and concerned with them throughout the quarter and
not just at the end of the quarter. If you take time to do your
homework, you pay attention and participate in class, and you
study for your quizzes; you should have no worries about low
grades or the need for extra credit.
