Modern Languages 101 Chamoru

Course Syllabus

I. Course Description:

ML 101:01 Chamoru Language I – Is a beginning course for students with very limited or no Chamoru speaking proficiency. The emphasis of this course is on vocabulary development and comprehension in producing simple sentence structures in Chamoru as well as basic conversational ability.

  1. Course Content:

    2. ML 101:01 focuses at developing the non-native or limited Chamoru speaker’s ears to the sounds and basic patterns of the Chamoru Language. This course introduces the students to a wide range of vocabulary building exercises for language development. These vocabulary building process includes numerous words from the following themes: Chamoru alphabet; salutation and departing expressions; divisions of the day; classroom objects; numbers; colors; common daily idiomatic expressions; calendar; village names; time words; pronouns; kinship terms; eating implements; telling time; location words; demonstrative; articles of clothing; body parts common adjective and question words to make intransitive sentences; as well as practice formulating prepositional adjectival, and verbal phrases; simple answers as yes/no, either/or questions and their responses; negative sentences with intensifiers. Grammatical rules on singular, dual, sentence; and plural subjects, possessive pronouns; morphophonemic changes; reduplication; plural formation; vowel harmony; past and present continuative tenses.

  2. Course Objectives:
    1. learn the Chamoru language in which they will be able to carry on a simple conversation, understand commands, and communicate with their fellow classmates.
    2. Learn the history of the indigenous people and the outsider who have influenced our island.
    3. Learn what being a Chamoru is all about, the culture, which encompasses the values, beliefs,, traditions, songs, dances, customs, etc…
  1. Class Attendance and Participation

    2. Attendance in class is mandatory. Being presently daily will determine your high level of achievement. A day of absence will affect your productivity, as well as your ability to function with the rest of the students. I am here for you to learn, so please be present.

    Participation

    All students are required to participate in classroom discussions and all classroom activities. All students must be able to work well with others in group settings

  2. Excused absences:
    1. medical note
    2. pre-arranged absences
    3. death in the family (3 days only)
    4. approved by administrator

*Make up test will be given to only excused absences.

Tardy-per quarter

First unexcused tardy is a verbal warning.

Second unexcused tardy is lunch detention

Third unexcused will be parent conference

*Excessive unexcused tardy after one semester will request for removal from class

  1. Home work Assignments, Make-up and Extra Credit:

    2. There will be homework assignments. These assignments are based on the materials covered in class. Furthermore, they maybe either in written or oral form. All homework assignments are due on the designated day. However, if you are absent on a day when the assignment is due, you must submit the assignment(s) on your first day back in class. Missing class on a day an assignment is given does not constitute an excuse to submit your work in late. It is your responsibility to to find out what you have missed from me or your classmates so that your assignment can be submitted when it is due. Maintain a binder for all your written homework assignments – a portfolio. There will not be any make-up work on oral presentations. Extra credit work may be granted under extenuating circumstances. This warrants my approval.

  2. Class Activities
    1. Action and commands will be done daily. Everyone will be commanded to say or do in response to actions, which will let you produce language.
    2. Partnership dialogues – This involves a situational discussion between you and a partner. Dialogues will be given to you and your partner. Practice with your partner. You will also be asked to created your own dialogues that will be shared among others. For example, deciding on what to eat at a restaurant; a barbecue at the beach among friends, arguing about a certain television program, etc.
    3. Culture Sharing – Given a timed 5 to minute minute presentation on a particular aspect, feature, topic, custom, artifact, heirloom, habit, or tradition of the Chamorus. This must involve visual aides, costumes, backdrops, sets, music, etc.
  1. Class Projects

Will be discussed later.

IX. Final written and Oral Exam:

Your final exam will cover information given throughout the quarter. You will be informed of what will be covered in your examination.

Your oral exam will be a 3 – 5 minute long presentation on you introducing yourself, your family, your goals and ambitions as well as other pertinent information regarding your self. You will be graded on the following criteria:

  1. Clear articulation and pronunciation
  2. Time allotment
  3. Audience appeal/humor, etc.
  4. Originality
  5. Overall presentation
  1. Materials Requested
    1. "the Chamoru Child" by R. Tacheliol & B. Dungca. (optional)
    2. "Chamorro/English Dictionary" by D. Topping, B. Dungca
    3. Filler Paper (daily)
    4. Pen/Pencil (daily)
    5. 1" binder
  1. Grading System

    2.  

    Bi weekly quizzes/Final Exam

    40%

    Project/Presentation

    20%

    Class Attendance/Participation

    20%

    Daily assignments/Homework

    20%
     

    100%

     

     

    Percentile Score

    Letter grade

    90-100

    A

    80-89

    B

    70-79

    C

    60-69

    D

    50-59

    Need to improve

     

  2. Additional Supplement

Field Trips, Guest speakers, Chamoru Week Preparation.