Workshops in Speaking English

1
Workshops in Speaking English

• Welcome!
• Tonight American Academic Culture
• Led by Brea Barthel

2
Academic culture

• What are some characteristics of American
  education?
• How is American education organized?
• What are some important terms in school?
• What are the main roles in American schools?
• What is tenure?
• What are the different levels of college
  teachers?
• What do I call my professor?

3
Some characteristics of American education

• Universal literacy school is required up until
  age 16
• Accessibility disabled students in class with
  able-bodied
• Interactivity participate in class through small
  groups, projects
• Informality in college

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How is American education organized? (years)

• Preschool ages 0-4
• Pre-K age 4
• Kindergarten age 5
• Elementary (or grammar) schoolfirst grade to
  sixth, seventh, or eighth grade
• Middle school (junior high) 7th-9th grade
• High school 8th (or 9th) through 12th grade
• College 2-year or 4-year
• Graduate school many years?

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How is American education organized? (funding)

• Public schools government funded
• Private K-12 schools
• Parochial (Catholic church)
• Prep school (college preparatory)
• Colleges
• Sponsored by a specific religion
• Religious but non-denominational
• Secular

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What are some important terms?(elementary high
school)

• School district based on where you live
• K-12 Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Special education (special ed) for
  developmentally disabled students
• Vocational education (Voc Ed) job prep
• Gifted and talented very smart
• ESL services English as a Second Language
  (even if it is your 3rd, 4th, or 5th)
• Parent/teacher night a chance to talk with your
  childs teacher

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What are the main roles?

• College
• Board of Trustees
• President
• Provost
• Advisor
• Professor

• Public school (K-12)
• Elected school board
• Principal
• Assistant Principal
• Guidance counselor
• Teacher

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What is tenure?

• Job security! Tenured teachers cannot be fired
  without a strong cause
• In K-12, based on years of teaching
• In college, based on research, publications,
  service, teaching
• Pro encourages freedom in the classroom
  protects education from political influence
• Con teachers may no longer care about their
  students or their teaching

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What are the different levels of college teachers?

• Adjunct or Instructor temporary position,
  usually paid by the course
• Assistant Professor usually 3-year contract not
  tenured (usually up or out after 6 years)
• Associate Professor usually tenured
• Full professor tenured, with recognition of
  distinguished service
• Assistant/Associate Clinical Professor primary
  focus is on teaching not research usually 3-year
  contracts

10
What do I call my professor?

• It depends on the person, and on your role
• If undergraduate usually Professor last name
• If grad student Start that way!You may be asked
  to use the professors first name

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Its time for you to talk!

• Possible topics
• How does the structure of American education
  compare to other countries?
• Do you think interactive education is a good
  idea?
• How do American classrooms compare to other
  countries?
• What was your classroom like when you were young?