Thursday Period 1: ACE IV (1st-year advanced)  9:00 am
Thursday Period 6: ACE II (2nd-year mixed)  6:00 pm

Hello, my name is Kevin Mark. I'm teaching two ACE classes in 2012: one at 9 o'clock in the morning, so please don't take that one unless you're really ready to come at 9 o'clock. If you live a long way away, maybe it's not the right class for you.  The other is at six o'clock in the evening.

Now, the morning class is in a computer room, but that doesn't mean that you're just using a computer on your own. It's very much an interactive class where you're talking to me and you're talking to other people in the class.  But there's also, of course, some work on the computer at your own pace. Please don't think that you need to be good at computers in order to enjoy this course.  I'm happy to help you, supporting you with the computer and supporting you with your English.

Now, in all my classes in ACE, I have the same philosophy: I should enjoy it. Because I think that's the key.  If I'm enjoying it, that means that things are working well for you too. How can I enjoy it if you're having a hard time, if you're not really learning, if you're not enjoying it?  So the first thing for me is, "I should be enjoying it..."  I should be watching you, observing you, helping you...  I really don't think in terms of, "Oh, he's really good at English. She's not so good at English.  I wish she wasn't in this class." I don't think like that. If you're in my class it's my job and it's my pleasure to help you.

So, the evening class, we may use computers a little bit, but it's much more interactive, much more personal in terms of the  speaking and writing... You'll be talking about your life, your goals, what's happening to you, what you hope for, and so on.  And we'll also be doing a little bit of work coordinating, using English, ACE activities such as parties and social activities. Now this class is for second-year students only. So you'll know what I mean when I talk about ACE social activities.  So please be ready to help out with those, if you join that class.

Both classes
Now, I know it's going to be a challenge, it's going to be interesting and it's going to be different. Why? Because we're people, and we're growing. You're going to be a special class, unlike any other class that I've ever taught before.  Why? Because you are you. And I know that with that attitude of "I'm going to enjoy this," then your dream, and I'm pretty sure that you have this dream, "My dream of being able to use English professionally in the future."  Your dream starts now. Your dream starts with enjoying now. So I look forward to seeing you.