Hello Class!

Hello Class,

Welcome to our class blog! I’m looking forward to working with you this semester. I hope we can get to know each other and learn a lot from each other. Please feel free to post comments on this blog any time. You might also want to try some of the grammar activities on the Grammar page and some of the links to the right. You can also check on homework and the schedule for the week here. I’ve posted the syllabus below. I hope you enjoy this opportunity to share your writing, pictures, stories, and ideas. Take a minute to personalize your website and make it reflect who you are! Here’s to a great semester.

~ Christy

ESLA 1984 Syllabus

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale Campus

American Culture & Language Institute (ACLI)

Continuing Education – ESL

ESLA 1984 Reading and Writing

Fall 2009

Instructor:           Christina Bainbridge

Home:                                  (916) 662-4119

Email:                    cbainbridge@nvcc.edu

Time:                     M-F 2:35-4:30

Classroom:          MWF CC 104, TTh CQ 1 (307)

Office:                  CG 114

Course Description

This is an intermediate course in reading and writing designed for non-native speakers of English. Students will receive instruction through structured assignments and activities. The format of the class will include both individual and group work.

Course Materials

1. Fundamentals of English Grammar, 3^rd Ed. with Answer Key – Betty Azar
2. Active Skills for Reading: Book 3 – Neil J. Anderson
3. Introduction to Academic Writing 3^rd Ed. Level 3 – Alice Oshima and Ann Hogue
4. The Giver – Lois Lowry (You do not need to buy this book. We won’t use it until week 5 or 6, at which time you can borrow it from a library.)

Course Objectives

Writing:

Write a well-developed paragraph with a topic sentence, strong supporting details, and a conclusion.

Use a combination of simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Use transition words, adverb clauses, and prepositional phrases to increase fluency of paragraph.

Use editing skills.

Reading:

Give main idea and detail information from a high-intermediate level reading.

Use context clues to understand meaning of new vocabulary.

Recognize word forms and begin to use them correctly.

Use skimming and scanning skills.

Increase reading fluency/rate.

Begin to paraphrase and summarize factual and fictional reading passages.

Grammar:

Use different types of clauses (adverb, noun, adjective).

Use the perfect tenses with increasing accuracy.

Use gerunds and infinitives with increasing accuracy.

Begin to use passive tenses.

Begin to use reported speech.

Use real and unreal conditionals with increasing accuracy.

Course Requirements

In order to be promoted to the next level at the end of the term, a student must have a passing grade in this course.  To do this, a student must:  (a) score at least 75% on the midterm and final exams; (b) maintain a 75% average on tests and quizzes; (c) be prepared for every class, completing all homework and compositions on time; (d) submit weekly journal and reading log assignments on time, and actively participate in all discussions and classroom exercises.  In addition to the above class requirements, you must also achieve a satisfactory score on the semester-end comprehensive test.

Class Policies

Attendance/Certificate Policy—

Four times late = one absence

What is late?

1-29 minutes late = .25 absence

30-60 minutes late = .5 absence

60+ minutes = 1 absence

Certificate = Good work and attendance

What’s good attendance?

Maximum absences: 7 days

The class starts at 2:35. If you have more than 7 absences, you will not receive a certificate.

No cell phones! Turn them off before you come into class.  Please do not text message during class. You may do so during the break.

English only! This is for your benefit. You’re here to learn English, right?

Paying close attention in class is important.   This means please do not talk when others are speaking.  This includes lectures by the teacher.  In order to know what is expected of you, it is important that you are attentive in the classroom.

Respect your classmates. This class has a variety of English proficiency levels and students from various cultures and backgrounds. Please respect these differences by supporting each other and listening respectfully.

Tests

There are NO make-up tests.  You will be given warning of when tests will be given.  If you are absent for a test, you will receive a zero (regardless of the reason).

Homework

We will often use homework in class the following day. If you do not complete your homework and cannot participate in class, it is as if you are absent. You will be asked to use the computer for homework. If you do not have a computer at home, you may go to the NOVA computer lab in CT 105. We will also go as a class for some assignments. Every Friday I will email you the schedule for the next week. This schedule will include homework for the week. However, sometimes I may add a homework assignment during the week. If you miss a class, please contact me or a classmate to find out what you missed. I expect you to be prepared when you come back to class.

Weekly Assignments

Every week we will have a few regular assignments.

On Fridays your Reading Journal will be due.

At least twice a week, usually Monday and Friday, we will write in class for 30 minutes.

On Tuesdays we will have a Reading Fluency Quiz.

About once a week, on Wednesday or Friday, we will have a Grammar Quiz.

Cheating will not be tolerated in this class.  It will earn you a grade of zero on tests.  Keep your eyes on your own work unless you have been instructed to cooperate with a partner or in a group.

General NVCC Policies

NVCC is a place for learning and growing.  You should feel safe and comfortable anywhere our programs are offered.  In order to met this objective, you should:  a) let your instructor, a CE ESL Coordinator, the Director of Continuing Education, the Dean of Students, or the Provost, know if an unsafe, unwelcome, or uncomfortable situation arises that interferes with the learning process; b) inform your instructor immediately if there are circumstances which can be corrected to enhance your performance in class.

Students with disabilities:  Students with disabilities who would like to request accommodations are responsible for notifying a counselor for disability services. Please go to the Counseling Center CG 211, Annandale Campus to meet with Dr. Charlie Dy.

Information regarding school closings

Go to: www.nvcc.edu and click on the link at the bottom of the page “Closings and Emergencies.” Follow it to find answers to most closing related questions.

Visit http://www.nvcc.edu/Annandale/continuing/esl/orientation. This link will take you to the orientation course designed to help students find out more about studying at NOVA and living in the DC area.

Lab Hours:

ESL Center (CG 416)

703-323-3438

Veronica Campos vcampos@nvcc.edu

http://www.nvcc.edu/annandale/lrc/esl/index.htm

Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 7:00pm

Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm

One to one tutoring appointments, specialized ESL software

Reading/Writing (CG 409)

703-323-3341

http://www.nvcc.edu/annandale/lrc/writing/index.htm

Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 7:00pm

Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm

Tutoring and self-paced software

Grading

S              Satisfactory – Passing

R             Repeat – Student needs more time at the same level in order to master the       necessary skills.

U             Unsatisfactory – Student had excessive unexcused absences and/or failed to do the required work.

I               Incomplete – Student did not take the final exam(s).

W            Withdrawn-Student has missed more than 20% of the course.  Student has not provided an explanation for excessive absences.  Attempts have been made to contact the student, who has been notified of the intent to withdraw.  No re-enrollment in that course in the same semester is possible.

Calendar

August 31 First Day J

September 7 Labor Day Holiday – No classes

September 25 Beginning of the semester potluck

October 6 Mid-term writing sample

October 9 Individual Student Conferences

October 12 -13 Columbus Day Holiday—No classes

October 22 Field Trip Day

November 24 Talent/Entertainment Show

November 25-29 Thanksgiving Holiday – No classes

December 9 End of the semester writing sample

December 11 Program Oral Interviews

December 16 Last Day of Listening/Speaking Class

December 18 Individual Student Conferences

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