ESL Communications (ESL III)
Course Information and Requirements
Instructor: Elsa Sarmiento Office Hours: After class daily
Email: Bungalow 4
M, T, W, & Th 6:50 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
Course Description and Objectives: This course is a practical approach to communications in English as a second language. It introduces students to development of discussion and performance skills through awareness of culture and values. Emphasis is given to discussion and understanding of current events as they relate to students’ interests. It is intended to help prepare students for lower division English college courses highlighting continue development of reading, writing, grammar, and comprehension skills.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
1. Introduce and describe him/her self orally and in writing using complete coherent sentences.
2. Perform a short dialogue, or song in English.
3. Apply basic writing strategies learned in class to construct a one-page paragraph.
4. Apply new vocabulary and basic oral communication skills learned in class to respectfully present and discuss a cultural awareness project.
5. Report reasonable progress on Side by Side interactive computer lab work according to schedule
I. Materials: Required: Side by Side 3 textbook and practice book, by Bliss & Molinsky, 2008.
English only dictionary
USB with 2GB of capacity for PC computer
2 spiral notebooks
II. Homework Assignments
A. Three hours per week guided computer reading/writing assignments. Student is responsible to keep-up with class website information as posted weekly. (This portion includes Side by Side in class work time)
B. Read all materials and practice independently.
C. Side by Side workbook assignments according to class schedule.
D. Weekly journal revise according to class schedule
E. Side by Side interactive computer lab work once a week during class schedule on campus computer lab assigned
III. Attendance
Your progress depends on your attendance. If you have to be absent, you are responsible for everything that occurred during your absence. Arriving at class late, leaving early, and walking outside during class are unacceptable behaviors that distract other students.
IV. Grading
A. This is a non college-credit adult’s class; therefore, in-class participation, attendance, and completion of homework assignments are mandatory.
B. Periodic testing and quizzes will serve to determine your progress and continuation in the course.
C. There will be a midterm exam, final exam, and final performance.
Last words: Welcome to Elsa’s class, remember that this is your time, your academic progress, and ultimately, your achievement. Therefore, you should treat every minute that you spend on your education with honesty, dedication, and respect.
Class Schedule
TOPICS / Monday to Wednesday / THURSDAY / NOTESGeneral Review / Week ONE 02-10
Introductions and welcome
Begin review- simple tenses
Journalist report game- groups
Narrative and vocabulary- Book p 10b,c / Aspirations Boards -groups
Weekly Journal begin
Unit 1
Educational System in the U.S. / Week TWO 02-17
Class schedule explain, , review continue
Dialogues begin
H- Finish verbs table, Wbook p 11 / Begin writing strategies
Write weekly Journal
Valentines’ day discussion
Unit 1 -2
Personal background / Week THREE 02-24
Practice dialogues, finish review,
Library tour, select stories
Culture venue project-explain
H=Wbook p 23 / Writing strategies continue
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated Search college website Begin culture venue search / CASAS DUE
Difficult Experiences / Week FOUR 03-03
Practice dialogues, Select stories continue,
Narrative and vocabulary
Learn song 1
H= Wbook p 23 / Writing strategies continue
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated Continue culture project
Search: Dictionaries online / OBJECTIVE ONE DUE
Unit 3 / Week FIVE 03-10
Perform dialogues, Dictionary group work
Stories report begin
Objective 1 due
Narrative and vocabulary
H=Wbook p 35 / Continue culture project
Practice song 1
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 4
Future Plans
Cultural past into the future / Week SIX 03-17
Dialogues continue
Stories report continue
What we learn from the past, Narrative discussion and vocabulary
Objective 2 begin
H= Wbook p 35 / C. presentations begin
Learn song 2
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 5
Describing past, present, and future / Week SEVEN 03-24
Dictionary group work
Stories report continue
Narrative discussion and vocabulary
H= Wbook p 51 / C. presentations continue
Practice song 2
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 6
Making a family portrait
Midterm Exam / Week EIGHT 03-31
Dictionary group work
Stories report continue
Cultural values
Midterm review and exam
H=Wbook p 61 / C. presentations continue
Practice song 2
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 7
Content review
And discussions / Week NINE 04-07
News assignment Introduced
Stories report continue
Objective 2 due
H= Wbook p 77 / C. presentations continue
Practice songs 1 & 2
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 7
Describing talents and skills
Important decisions / Week TEN 04-14
Dictionary group work
Stories report finish
Narrative discussion and vocabulary
CASAS update distribution
H= Wbook p 87 / C. presentations finish
Singing performances
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Unit 8, 9
Discussing feelings, future events, Important people in your life
Describing accomplishments / Week ELEVEN 04-21
Narrative discussion and vocabulary
Dictionary group work
CASAS Due
H= Wbook p 108 / C. presentations make-ups
Write weekly Journal
Side by side-automated
Stories report make-ups
Unit 10
Describing personality
Discussing Opinions / Week TWELVE 04-28
Stories report make-ups
Career plans, Attitude at work,
Narrative discussion and vocabulary
H= Wbook p 121 / Time to Catch up and assignments review
Last weekly Journal
Book Review / Week THIRTEEN 05-05
Objective 3
H= Wbook practice tests / Side by side-automated Journals make-ups
Practice exams
Week FOURTEEN 05-12
H= Wbook practice tests
Book Review / Week FIFTEEN 05-19 / Journals make-ups
Practice exams
Books Return / Week SIXTEEN 06-26
Final exams / presentations make-ups Last Day Celebration ! / Students go home happy!