This compulsory course consists of four essential components: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The focus of this course is literature, not ESL content based. This class is not a newspaper reading club, nor is it a Mickey Mouse class where you goof around to kill three hours. If you are looking to enhance your knowledge of grammar or improve your skills of scoring high in standardized tests (e.g., GEPT), you are in the wrong class. I assume that as NTU students, you have a good head on your shoulders. The students will be introduced to a wide range of literature including canonical and non-canonical short stories written in English, famous British and American poems, classic poetic songs in English. You will have to produce summary-and-response journals based on the reading of these short stories. The students will be placed in several groups that are obliged to introduce the assigned story to other peer students. Each week the assigned groups will have to get together with the TA, who will go through general writing mechanisms with the students. The meetings will be scheduled after class. These meetings are mandatory for all students.

Again, remember that this is NOT a high school English class where you used to cram grammar, memorize clichéd proverbs, or rely solely on lectures. If you are not accustomed to critical thinking and writing, do not take this course. If you do not have enough self-discipline, you are also discouraged from taking the course. The three-hour course is in general divided into three sections: student presentation, in-class discussion, and poetry/song appreciation. Apart from knowing how to read short stories with certain techniques, we will think about why we learn English; why literature is so closely tied to language; and why we always return to humanistic concerns from literary edification. The overall aim of this course, ideally speaking, is to explore your creativity, rekindle your passion, sharpen your critical thinking, and build up your confidence and self-assurance.