Classroom notes

Intermediate level students toured the Newark police station with Officer Scott Simpson.

Ever heard of a McDonald’s “prison meal”? Students in Barbara Morris’ Listening/ Speaking Level III class found out that fast food is on the menu for detainees in the local jail as they toured the facilities at the Newark Police Station, where they peppered their affable guide, Lieutenant Corporal Scott Simpson, with questions about how the city police force works. The field trip helped bring to life a textbook unit on crime and security, as students got what they hoped was a once-in-a-lifetime peek at the inside of a police car and jail cell.

Oral Business students with their American oral communication "coaches"

Marybeth Worrilow’s Oral Business class has partnered with the Oral Communication Fellows class taught by Jo Kmetz of the communication department to make presentations more effective. OC fellows are UD communication majors who work one-on-one with undergraduates, tutoring them in how best to put together presentations with an impact.

As part of Leslie Criston's Oral Business class, summer session students got hands-on experience in the business of social responsibility. Leslie gave each half of her class $50 and four days to use the money to raise funds for a charity of their choice. The students chose UNICEF, the United Nations' Children’s Fund. Group leaders guided brainstorming sessions on how to raise funds, manage time and utilize resources. For example, one group, having several artists, created cards to give to donors. Other students, with culinary gifts, made brownies. After returning the $100 outlay to their teacher, the class donated $136 to UNICEF. “It’s powerful for students to see that their business and English skills can be used to create a positive difference in their world,” said Criston.

Janet Louise’s Listening/Speaking Level IV students utilized videos of their classroom presentations to self-monitor their listening, speaking and presentation skills. With the use of an MPEG converter, students downloaded video recordings of their performances to critique and improve their communication skills.

Caroline Mallay’s Listening/Speaking Level IV students used the time-tested scenario method developed by the late UD professor Dr. Robert DiPietro, but with a twist. Two problematic situations were combined, which required creative and spontaneous speaking and interaction in a challenging, impromptu dramatization.

Members of Russ Mason’s 1960s class attended public lectures given by leaders of Latin American organizations, as well as a lecture by Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California in 1966. Through these events, they gained insight into the experiences of African and Hispanic Americans as well as the countercultural and civil rights movements of the '60s.

One of the assignments for Nonie Bell’s English for Academic Purposes Level VI class is to read three classic American short stories and write a brief report on each. This year she transformed the assignment into a “No Free Lunch Contest.” Students explained, analyzed and compared the stories for a small group of classmates. Each group then selected the two best presentations in their group. The best of each group were again judged in a second and third round, with the highest scoring student receiving a coupon for a half price lunch at Caffe Gelato in Newark.

EAP students staged O. Henry's "The Cop and the Anthem" at graduation.

Ken Cranker’s English for Academic Purposes Level VI class also studies several short stories, and often uses “The Cop and the Anthem” by O. Henry for analysis and discussion. However, this year the Reading/Writing students created a short play based on O. Henry’s plot and performed it at the June graduation ceremony. Broadway may be next!