Richie's EAP1 Writing Class

2004-11-02T19:22:00.000-08:00

Relic 7
Richie Brown

The TOEFL

2004-10-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

The EAP1 Students took the TOEFL today!

At 3:00pm this afternoon in Lawson Hall, the EAP1 students joined others in CESL to test their updated English skills. A hearty portion of language arts and reading comprehension followed a healthy dose of listening comprehension. No tears were shed. Everyone looked much happier when it was all over. I hope everyone did a great job!

2004-10-13T06:55:00.000-07:00

Back Row: Hussain, Masaki, Oh, Dk. Front Row: Selena, Richie, Adriana. Much love to all of these EAP1 Students for making the term so much fun. You are all great people and I wish you the best of luck with everything you do. If you ever need help with something, let me know!
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

The class dazzled the audience with their fine-tuned speaking and analytical skills.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:47:00.000-07:00

The CESL program pauses at the end of the EOT Presentation for a picture. Many thanks to Mrs. Caldwell for taking the picture.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:43:00.002-07:00

Selena and Hussain still work together.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:43:00.001-07:00

Masaki makes a few final touches.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

Selena and Hussain team up to review the survey's findings.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

Masaki reviews his part of the EOT presentation.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:40:00.000-07:00

Selena is busy preparing her survey analysis for the End of Term Presentation.
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Adriana and Hussain think about profound, philosophical issues
Richie Brown

2004-10-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

Oh, DK, and Masaki contemplate what to do for the End of Term Presentation
Richie Brown

2004-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Oh shows off his Go Cards band on his right wrist.
Richie Brown

2004-10-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Masaki is always happy to be in class!
Richie Brown

2004-10-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

This is DK tossing up a peace sign to his people here and abroad.
Richie Brown

2004-10-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hussain is relaxin' during the Writers Workshop.
Richie Brown

The End of the First Term for Fall 2004

2004-10-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

I'm sad to say that today we have the final exam for EAP1 Writing. This term has flown by so quickly. The students are busy jamming all of their arguments into their 50-minute argumentative essays as I write this.

First, the final exam requires the students to read the following statements:
1. The Center for English as a Second Language should allow native English speakers and non-
native English speakers to teach courses in CESL.
2. The TOEFL score is the best way for Southern Illinois University to decide which international
students should be accepted by the university.
3. No store in SIU should be allowed to sell cigarettes.

Next, each student must choose only one statement to write an argumentative essay in which the student agrees or disagrees with the statement. The essay must exude proper development, logical arguments, and impeccable grammar.

Each essay needs to provide a sufficient introduction of the topic so that the reader understands the basis for those who agree and disagree with the topic. Additionally, the thesis statement for the argument needs to provide a succinct explanation as to why the author's opinion is correct. Most importantly, however, the argument needs to draw on appropriate evidence. We discussed how personal experiences and general knowledge serve as great pieces of evidence when we don't have time to research and integrate outside sources.

As I stroll through the computer lab, I notice that statements 2 and 3 are receiving the interest of the students. Statement 2, as you might have guessed, is receiving the bulk of their hurried fingers' attention in order to complete the essay in 50 minutes. I'm sure the issue of the TOEFL score has been on the minds and in the wallets of these hard working students for months.

That is all for now. I look forward to sharing our experiences as we prepare to start another term in CESL. As the Brown people of the world say, "Chau pescao'!"