Class Descriptions:

 Academic Speaking

(7.5 hours/week)

Carnegie Mellon students are expected to take on tasks that require robust academic fluency. These tasks include expressing ideas orally in the classroom, collaborating with other students, and giving formal presentations. This class is designed to strengthen speaking and listening skills for the Carnegie Mellon classroom. The culture of the US classroom will also be examined to help students understand the behavior and language expected of them. Students will develop academic fluency in their fields as well as in less formal contexts.

Areas to be emphasized are:

• making formal presentations
• presenting ideas in class and in small groups
• understanding lectures
• asking and answering questions
• participating in class discussions and in group projects

At the end of this course, students are required to participate in a full day of student presentations. These presentations give students a chance to integrate the skills mastered in ACC and will be used as part of the final evaluation.

Academic Reading and Writing

(7.5 hours/week)

A student's ability to read and write well relies not only on linguistic skills but also on the ability to recognize and use the conventions of written academic English. This class is designed to help students develop the reading and writing skills they need for academic work at Carnegie Mellon.

General areas to be emphasized are:

• learning the expectations of the US style of writing
• recognizing and using organizational patterns appropriate to academic writing
• using transitions to make clear connections between ideas
• practicing strategies for academic reading
• understanding how general principles are applied in specific fields
• citing sources and avoiding plagiarism

At the end of this course, students are required to present a portfolio of their work in reading and writing to the instructor. The portfolio will be used as part of the final evaluation of the course. Students will gain a clear understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses in reading and writing and develop a plan for improvement.

Additional Sessions

(3-4 hours/week)

• Workshop on Cultural and Social Practices provides a basis to better understand references, examples, and analogies that students will encounter during academic work at Carnegie Mellon and gives students the opportunity to practice the classroom interaction commonly expected in the US.
• Individual tutoring appointments for writing and speaking

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