Syllabus
Low Intermediate Writing and Grammar

Low Intermediate Writing and Grammar

ESOL-0382

Spring 2011
01/18/2011 - 05/15/2011

Course Information

Section 002
Lecture
MW 19:30 - 21:15
RGC1 122
Esmael Ghadessy

Office Hours

No office hours have been entered for this term

Course Requirements

ESOL assessment test or ESOL 0381

Readings

TEXTS

Fundamentals of English Grammar  23rdEdition  by Betty Azar.

Fundamentals of English Grammar; Workbook

Write in the Middle: A Guide to Writing for the ESL Student.Shoemaker and Larson. Harcourt Brace, 1998. 

Course Subjects

  

ACADEMIC ESL PROGRAM GOALS 

The main goal of the Academic ESL program at Austin Community College is to prepare students whose native language is not English to handle the listening, speaking, reading and writing assignments required in higher education. To accomplish this purpose, the ESL faculty have adopted a communicative approach that integrates the four overall skills with crucial subsidiary skills. Although the focus of each class is on a particular set of skills, activities involving the other skill areas are incorporated at all levels.  Students are taught strategies that will prepare them to become independent learners and thinkers.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

ESL 1473: Low Intermediate Writing and Grammaris designed for  low intermediate level ESL students. This course emphasizes using standard English grammar in writing paragraphs and short essays.. There is a continued emphasis on writing compound sentences and an introduction to complex structures, using appropriate conjunctions, transitional expressions, and punctuation. Students continue to practice paragraph development and focus on writing longer academic compositions. They are exposed to the modes of description, narration, and process. Students practice building their editing skills.  Required laboratory work will supplement class work.  The course may be repeated for up to six hours of credit. 

 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS/PREREQUISITES

A grade of C or better in ESL 0663 or placement in the course by ESL Assessment or the COMPASS Test.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should register for ESL 1483: High Intermediate Writing and Grammar

EVALUATION

The following categories and percentages represent how your final grade will be determined.  A grade of “C” or above in classwork, on the final grammar exam and on the writing final  is required to go on to the next course.  REMEMBER:  The instructor does not give you a grade; you earn one! It is not unusual for students to repeat this course.

 

Homework/Preparation/Participation......20%

Journals / Compositions.................….30%

Grammar Quizzes and Lab......…….... 15%

Writing Midterm & Final.................….35%

 

GRADES:

            A=100%-90%              D=65%-69%

            B=80%-89%                F=below 65%

            C=70%-79%

 

REQUIREMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES

ATTENDANCE  POLICY:  It is very important that you attend all of your classes. ACC policy states the following:

                        A student at Austin Community College is expected to attend classes in order to                                progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives. . . .A student who

                        is not meeting course objectives may be withdrawn from the course at the

                        discretion of the instructor (ACC Catalog 1999-2000, p. 34).

If you must be absent from class, it is your responsibility to find out what work you missed in class, as well as any homework assignments and announcements about tests.  

 

In order to develop your language skills, it is essential that you attend every class.  In accordance with departmental policy, I reserve the right to drop you from class after three unexcused absences.

If you are taking this course to comply with the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) requirements*, Texas law requires the following:

            1.         If you are not “continually in attendance,” and “making progress” in this course, you should be withdrawn from the course by your instructor;

            2.         If you withdraw yourself or are withdrawn by your instructor, you will be automatically withdrawn from all of your other college courses if this is the only TASP-mandated course you are taking.

            *          If you are unsure whether or not this warning applies to you, see an ACC advisor immediately.       

 

CELL PHONES and PAGERS:

These devices are disruptive to class. As a courtesy to your classmates and your teacher, please turn them off during class.

 

EXAMS/QUIZZES

These will be given on the days indicated on the syllabus.  You need to be present for all exams.  Generally, no make up exams will be given.  Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

 

PARAGRAPHS/COMPOSITIONS

Your work must be your own.  Paragraphs and compositions written by anyone other than you  will not be corrected and will receive an F.

 

JOURNALS

The journals constitute part of your homework grade. You will receive more information about this component next week.

 

LAB COMPONENT

You will be provided more information about this component by your instructor.

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to do the following:

write accurate sentences, and paragraphs incorporating the grammatical structures studied       in the course;

identify fragments and run-on sentences;

write more complex sentences;

generate ideas and prepare to write using the following prewriting strategies: brainstorming, webbing, freewriting;

write effective paragraphs and short compositions using         the modes of description, narration and process;

do simple editing of their own and their classmates’  papers;