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Calabasas Courier Online

-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Calabasas Courier Online

-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Calabasas Courier Online

English Department creates speaking and listening policy to improve participation

English+Department+creates+speaking+and+listening+policy+to+improve+participation

For the 2013 spring semester, the English department introduced a new policy called Listening and Speaking In-class Criteria.  The department enacted the policy to fulfill the Listening and Speaking California State Standard inside the classroom.  The policy will assess students based on their abilities to have necessary materials, listen and participate in class and responsibly manage their time.

“The goal is to prepare students to learn cooperatively from each other, which requires attentive listening and [sharing] what they have learned through various methods,” said English teacher Kathy Kreycik.  “The new grading component is designed to help enforce habits that will assist learning.”

All of the English teachers collaborated to implement the new standards.  The standards for listening and speaking have always been a part of the California State Standards; however, CHS has decided to apply them differently this semester.  The criteria is now worth 10 percent of each student’s grade, furthering the opportunity for students to directly influence their grades with the behavior they exhibit while in the classroom.

To achieve an “A” in the Listening and Speaking component of the overall grade, students must always bring required class textbooks or any other mandatory materials.  They must also provide suitable responses to teachers and make use of class time appropriately.

“I feel like all of the shyer children [will] now be given that extra little push to help them strive for the proper discussion they need in English class,” said sophomore Greg Polyakov.

However, some students oppose the new speaking and listening policy.  They believe that participation should be on a strictly voluntary basis and should not make up a portion of their grades.

“I do not believe students should be forced to speak in class for points,” said senior Josh Korach.  “Students should speak when they feel their input can positively affect the conversations.”

The English department hopes to succeed with the new implementation of Listening and Speaking standards.  Throughout the semester students hope to adjust to the new policy.

“The new policy gives students an incentive to participate [in class] on a constant level.”

 – said Honors English I and Advanced Placement English IV teacher Diane McEvoy

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