This teacher has an extreme bias towards international students.  If you
are one, then it is in your best interest to meet her in person before
signing up for her class.  In at least four independent cases,
international students have found her to be very unhelpful, and in some
cases careless and rude.  For example, she has reported an international
student's mid-term grade in front of the entire class.  This was especially
embarrassing for the international student because she did not earn a high
grade. In another case, she told two international students that they could
take English, but she repeatedly emphasized to each student that they would
NOT pass English 56.  Despite her negative predictions, both students
passed class, and one of them received a grade of "A" (it is worth noting
that both of these students dropped out of her class to take English 56
with a different teacher).  Another student asked if was possible to sit
through one of her classes, just to see what it was like.  This student had
never taken English 56, so she wanted to see how a typical lecture went. 
The teacher said this was not possible because the student’s presence would
negatively affect the "atmosphere" of the class.  Although this
international student promised to sit in the back of the class and not make
any noise, the teacher explained that doing so would pressure the other
students in her class to not have an open discussion during lecture.  In
this circumstance, she told the international student to "pack up your bag
and leave my class" in front of the entire class.  Perhaps 'rude' is an
understatement for this teacher.

This is a really great teacher. The truth is that she really cares about
writing, literature, and her students. Her class involves effort, but if
you actually read the worksheets she gives to you, you can figure out
exactly what's she's looking for. Just don't wait until the last minute to
do her assignments. Also, especially with her research paper, if you look
at the criteria that she lists out for you, and use it in your paper,
you'll be more than fine. I really respect this woman, her class has taught
me a lot in general. 

Ms. Beck is an ausome instructor. I had not taken an english class in about
7 years, since high school, and although I had tested directly into 1A I
was very nervous. It turns out I didn't need to be. She was very cool about
answering questions about what was expected and did not mind going back to
basics for those of us who had quetions. Very cool. She grades
progressively harder throughout the semester, hich I think is very cool.
Sometimes her lectures start out a little slow and you are wondering where
the heck she is going with her ideas, but trust me by the time you get to
the end of the class you  not only understand you are thinking to yourself,
what a cool way to present that!She also has a cool personality and is very
approachable. She is fun and likes to heve fun with her class. I went into
englih hoping for a pass and ended up getting an A. Don't think she is an
easy teacher though, she makes you work, but she always makes sure you
understand what her expectations are, so you have every opportunity to do
well.

Ms. Beck may seem unconventional at first, but she is well worth taking if
you hate English.  She stresses group work, and builds up to writing the
final research paper - that way you're not stuck writing something you
hate, or that you don't understand how to write.  The projects were fun,
and she gets really involved in in-class discussion.  Take her, she rocks!

I am afraid this teacher was more of a sociologist than an english teacher.
Mostly what we did in this class was get in groups and "discuss the
topics." This was rather a joke because the philosophy that the teacher,
and some of the students even, came up with was pretty far out there. The
teacher (poor dear) has no idea what she's talking about in the philosophy
we discussed, not to mention it usually has only a very vague connection
with our writing skills anyway. I swear we move furniture more often than
anything in that class (the desks to "get in groups"). Still, she means
well I suppose, and the class is usually pretty reasonable. A lot of essay
assignments, and sometimes she has trouble communicating what the homework
is, but all in all a reasonable class. Consider her a grader not so much a
teacher, however--this isn't a very stimulating class, even though she
tries very hard to make it so. ((shrugs)) Oh well, a class is a class, and
in the end this one isn't evil, at least. 

eh.

She is great, a good teacher and very straightfoward. She is a funny lady,
and gets you interested in the class, plus has a cute style. She's a neat
lady, and doesn't grade too hard.