Laura Buice CO #1

January 17th
11am -11:50am
Reading Class 2A
Ramin Yazdanpanah

The class began with a review of homework and a quiz. He answered questions and went through the correct and incorrect answers to make sure the students understood. He also had an intensive reading activity with follow up comprehensive questions and vocabulary.

The students were engaged and he knew all of their names. He called on every student and allowed students to speak up without letting them dominate the discussions.

He used the google docs, powerpoints, and PDFs, so all the students were able to see the material and it was easy to share.

Students were free to ask and answer questions. They were able to go over work they had done outside of class as well as ask questions about new work. They discussed quizzes, so they were able to see why they got questions wrong. Students were also paired off into groups of two in order to discuss the homework due today.

While the students were reading an in-class activity, Professor Ramin took some time to explain to me how he taught and why the students did each activity. He shared some resources with me and answered any of my questions. He explained how reading is a receptive process, so class usually focuses on fill in the blank exercises and matching. There are intensive readings and extensive readings. Intensive are done by the students, in class, and are short and difficult. Extensive, he reads to the students, they are longer, easier to read, and more fun. He reads out loud to push the students to read more quickly and more fluidly. Several of the comprehensive questions were labeled with the type of question, and this enabled students to understand the different types of questions, as well as understand the purpose of the question. This helps them prepare for the TOEFL and understand how to answer the question.

It was a really good class. I learned a lot, and felt that Professor Ramin fully understood the material and was able to help the students at their level. It was a low key class, very relaxed and I'm glad I was able to sit in on it.