Santa Monica College

Non-Credit Course Outline

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Santa Monica College

Non-Credit Course Outline

ESL 975

Course Title: ESL 975: Advanced Idioms, Prepositions, and Vocabulary Total Hours Instruction: 60

Date Submitted: 10/08/2002

Updated: 2/28/2007

I.  Catalog Description:

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed for the advanced ESL student. The course focuses on enriching and refining students’ knowledge and use of idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary. Students learn advanced-level English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and grammatical structures, and engage in complex and culturally-appropriate dialogs and conversations.

II.  Required Text and References:

One or more of the following or similar texts:

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms for Students of English. MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Flower, John, Michael Berman, Ron Martinez, and Mark Powell. American Vocabulary Program 3: Upper Intermediate. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 2002.

Fragiadakis, Helen, Kalkstein. All Clear! Advanced: Idioms and Pronunciation in Context. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 1997.

References:

Brinton, Donna and Peter Master eds. New Ways in Content-Based Instruction. VA: TESOL Publications, 1997.

Brown, J. D. ed. New Ways of Classroom Assessment. VA: TESOL Publications, 1998.

Celce-Murcia, Marianne ed. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, 3rd ed. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 2001.

Fragiadakis, Helen, Kalkstein. All Clear! Listening and Speaking, Book 3, 2nd ed. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 2007.

Keen, Dennis. Developing Vocabulary Skills, 2nd ed. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 1994.

Longman Dictionary of American English. NY: Pearson Ed, 2004.

Newbury House Dictionary of American English. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 1999.

Reeves, George. The New Idioms in Action. NY: Newbury House.

Santa Monica College ESL Web links: http://smc-esl-links.wikispaces.com.

III.  Objectives:

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

A.  Converse ably using two- or three-word phrasal verbs.

B.  Orally produce complex sentences in English using advanced idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary.

C.  Respond to complex questions in English using advanced idioms, phrasal verbs, and vocabulary.

D.  Use advanced idioms and vocabulary in class discussions and activities.

E.  Analyze complex scenarios in English using advanced idioms and vocabulary.

F.  Appropriately produce some slang vocabulary commonly used in television, movies, and popular culture.

G.  Consistently determine when is not appropriate to use slang vocabulary (e.g., job interviews).

H.  Consistently demonstrate culturally-appropriate conversational etiquette and expressions of courtesy.

I.  Determine when to use an English-only dictionary, either in print or online.

J.  Use resources, both in print and online, that may be helpful in defining slang or other words not typically included in a dictionary.

IV.  Student Learning Outcomes:

Date Submitted: 2/28/2007

1.  Given a particular topic or theme, students will converse fluently with their classmates using advanced vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and two- or three-word phrasal verbs.

2.  Given several examples of real-life scenarios, students will consistently employ appropriate expressions of courtesy and demonstrate culturally-appropriate conversational etiquette.

V.  Instructional Methodology:

(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry / open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)

20%
40%
10%
15%
10%
5% / Lecture and/or demonstration
Speaking and listening exercises (including class discussions, small-group discussions, pair activities, oral recitations, and/or threaded discussions)
Reading and writing exercises (including error analysis and/or paraphrasing)
Student presentations and/or oral recitations
Audio-visual materials and/or guest speakers
Computer-assisted learning

VI.  Course Content:

(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry / open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)

Percentage
of Term / Topics /
25% / Listening skills, including advanced English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; complex scenarios in English; slang vocabulary commonly used in television, movies, and popular culture; expressions of courtesy; determining when to use print or online resources helpful in defining slang and other words not typically found in a dictionary. /
25% / Speaking skills, including advanced English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; producing complex sentences; responding to complex questions; analyzing complex scenarios in English; slang vocabulary commonly used in television, movies, and popular culture; contexts in which it is not appropriate to use slang; culturally-appropriate conversational etiquette and expressions of courtesy; making oral presentations. /
25% / Reading skills, including advanced English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; reading complex sentences, short questions, and basic scenarios in English; determining when to use an English-only dictionary, either in print or online; determining when to use print or online resources helpful in defining slang and other words not typically found in a dictionary. /
25% / Writing skills, including advanced English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; writing complex sentences and responses to short questions; determining when to use an English-only dictionary. /

VI.  Methods of Evaluation:

(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry / open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)

30%
20%
10%
20%
20% / Oral presentations
Quizzes and exams
Homework assignments
Writing assignments
Participation in classroom discussions and activities (including reading exercises, oral recitations, small group work, pair work, and threaded discussions)


Curriculum Approved ______

Date David Zehr, Chair, Curriculum Committee

Date Jeff Shimizu, Vice President, Academic Affairs