Course Syllabus
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ESL 216A/B – HIGH-INTERMEDIATE GRAMMAR – Fall 2017
Course Codes: ESL216A 42301/ ESL216B 42355
Laney College - Department of English as a Second Language
Deborah Brooks, Instructor
email: dbrooks@peralta.edu voicemail:510-473-5455
remind.com course code: @79e7f8
Office: T405 Office Hours 4:45-5:45 on those days that we have class at Laney.
Online Office Hours: 6:00-7:00pm on those Thursdays when we don’t have class at Laney
In-Class Days/Times: Some Thursdays 6-8:40pm in Laney College room E202A:
Sept 7, Sept 28, Oct 19, Nov 16, Dec 7, Dec 14
The First Class will be in Laney College Computer Lab room F170, August 24th 6-8:40pm
This first class is required! You will get my handouts on paper, meet your classmates, take an intake test, get online with the various apps and sites we’ll be using, review Intermediate grammar and start into the High Intermediate course materials.
Other classes in Laney classroom E202A:
Sept 7, Sept 28, Oct 19 (Midterm), Nov 16, Dec 7(Review&Party), Dec 14(Final)
In these classes, we will spend half of the session in conversation to use the grammar in communication and half of the session to test what you have learned so far. Each test will be cumulative (everything will be included, added to and reviewed throughout the course.)
Online Lessons
The weeks that we do not meet at Laney, there will be lessons, homework and weekly assignments that you will need to turn in online through a program called Canvas.
Online Office Hours
I will hold office hours 6:00-7:00pm on the Thursdays that we don’t meet at Laney College campus. The weekly online hour will be a lesson/discussion with time for questions. This will be done via conferzoom.org and recordings will be available within 24 hours if you can’t “attend” those hours. You can access the session via computer, tablet or mobile phone.
Flexible Work Hours
Each week, you will have assignments due on Sunday at midnight and Wednesday at midnight. When you actually do these assignments is completely up to you. You will need to schedule your study time so that you have enough time (at least 4 hours) to do the week’s lesson. Do not attempt to do the week’s assignments without learning that week’s lesson first!
Recommended weekly study schedule:
- Open the week’s lesson by Friday night and start to learn the material (watch videos, read explanations)
- By Sunday at midnight, you will need to post sentences and make a first post in that week’s discussion. Before you can do these, you need to understand that week’s lesson by watching videos, reading explanations and doing practice quizzes.
- By Wednesday midnight, you will need to take that week’s quiz and correct your sentences. You will need to finish that week’s discussion with one new post and 3 replies to classmates.
Prerequisite
For ESL 216A, the prerequisite is completion of ESL215 with a grade of C or higher, or placement in ESL High Intermediate Grammar 216A through assessment. For ESL 216B, the prerequisite is completion of 216A with a grade of C or higher.
Course Description
This is a 4 unit course designed for ESL students at the high-intermediate level of English grammar. ESL 216A consists of further study of complex grammar structures and sentence patterns. ESL 216B is a continuation of high-intermediate level of English grammar and further study of complex grammar structures and sentence patterns.
These courses will help students improve their ability to interpret what they read and express themselves accurately orally and in writing. They include study of academic/technical vocabulary, editing, active/ passive voice, several verb tenses, modals and modal-like expressions, conditionals, the subjunctive, phrases, clauses, and different kinds of transitions.
The courses navigate topics and issues in American culture and classroom culture, including teacher and student roles, class participation, academic honesty, time management, study and test-taking skills, and utilizing class and campus resources, procedures, and facilities.
Skills students are expected to have when they enter ESL 216A:
Entry Skills: Students should be able to…
- Produce basic sentence patterns using simple present, present continuous, simple past, future, and past progressive tenses, and direct and indirect objects.
- Produce compound sentences using and, but, or, and so.
- Understand grammar terms, such as the names of the parts of speech.
- Use adjectives and adverbs in comparative and superlative forms.
- Use the modals: can /be able to/could; may /might.
- Understand and use subject, object, and possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives correctly.
Student Goals or Learning Outcomes:
To pass ESL 216A and move to ESL 216B, students must demonstrate the following grammar skills by the end of the semester:
- Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of some high intermediate English grammatical structures.
- Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of some high intermediate English grammatical structures.
- Use some high intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas at the sentence level.
Students fulfilling these outcomes should move from 216A to 216B.
To pass ESL 216B and move to ESL 217A, students must demonstrate the following skills by the end of the semester:
- Demonstrate accurate aural comprehension of high intermediate English grammatical structures.
- Demonstrate accurate reading comprehension of high intermediate English grammatical structures.
- Use high intermediate English grammatical structures to accurately and effectively express ideas in
sustained written discourse.
Students fulfilling these outcomes should move from 216A or 216B to 217A
RULES AND POLICIES
Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy: Attendance is expected at every on-campus meeting of this course. Students absent more than 2 times may be dropped from the class. Our classroom activities will give you practice using the grammar points in conversation. If you are not here, you won’t learn as well. If you are not present for any reason, you will be marked absent.
Online participation is required more than twice a week. I will get a report of how often you check the website and when you complete assignments. This will count into your attendance and participation scores.
Arriving Late and Leaving Early: Tardy means being late to class 10 minutes or more. Tardies add up to absences. Being tardy four times = one absence. Leaving early four times = one absence. If you come in late, enter quietly and do not disturb the class. Consistently arriving late will affect your participation and thus your grade.
Absences and grades: If a student is absent, there will likely be a negative effect on his/her progress. This applies also to regular participation on the online portion of the course. Grades will be affected by attendance points lost and quizzes missed. If a student has a medical or family emergency, he/she should talk to the teacher to make special arrangements.
If you cannot come to a class session:
- E-mail the teacher BEFORE class with the reason for your absence and how you might make up that day’s test. No more than 2 tests will be rescheduled for any one student. No tests will be rescheduled if you don’t make arrangements before the test date.
- Ask a classmate before the class to get handouts for you and take notes.
- Assignments due on an in-class day are due on that day even if you are absent. Most assignments can be turned in online. If assignments are due during your absence, and they are not turned in, you will earn grades of “F” or “0” on any assignments due and tests taken.
Most homework will be submitted online. Instructions will be posted on the website. You are responsible for checking the website regularly and completing those assignments. Emailed homework will also be accepted unless otherwise noted on that assignment.
Dropping the Class
Dropping the class is your responsibility. If you need to drop the class, you need to report to Admissions and Records (A/R) in room A109 or drop the course online through Passport. If you drop after the add deadline, you will still need to pay for the course. If you drop after the W deadline, you will get an F in the course. Please notify the teacher also if you drop so that she can take steps to clear your records before reporting grades to A/R.
Non-Discrimination and Classroom Behavior Policies
Classroom Manners
In order to maintain a comfortable learning environment for everyone, no disrespectful or disruptive conduct is allowed. Please remember to silence your cell phone before class starts. Also, you must not talk when someone is speaking to the whole class or during tests. However, during group work, everyone is expected to talk to each other!
Online also, be supportive and respectful. Ask for clarification if you do not understand. Remember that you are all from different cultures with different rules of interaction. Be gentle and generous with each other. If you think someone is acting against you, it may just be a different way of expressing themselves with no bad intentions. Please talk to me if there are any problems so that we can address them early.
Students with Disabilities
I wish to make this course as accessible as possible to students with disabilities that may affect any aspect of course assignments or participation. I encourage you to communicate with me by the second week of the course about any accommodations that will improve your experience in(or access to) this course. You can also contact the disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS) at 464-3428 for assistance.
Non-Discrimination Statements
Laney College is committed to an educational environment that is free from interference and disruption, and that fosters equity and mutual respect. The Peralta Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and access to all institutional programs and activities.
Required Texts and Materials
There is no textbook for this course. You will instead use free online materials. Some of the resources will require a registration, but none require payment. If you do not have a home computer and are on financial aid, please tell them that your required textbook for this class is a 10” 16GB tablet (under $100 at Target or Walmart).
Required COMPUTER and INTERNET ACCESS: This is a hybrid course meaning 2/3 of the materials will be given to you online, not in person. Students are expected to use a computer and the Internet for most assignments. Computers and Internet are also available in Laney’s Tech Center, F170 8am-8pm Monday – Friday (http://www.laney.edu/wp/technology/technology-center/ ). Some assignments may be possible on your mobile phone, but some will require a full computer with a word-processing program (Word, Open Office, Google Docs, etc. Note: If you use Pages, please send it to me as Word so I can read it easily.)
Required DICTIONARY: You are required to have and use a dictionary. This can be English-only or bi-lingual. It can be electronic or in book form. A good free online ESL dictionary is Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English: http://www.ldoceonline.com/ or my current favorite that I use most is dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com Ask your friends for the best bilingual dictionary in your language. Note: A translator is not the same as a dictionary. It does not tell you whether the word is count/noncount, whether that verb needs an object, what the parts of the word mean, what the other forms of the word are, etc. Just a translator is not sufficient as a dictionary.
No dictionaries will be allowed during in-class tests.
Required Supplies for in-class days: a pen, paper and a place to put paper (notebook, binder or folder) and 8 1/2 x 11” lined paper. Also very useful but not required are a yellow highlighter pen and/or sticky notes. Bring all of the papers I’ve given you, especially the resource packet. This is a college course. Come prepared to be a participatory student.
Grades And Grading
Grading is based on the following:
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C;
60-69% = D; less than 60% = F
You need to earn 70% or better to pass. You must do the work throughout the semester. Last minute extra credit will not make up for a semester of sloppy work. The point is for you to fully learn the material before you can go on. I do not pass everyone. You must earn it.
Your course grade at the end of the semester will be based on:
- Online and classroom participation: 20%
This includes the discussions, group participation and going online at least 3 times each week
- Online assignments and quizzes: 20%
10 points each week for quizzes and 10 points each week for writing assignments
- In-class tests: 30%
- Midterm and Final exam: 30%
*Note that 40% of the grade is based on online participation. Since 60% is a low D, you cannot pass the class without completing all or most of the weekly online work.
IMPORTANT DATES
Aug 24 First class (REQUIRED!!)
Sept 4 Last day to add, last day to drop with a refund
Sept 8 Last day to change to pass/no pass grading
Nov 15 Last day to drop with a “W” instead of an “F”
Nov 23 Thanksgiving – No Classes
Dec 14 Final exam
SECTION TOPICS
Set One (week 1-3 Test Sept 7th) – Introduction and review
- Introductions, Syllabus, diagnostic testing
- Verb tense review (simple present, simple past, simple future, present progressive, past progressive)
- Review of word order and sentence structure
- Singular-plural/count/noncount
- Parts of speech
Set Two (weeks 4-6 – test Sept 28) – Clauses and word order
- Future time clauses
- Independent/dependent clauses, conjunctions, adverb clauses
- Question word order, inverted word order
Set Three (weeks 7-9 – test Oct 19th –part of Midterm) – Present Perfect/Past Perfect
- Present perfect
- Past perfect
- Reported Speech
- Review for Midterm (all content up to now)
Set Four (weeks 10-13 Test Nov 16) – Passive Voice
- Introduction to Passive Voice
Set Five (weeks 14-17) – Putting it all together
- Passive Voice in clauses and verb tenses
- Passive Voice in negatives and questions
- Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM December 14th
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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