IT'S NOT EASY TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

To learn any language well is one of the most difficult tasks humans can undertake. It literally takes a lifetime. After all, we all are still learning English, aren't we?

However, at the beginning the process is very simple . The same curriculum, at different speeds, applies from elementary school to college. The intellectual challenge at this level is not particularly formidable, but you will need to devote time and purpose to studying.

First of all, you must learn words, lots of words. The only way to do that is to practice. There are no magic pills.

 Communicative ability is the primary goal of this course. You will soon be in a position to say a few basic things about yourself, to ask questions and to understand simple statements.

Language is about communication. Without communication there is no language.  You will exchange information with your classmates, report,  discuss topics -- all, of course, within the range of your ability.

At the end of the semester, you will marvel at how much you will have learned, and will be even more aware of how much you still need to learn to become proficient.

This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a long long journey. I wish you all the best and I hope to see you one day very far along in your voyage.

Basic Rules

1. The course official record is posted on the course homepage.
    
2. All assignments (compiti) must be emailed by 11.59PM of the due date, EASTERN STANDARD TIME.
    
3. There will be two assignments per week on average.
    
4. QUIZZES will be announced a week in advance and will have a set time for starting and ending. I may decide NOT to give quizzes, depending on the performance of the class as a whole.
    
5. Missing a deadline for an assignment or quiz counts as "ABSENCE."
    
6. LATE work will not be accepted, even if it is late by one minute. (Please, don't try this stunt.)
    
7. There are no exceptions, no extensions, no make-ups and no "extra credit." Requests for exceptions due to emergencies and other similar circumstances must be supported by concrete proof.
    
8. Errors in email protocol, email subject, file names and assignment format will result in a penalty (usually 10% of the assignment's grade.)
    
9. Partial or incomplete assignments will not be graded.
    
10. No cheating. One strike and your are out. (Scroll down for policy details.)
     
11. As soon as I post the information that an assignment has been returned and graded, in case you did not receive yours, you have ONE WEEK time to report the problem. Late reports will result in a penalty.
     
12. Additional instructions will be provided as needed during the session and will be published on the course homepage.

  Academic Integrity 
  (i.e. no cheating)

  DO NOT USE TRANSLATION APPS OR DEVICES 
 ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT.

"The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies . If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation."

Here are the basic rules of email.

1. YOU MUST USE YOUR CUNY-ISSUED EMAIL ADDRESS (Brooklyn College or other campus)
    

2. When you compose a new message, or respond to a message start with a greeting. "Hello" is sufficient. Do not "hey" me. (Follow these rules with other instructors as well.)
    

3. Every single message must have your signature. Set up the automatic signature option below your reply.
    

4. If the conversation goes back and forth, skip the greetings. You can go straight to the point.
    

5. DO NOT RECYCLE THE SUBJECT OF OLD MESSAGES. If you want to talk about something new, compose a NEW message with the descriptive subject. (Suggested subject: "New problem / question.")
    

6. I require complete grammatical sentences, with upper case where needed and proper punctuation. Impossible to do it with your phone? Wait until you get to a computer.
    

7. If you run into problems with the website, either a bug or a mistake on my part, please let me know as soon as possible.

I will also be available via Skype by appointment.
When you ask for an appointment, clearly state the agenda (what you want to talk about) and the preferred time and date of the appointment. List at least two options for date/time.