CLP Guidelines and Policies

The Critical Languages Program is designed for highly motivated, disciplined students who want to develop communicative competence in a language. The program requires a great deal of time, energy, and self-direction, as well as self-discipline. Students unwilling to make a commitment to rigorous and disciplined daily study are not encouraged to register for the program. It is very important that students understand their responsibilities in the program. Please read the following carefully.

1. You are your own teacher. Successful language mastery depends on you. Your commitment, participation, and especially your self-discipline and work habits will determine your success.

   
   

2. The textbooks, multimedia materials, and native speaker are your resources. Each plays an important and precise role, and it is your responsibility to utilize each properly.

   
   

3. The tutor is not a teacher. The tutorials should not in any way be equated with a typical class. Do not assume, as you might in a normal course, that you are coming to class to be taught. The tutorials are for the reinforcement and correction of material that you have already practiced in order to participate fully.

   
   

4. Language learning in the Critical Languages Program is based on PRACTICE. The text, the tutorial and the tutor are important components, but your success is determined by the hours of practice required to perfect the material.

   
   

5. You are expected to attend all tutorials and be properly prepared. A thorough command of the material is required in order to participate in class activities. You should expect to spend at least 10-12 hours per week in language study and practice.

   
   

6. Absenteeism or neglect of assigned work will result in dismissal from the program. If dismissal occurs after the add/drop deadline, you will receive a grade of failure for the course.

   
   

7. Your native speaker (tutor) will send me bi-monthly reports of your attendance and progress. If you must miss a class, you are to contact your tutor in advance.

   
   

8. The use of English and linguistic discussions are inappropriate in the tutorial session and you should be prepared to accept this. Only the target language is spoken and, unless essential for a particular exercise, the sessions are conducted with textbooks closed.

   
   

9. You will have a mid-term exam and a final exam with an external examiner who is accredited in the target language.

   
   

10. Your final grade for the course will be based on your performance on the two exams (the mid-term counting 1/3 and the final 2/3), but the examiner will take into account your work throughout the term (based on your tutor's reports) when assigning a grade.

    
    

11. The practice materials are an integral part of the instructional materials and should not be regarded as optional or supplementary. While the textbook provides a language structural framework, it does provide the audio required to improve listening comprehension and fluency.

    
    

12. Individual conferences will be scheduled a few weeks into the semester. You, of course, need not wait until conference time to see me. Whenever you have any questions or problems concerning the course, you should see me right away.

You are responsible for the information contained in the sections below. Please read through them carefully.

CLP Guidelines and Policies » Student » Text » Tape
Tutor » Drill Session » Evaluation