Asian Studies Language Courses

• Course Code: 01:098:151
• Course Title: Elementary Manchu
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 4

01:098:151 Elementary Manchu

Description: Introduction to the sound, grammar, and writing system of Manchu; practice and excercises in speaking, reading, and writing.

Number of Credits: 4 

Prerequisites: None

Master Course List

• Course Code: 01:098:101
• Course Title: Elementary Filipino
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall
• Credits: 4

01:098:101 Elementary Filipino

This course involves an introduction to the Filipino language as a tool for communication in simple social situations. Emphases are on developing the four macro-skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. However, the course will focus on speaking and listening skills as foundation in the beginner’s program. The course will pay close attention to the sounds of the Filipino language, including intonation and stress, as well as vocabulary and simple grammatical structures. The course will present different social situations that involve turn taking skills, courtesies, and initiating and ending a communication exchange.
At the end of the course, learners should be able to demonstrate their competency in the following language skills and specific communication situations:

Speaking: 1. Manage and negotiate a limited number of communicative situations such as informal conversations involving greetings, introductions, and taking leave, and more complex exchanges involving requests, responding to questions, and reporting information. 2. Express knowledge, ideas and emotions using appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures. 3. Produce the sounds in the Filipino language clearly and accurately.

Listening: 1. Demonstrate understanding of sentence-length utterances which involve specific content referring to personal and social backgrounds, and common tasks such as getting meals, receiving simple instructions and directions. 2. Recognize and differentiate the effect and impact of stress and intonation on meaning.

Reading: 1. Interpret written language in areas where vocabulary has been learned such as reading formulaic texts (e.g. timetable, maps, menus, and signs) 2. Infer meaning of vocabulary words based on context and background knowledge. 3. Demonstrate understanding of the main idea of simple authentic reading texts in Filipino.

Writing: 1. Fill out forms with biographical information. 2. Take down dictation and simple notes based on spoken words. 3. Write short and simple compositions, letters, and journals describing everyday events and topics pertaining to one’s immediate environment and personal experiences.

Course Materials: Conversational Tagalog: A Functional-Situational Approach by Teresita V. Ramos (University of Hawaii Press, 1985) 2. Any basic Tagalog-English dictionary 3. Issued worksheets and handouts as needed.

Attendance. You are expected to come to class prepared and on time at 11:00, be it in person or online. Any student in class after 5 minutes will be considered tardy, and absent after 10 minutes. Three tardies will result in an automatic absence. You are responsible for making up for missed assignments and requirements during your absences. Tardiness and absences may be considered with appropriate communication before class meeting time on a case-per-case basis. Let’s be respectful of each others’ time.

Participation. Learning a language means actively using it and not just sitting quietly, observing and “absorbing” it. You must participate in all of the classes’ activities: reading, discussions, games, exercises, and so on. Don’t let your fear of making mistakes prevent you from speaking up—we are here to learn together. Be attentive and keep an open ear—take notes when needed. For online meetings, you must keep your camera on at all times, and unmute your microphone when speaking.

Homework and journal entries. Assigned homework must be completed on or before the due date. Late submissions without documented and communicated reasons risk deductions or may not be considered altogether. Materials must be turned in using the same medium they were assigned. Online submissions must be submitted via GoogleDocs.

Quizzes and final exams. You are responsible for making up for any missed quizzes and/or exams. This includes communicating beforehand why you cannot come to class to complete the requirement, and scheduling a time to fulfill the requirements. Untimely and improper communication may result in forfeiting the make-up quiz or exam. Quizzes and exams are not only a means to gauge how you are doing during the semester; they’re also a tool for you to look at your spots for improvement as you progress. Maximize these opportunities.

Electronic devices. Whether in person or online, Be courteous and considerate to everyone in class by setting all cellular phones and other noise-making devices on silent or vibrate mode during class time. We are only meeting for 50 minutes a day. Calls may only be taken on an emergency basis and prior communication must be made beforehand. During in-person classes, do not use your devices unless prompted to—you may be asked to use them for certain activities, but not during the entire meeting.

Online meetings. During online meetings, close all other programs on your device. No web browsing, playing music, or scrolling through social media, please. As much as possible, sure you are in a well-lit area with no distractions or light behind you. Do not skew or tilt the webcam view. If possible, log into class from a stable, flat surface. Please no Zooming into class from bed. You may eat during class meetings, but as much as possible, try not to be distracting towards the rest of the class.

Language use. Following ALC Department’s policy for all language classes, the target language (Filipino) will be the main medium of instruction. That means, English will be used no more than 10 minutes in every 50-minute class period. Ask your questions in Filipino as much as possible. Strive to use the language more and more as the semester progresses. Again, don’t be afraid to use the language; reluctance is our primary hurdle, not the mistakes we make. We are here to learn together.

Beyond grammar. Filipino is a living, dynamic language spoken as a native, secondary, or tertiary language by over 100 million diverse people in the Philippines and around the world. It is a product of a complex, innovative, and sometimes violent history. We are not just learning systems of vocabulary and syntax but interacting with extant and changing culture/s. There will be opportunities throughout the semester to discuss and learn about Filipino culture/s in person and virtually. Bring all of who you are in this class, whether you are a heritage speaker or not. Be aware of nuances, discrepancies, and contradictions. Ask a lot of questions. Have fun and keep an open mind. Above all—communicate honestly and clearly.

Code of conduct. All students must adhere to the student code of conduct. It is expected that students will conduct themselves in class in a manner that is non-discriminatory and acceptable to the university community.

Accommodations. Rutgers supports the right of all enrolled students to a full and equal educational opportunity. Students are expected to inform faculty of their need for instructional accommodations as soon as possible after a disability has been incurred or recognized. Faculty will work directly with the student to identify and provide reasonable instructional accommodations. Disability information, including instructional accommodations as part of a student's educational record, is confidential and protected under FERPA.

• Course Code: 01:098:111
• Course Title: Elementary Vietnamese
• Semester(s) Offered: Fall
• Credits: 4

01:098:111 Elementary Vietnamese

Students will sign up for 1 of the weekly virtual meetings with the instructors. These meetings will be to use the language in communicative tasks and activities. Questions about technology, difficulties with a homework exercise or other logistical issue should not be discussed in this class meeting time. Office hours can be used for those issues. It may be possible that the instructor will request reshuffling your class meeting times to pair you with classmates at your same level.

Most technology issues should be addressed to Danielle through email or during her virtual office hours, and most language/exercise issues should be addressed to Ms. Diem through email or during their virtual office hours.

We will all read and answer email within several hours if we get the email between 7am and 4pm M-Th. Emails arriving after 4pm or Friday-Sunday might be answered within several hours, but they also might wait until the following morning.

Course Materials: Let's Speak Vietnamese. Author: Nguyen Bich Thuan and Le Pham Thuy Kim ISBN: 978-0-9796015-0-7, Publisher: Le-Nguyen Press.

This is a fully online course; however, it is NOT self-paced. There will be weekly assignments and weekly virtual meetings. You will need a lot of self-discipline to remain motivated and finish exercises and tasks by the required deadlines. You will complete watching the assigned presentations and doing the assigned tasks BEFORE the virtual meeting.

In any online course, there will be some technology problems. Despite the preparation, and instructions, there will be times when suddenly someone’s microphone stops working or when the connections aren’t working correctly—please follow our backup plans and prep instructions to minimize these disruptions. Also be responsible to have your computer updated with the recent versions of quicktime, flash, etc. Please have patience as we figure out ways to prevent future similar problems.

The instructor will hold virtual office hours every week to address any questions about the class, assignments, and specific language points. Students will sign up for one 45-minute-virtual class meeting every week. These meetings are to practice producing the language with the teacher and other students. The focus of this time will be interacting in the target language. Students who miss more than one virtual class meeting are required to schedule a virtual video meeting with the instructor as soon as possible.

Language learning is an active skill that needs to be practiced regularly. Therefore, attendance and participation in a language class are extremely important. While one can occasionally make up missed assignments, there is no way to make up the missed virtual classroom interaction and active listening and speaking. Therefore, our attendance policy is very strict.

1 absence = acceptable, but you must take responsibility to find out and catch up on the missed work.
2 absences = straight percentage—participation grade also affected.
3-4 absences = straight percentage, but you may also lose overall grade points.
5+ absences (whether excused or not) = you have missed so much of the course that it is unlikely you have learned enough of the language well enough to pass to the next level. Overall grade points will be lowered

Participation: Your involvement in the class activities and willingness to do pair work, listen, practice, etc… can modify your attendance grade up or down. Excused absences do not figure into the total number of absences provided that the student has turned in an acceptable written excuse (such as a doctor’s note) to the coordinator and tutor/instructor before or upon returning to the class for each day of class missed. Generally, a busy schedule, a work conflict, a missed alarm clock, etc… are NOT excused.

Class begins promptly on time. This means you should be signed in online, tech ready, and prepared to begin at the appointed time. Please set up appropriate technology before the start time of the class. The following scale will be used: 1-5minutes late = Your participation grade will be lowered. 6+ minutes late = Absent

The instructor will speak as little English as possible, and expects you to do the same. Always try to communicate in the target language first. Your efforts to speak in the language will be reflected in your participation grade. When you listen, do not worry if you do not understand 100% of what the instructor says. Try to catch the main idea. If you can’t, use a phrase below to help you understand. Use these phrases on the attached handout to help you stay in the target language.

25% Attendance & Participation in virtual meetings: You need to attend all required virtual classes and participate actively in class. If you need to miss a class, email the teacher and the coordinator as soon as possible. You must use a headset speakers/microphone during the virtual meetings because of the very bad feedback we get without them. If bad feedback happens anyway, please disconnect and reconnect as quickly as possible in order not to lose class time. Please note that perfect attendance does not mean perfect participation. Participation will include willingness to do in-class activities and your effort in class.

25% Online Preparation exercises and presentations (focusing mostly on learning new items and recognition of language): Your tutor/instructor will assign regular presentations to watch and preparation exercises to complete before the virtual meetings. These assignments will be open for a limited time only. The virtual class times will be spent using the new language in various communicative activities and tasks. D2L unfortunately will call all of the activities quizzes—but they are practice. They will be graded, but you can take them an unlimited number of times during the open period with the highest grade being recorded. That means that you can keep taking the practice “quiz” until you get a score you are happy with. We have set it to take the highest score, whichever attempt that is, so there is no harm in repeating the activity until you get 100% (or the score you wish to get.) These activities will close forever on the date/time specified.

25% Homework (focusing mostly on production of language): Your teacher will assign various types of homework throughout the semester (expect up to 2 hours of homework for every hour in class). Different homework assignments will address different skills individually or in various combinations: some reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation is to be expected. No late homework will be accepted; however, the lowest two homework grades of the semester will be dropped. Please note—this homework is separate from the online preparation activities. This homework will focus more on production and may or may not be online.

25% Language Learning Portfolios/Projects/Presentations: Students will have at least 3 projects during the 15 week semester. A project will involve the student demonstrating their proficiency in more than one skill. For example, most projects will have both a speaking and writing component, and may also include a listening or reading component. The tutor/instructor will provide guidance in topic choice, grading rubrics, and feedback. The D2L group will have more details and ideas.

BTAA DISTANCE LEARNING COURSEW/MSU VIA ZOOM

• Course Code: 01:098:102
• Course Title: Elementary Filipino
• Semester(s) Offered: Spring
• Credits: 4

01:098:102 Elementary Filipino

Description: Introduction to the sound, grammar, and writing system of Tagalog; practice and excercises in speaking, reading, and writing.

Number of Credits: 4 

Prerequisites: 01:098:101

Master Course List