Course Requirements

 

 Austin Community College

ESOL 0331 High Beginning Reading and Vocabulary 2

For Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Course Description and Syllabus

 

Semester:  Spring, 2013   (16 wks:  1/14/13-5/12/13)	Section:   0331-001 Synonym:  22258	Location:  RVS Building A; Room 1130 Day/Time:  M/W 9:00-10:45 AM
Instructor:  Sarah J. Bannon	Office Hours:  M/W 10:45-11:15 AM  & By appointment   Location:  RVS Annex 400	Email:   sbannon@austincc.edu   Phone-text only:  512.779.3381 (for emergency only)
ACC website: www.austincc.edu

 

Course Description/Rationale:

 

This course emphasizes intensive vocabulary study and will progress from literal understanding of what is read to high levels of comprehension that are inference and critical reading.  Students will learn how to identify main ideas and supporting details in a paragraph and how to determine unfamiliar word meanings from context.  Following directions and summarizing information will be taught.  Dictionary and thesaurus skills will be taught as well.

 

Texts:

 

Reading Power 2by Linda Jefferies and Beatrice S. Mikulecky (4^th Edition)

Groundwork For A Better Vocabularyby Beth Johnson and Janet M. Goldstein (4^th Edition)

 

Supplies:

 

• Dictionary/Thesaurus
• Flashdrive (4GB)
• Highlighters
• Red pens
• Pencils
• Composition book

 

 

 

 

Instructional Methodology:

 

Because of the interactive nature of this course, a variety of instructional methodologies will be used including, but not limited to:  lecture, group discussions/activities, and videos.  All instruction will be given in American Sign Language (ASL) and course material will be presented visually via textbooks, handouts, use of SmartBoard, and other technology.

 

Common Course Objectives/Outcomes:

 

The main goal of Academic ESL program for Deaf students at ACC is to prepare students to handle the “listening and speaking” skills as well as reading and writing assignments as required in higher education.  To accomplish this purpose, the ESL faculty has adopted a communicative approach that integrates these four macroskills 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 microskills such as ASL to English translation and strategies that will prepare them to become independent learners.

 

Course Objectives:

 

• Identify the main ideas of simple nonfiction/fiction texts
• Identify the meaning of unfamiliar words using the surrounding context
• Scan for specific information
• Locate noun and pronoun preference
• Learn strategies for building an active vocabulary
• Read for pleasure
• Demonstrate knowledge of dictionary and thesaurus skills
• Demonstrate comprehension of a short story/passage in English by either retelling it in ASL and/or summarizing in print using English
• Demonstrate comprehension of idioms

 

Evaluation:

 

This is the second level reading class.  To be better readers, it is necessary to:

 

• Read daily
• Participate in class
• Complete all outside reading and homework
• Study for tests/quizzes

 

 

 

The following categories and percentages represent how your final grade will be determined.  A grade of “C” or above is required to go on to the next course.

 

Homework	20%
Participation	10%
Quizzes	20%
Tests	25%
Final Exam	25%
Total	100%

 

 

Grades:

 

A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	65-69%
F	Below 65%

 

Course Policies:

 

Attendance Policy:

 

In accordance with departmental policy, the instructor reserves the right to withdraw any student who misses more than three classes.  Any student who misses class is required to make up the work.  Missed weekly quizzies and/or tests will be counted as a zero unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor or a doctor’s note is presented.  If class is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain information from other classmates and/or  Blackboard.

 

Participation:

 

Class participation is mandatory.  Students must arrive to class with homework completed and ready to participate.  Students who are not prepared or who choose not to participate in class activities may be asked to leave.  If this becomes a chronic problem, the instructor withholds the right to withdraw the student from the class.  In order to participate better, please refrain from talking, leaving during class time, and using pagers. 

 

Homework Policy:

 

Homework is mandatory.  Homework must be ready to hand in at the beginning of class.  This means all papers are to be typed, printed, stapled before class begins.  Exceptions are to be discussed with the instructor (such as an emergency).  Late homework is accepted if it is handed in within 24 hours but it will have a penalty of  20% of the total points earned.  If you have an excused absence, you are expected to have the completed homework that is due on the day of your return.  Beyond 24 hours, you will receive a zero.

 

Excessive Tardiness:

 

Class begins promptly at the scheduled time; therefore, students are expected to be on time.  The instructor will not repeat material for those who are tardy.  Two instances of tardiness (5 minutes late) will be counted as one absence.  Therefore it is of utmost importance you attend every class and be on time.

 

Withdrawal:

 

Students or instructors may initiate withdrawals any time during the semester before the official withdrawal deadline.  Withdrawal forms are available from the Admissions office.  When the instructor withdraws a student, ACC will send a notice to the student’s address on record, as contained in the student’s permanent file.

 

Incomplete:

 

To qualify for an incomplete, a student must have completed 90% of the work for the course, meet the minimum requirements for satisfactory progress, and have a grade of C or better.  Students who have made progress but are not ready for the next level may be assigned an IP grade.

 

Scholastic Dishonesty:

 

Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression.  Academia is defined as but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects either individualized or group; classroom presentations and homework.

 

 

Academic Freedom:

 

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class.  In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics.  It is my hope that these differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  Your grade will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or assignments.  Rather, we will respect the views of others.

 

Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD):

 

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through OSD on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the beginning of the semester.

 

 

Course Description and Prerequisities:

 

Excerpt from ACC’s website:  www.austincc.edu

 

Catalog Description:

 

Academic ESOL offers English classes for speakers of other languages in three skill areas: writing and grammar, reading and vocabulary, oral communication.  Within each area, we offer classes at five levels. Students who want to enroll in ESOL classes must take the ESOL assessment test. For information regarding this exam, please call 223-9236.  For information about Academic ESOL classes, please call one of the following numbers: 223-9202, 223-9201 (Office of the Department Chair--SAC), 223-3349 (Office of the Assistant Department Chair--RGC), 223-4014 (Assistant Dean--NRG), 223-2096, 223-2163 (FT Faculty-CYP CRK), 223-5507 (FT Faculty--EVC), 223-0070 (FT Faculty--RRC). All of our classes are colisted with Continuing Education (CE). For more information on how to enroll through CE, please call 223-7717, 223-9202, or 223-9236.  The ESOL Department offers ESOL-ASL classes for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. For more information, please call 223-6316.

 

Course Description and Prerequisites:

 

ESOL 0331 - Reading and Vocabulary 2 for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing  (3-4-0)

This course is designed for Deaf ESOL Students and taught in American Sign Language. Emphasis on comprehension skills, such as identifying main idea, supporting details, and patterns of paragraph development. Features reading short passages of academic materials. Focus on high frequency vocabulary and word forms. Students will be assessed on their ability to define (in both written English and ASL) new vocabulary. Repeatable for up to six-credit hours.

This course is not for college-level credit. Course Fee: $50.00  Student Accident Insurance Fee: $1.00    Prerequisites: Placement is made based on ESOL assessment. Course Type: D

 

 

My Role as an ACC Adjunct Instructor

 

Please review this list to understand what ACC faculty’s (instructors/professors) responsibilities are, according to ACC Faculty Handbook. Teaching styles and approaches vary from instructor to instructor and are not bound by ACC policies. Visit your instructor during office hours if you have any questions or concerns.

 

http://www.austincc.edu/hr/FacultyHandbook/instruction.php#adjunct

 

 

My Responsibilities As Required by ACC

 

1. Enforce no smoking, food and drinks rule.
2. Maintain office hours (1 hour per course)
3. Develop and hand out syllabus
4. Course Materials
5. Grading System
6. Attendance Policy
7. Course Activities/Objectives
8. ACC Policy
9. Prepare for class with knowledge and materials
10. Teach class at the time, date and location assigned
11. Conduct class activities in a way that is clear to the majority of the students
12. Use tests or other forms of assessments to measure progress
13. Maintain accurate student progress records (grades)
14. Establish and maintain working relationships with students
15. Check ACC e-mail and mailbox regularly
16.  Follow ACC disciplinary and grading policies

 

Instructional Techniques That Are Open to Me as An Instructor

1. May or may not record attendance
2. May or may not withdraw students for excessive absences, noncompliance or no progress
3. May or may not develop supplemental materials in addition to materials required/approved by department
4. May or may not meet with students outside of office hours
5. May withdraw or fail students for plagiarism/cheating
6. May establish their individual classroom procedures/expectations
7. May or may not give an IP
8. May require use of Blackboard, Internet, Computer Software and other materials

 

 

Your Responsibility As An ACC Student

 

Please review this list to understand what your responsibilities/rights are as an ACC student. The information below comes from the ACC Student Handbook.

 

What ACC Expects of Its Students

1. Attend class regularly and on time
2. Follow the course syllabus
3. Participate in/or complete course assignments, activities and tasks
4. Scholastic honesty on all assignments/tests (no cheating)
5. Follow all instructions given by instructors or college members for assessments
6. Acts civil and respectful to all ACC people and property
7. Get help from OSD, LELA, counselors or other professional staff in a timely and professional manner
8. Does not use alcohol, drugs, other substances and weapons on campus
9. Promote an equal and safe environment
10. Maintain a GPA of 2.0
11. Register and/or withdraw courses by the dates set by ACC
12.  Register/file accommodations with OSD and hand in OSD form to instructors
13.  Keep records of grades, meetings or other important information in case of appeal/complaints

 

Your Rights

1. To Due process
2. Withdraw the course
3. To receive a syllabus
4. Access to office hours
5. Access to Grades/Progress

 

 

You may check online for more information:

 

http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow/

 

USE OF OFFICE HOURS

 

ACC requires all instructors to have office hours. Hours and frequency of office hours depends on the instructor.  Office hours are primarily for individual consultation with students. Individual consultation is defined as a 1 on 1 meeting.

 

During office hours, I may be in and out of the office. It is better to “make an appointment” or let me know when you plan to visit me during office hours. Office hours are first come, first serve. I am unavailable at all other times so please plan ahead to visit during office hours.

Read below on how to use my office hours to best maximize your learning experience.

 

What Office Hours Are For	What Office Hours Are Not For
Discussion of grades of completed assignments/tests Discussion of class performance or attendance Discussion about my teaching style or course materials Re-take exams or turn in homework (for pre-arranged or excused absences only) Obtain feedback/practice or resources related to the course lessons Guidance through use of Blackboard/Tegrity (once)	Discuss personal problems/issues Discuss other instructors or students Course Registration/Advisement Tutoring Re-teaching lessons you missed in class Re-printing/ re-copying of handouts/texts Signing out loud handouts/workbook/other texts

 

 

 

Readings

 

Texts:

 

Reading Power 2by Linda Jefferies and Beatrice S. Mikulecky (4^th Edition)

Groundwork For A Better Vocabularyby Beth Johnson and Janet M. Goldstein (4^th Edition)

Course Subjects

Each class will be focused on vocabulary and reading, level 2.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

 

Common Course Objectives/Outcomes:

 

The main goal of Academic ESL program for Deaf students at ACC is to prepare students to handle the “listening and speaking” skills as well as reading and writing assignments as required in higher education.  To accomplish this purpose, the ESL faculty has adopted a communicative approach that integrates these four macroskills 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 microskills such as ASL to English translation and strategies that will prepare them to become independent learners.

 

 

Course Objectives:

 

• Identify the main ideas of simple nonfiction/fiction texts
• Identify the meaning of unfamiliar words using the surrounding context
• Scan for specific information
• Locate noun and pronoun preference
• Learn strategies for building an active vocabulary
• Read for pleasure
• Demonstrate knowledge of dictionary and thesaurus skills
• Demonstrate comprehension of a short story/passage in English by either retelling it in ASL and/or summarizing in print using English
• Demonstrate comprehension of idioms