This Freshman English course takes a communicative approach to increasing students’ English abilities both in academic and applied situations. Authentic input will be used extensively and student practice and assessment will be modeled on real language use. Class time is largely intended for language practice, including (and especially) speaking in English, and active participation will be essential to student success in this course. With the help of the instructor, students will be expected to build on their existing knowledge and link the course content to their own lives and interests. This course will have weekly listening and reading assignments as well as in-class speaking practice with occasional writing assignments.