Language always exists in a cultural context, and a vital part of learning language involves learning how to behave in another culture.  The following would not be allowed in a classroom in Indonesia, and will not be allowed in this one:  putting your feet up on chairs, eating or drinking in class, or chewing gum.   You are expected to be in class, on time, five days a week, with your homework prepared, ready to participate in class. This means that the reading of newspapers, discussion with friends, desperate last-minute attempts to finish homework, etc., ALL CEASE when class begins, or your classroom participation grade starts nose-diving. 

Conversations in class (even friendly attempts to explain something to a mystified classmate) can be distracting and disruptive; keep them to a minimum. Also, do not leave the classroom once class has begun unless it's a real emergency.  If you MUST leave, put up your hand and ask permission, in Indonesian (see page 5 of your Course Book).

There will be time during nearly every class period to ask questions if something is puzzling you, but there will also be times when you will need to practice something, even if you don't understand it completely; be patient and enjoy the mystery. You will also be expected to participate in group work to practice the language, so be prepared to move around and mingle.  Your behavior in class, while not graded as such, is part of your participation in class, which DOES receive a grade. BE NICE.

Finally, TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONES when you come to class. If we catch you texting, you will get a ZERO for that day's class participation.  Repeat offenders will be penalized accordingly. Something involving throwing your phone out the window, perhaps.

GRADING SYSTEM

IF YOU HAVE AT LEAST A 57 point average in your tests or higher (in other words, if you are at least within 3 points of a passing grade of 60), we will also average in up to 100 points for your classwork (which includes homework assignments and participation in class). PLEASE NOTE: we really do value class participation.  HOWEVER: If, for example, you are doing C work on your quizzes, it would take a really dramatic contrast between your test work and your daily work (when we call on you, etc.) for you to be getting an A or even a B as a classwork grade. Doing all your homework exercises will NOT necessarily get you an A in classwork (although it would be very difficult to get an A in classwork WITHOUT doing all your homework). NOTE: If you are failing in your test grades, even good daily work will not pull you over the line, so DO NOT count on getting rescued by your classwork grade if you are bombing on your test grades. We will try to give you an idea of how you are doing, classwork-grade-wise, at mid-term if not sooner.

100 points - FRIDAY TESTS: there will be 12 small tests given during the semester, worth 10 points each, the lowest TWO of which will be dropped. If you are absent when a test is being given, that test will be dropped. If you are absent for more than two tests, you must work something out with me, in advance if at all possible.

These Friday tests will take no more than 25 minutes, after which there will be cultural presentations, videos, language games, maybe food and karaoke -- who knows!

100 points - MIDTERM EXAM: this will be an hour exam, given during the week of October 10-14 after completion of Topic 4 in Keren! 1.

100 points - FINAL EXAM: this will be a two-hour exam, given at the end of the semester covering all the material given during the semester.

For the final grade, all these points will be added and divided by three; if this number is 57 or above, your classwork grade will be averaged in as well. The letter grade will be assigned according to the following values:

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60 - 69 = D

0 - 59 = F

During class time, we will usually have you sit in a semi-circle, or in small groups; we may also move you around if we get bored seeing you in the same seat all the time, so don’t get all territorial about where you sit.

For tests you will be asked to sit in alternate seats, directly behind the person in the row in front of you.