Intermediate Vocabulary Syllabus
Teacher: Linda Napikoski
Contact email: lnapikos@kennesaw.edu
Textbook: Improving Vocabulary Skills, Fifth Edition, ISBN 978-1-59194-526-0
Time and Days: Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Building: ALC 4100
Course Description
In this class, we study and practice English vocabulary. We focus on:
• Exploring unfamiliar words
• Using context clues
• Finding synoyms and antonyms
• Critical thinking
• Relating the words to stories or personal experience
• Making educated guesses when presented with multiple choice options
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will achieve the following abilities.
• Identify different parts of speech
• Use strategies to discover the meaning of new words
• Write sentences using intermediate / academic vocabulary
• Demonstrate knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes
• Pronounce new words with the aid of phonetic pronunciation guides
• Use new vocabulary in speaking and writing
Classwork Policy:
You are responsible for being present in class and completing homework, quizzes, group work,
discussions, and special projects. Absence does not excuse missed homework/assignments. If
you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to make up the missed work. You are
encouraged to talk with your classmates outside of class and to ask them what pages you missed.
Class assignments are on Moodle. Check Moodle every week to monitor your coursework/grade.
Academic Integrity:
When a person writes or creates something, that is his/her intellectual property.
Therefore, copying the work of another person, whether a classmate or a professional, is stealing another
person’s property. Stealing a person’s academic or professional work can lead to negative consequences
such as being expelled from college or being fired from your job.
At the Intensive English Program, we value academic integrity. Our job is to help you produce work that
meets academic and professional standards. If you do not do your work honestly and independently,
consequences will follow.
The following are examples of what is prohibited: - - - - - - - -
Giving answers to classmates during a quiz or exam
Asking a classmate for the answers to a quiz or exam
Using electronics, notes, or books without permission during a quiz or exam
Receiving unauthorized help on projects done outside of class.
note: You can receive authorized help from the ESL Center or the KSU Writing Center.
Submitting the same assignment in multiple classes
Failure to cite a source you have paraphrased or directly quoted in your work
Failure to use quotation marks for ideas taken word-for-word from another source
Cutting and pasting information from the Internet and pretending it is your own
Possible consequences for academic dishonesty include the following:
o 1st offense: 0 on the assignment with opportunity to re-do; note in record
o 2nd offense: 0 on the assignment; note in record
o Further offenses: Students will be referred to the honor and ethics committee who will
determine the consequences, which may include dropping a letter grade in the course, having
to repeat a level, suspension or expulsion from the program.
Grading Policy:
You will receive a letter grade for this course. Your grade will be based on the following:
Homework
Quizzes
30%
40%
Class Project
Final Exam
15%
15%
A= 90-100
B=80-89
C=75-79
D= 70-74
F= 69 and below
Advancement to the next level requires passing grades in classes as well as appropriate scores on
the end of session tests (EPT, Writing, and Oral interview).
Other course policies:
1. Respect and show consideration for classmates, teachers, and everyone you encounter at KSU.
2. Arrive on time.
3. Speak only English in the classroom so everyone can understand.
4. Keep all your class notes and information in an organized manner.
5. Bring something to write with and a separate notebook for each class to help you stay organized,
take notes, and make notes about homework and tests.
Course Schedule:
Date Book
Unit
Topic Assessment/Test/
Project/Presentation
Weeks 1 & 2
Aug 10-13
Aug 17-20
1 Introductions
Using Context Clues
Synthesizing Information
Homework
Group work
Week 3
Aug 24-27
1 Summarizing
Homework
Quiz
Week 4:
Aug 31-Sep 3
2
Words in Context
Root Words
Homework
Analyzing Meaning
Week 5:
Sept. 8-10
3 Finding words in everyday life
UsingExpressions
Homework
Interpreting/Reflecting
Quiz
Week 6:
Sept. 14-17
3
Writing Homework
Project
Week 7:
Sept 21-24
4 Definitions and Lists
Understanding Word Choice
Homework
Quiz
Project
Week 8:
Sept 28-Oct 1
4 &
Review
Final Week Review
Final Test
Intermediate Vocabulary Syllabus.pdf