ESOL 0336 - Spring 2003
COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

Expanded Description:
Advanced ESOL provides parallel instruction to ENGL 0321 and is designed according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Guidelines for writing proficiency. Four levels of proficiency: novice, intermediate, advanced, and superior determine student learning objectives and progress. Course instruction will be tailored for advanced and superior proficiency levels. Students will apply the grammatical principles from previous language instruction as they learn how to write effective essays and carry out research. The course combines audio visual, computer, and printed materials in a way that allows students to progress toward mastery of language proficiency goals and future success in college level English courses.

Vocabulary - Increase English vocabulary and improve their ability to
make effective and correct word choices in written assignments.

Grammar - Progress in the following areas:
Use of verbs, including subject/verb agreement, form of verbs, and elimination of
shifts in tense
Use of articles
Recognition and elimination of faulty parallelism
Recognition and correction of misplaced and dangling modifiers
Other areas based on problems observed in student essays.

Composition - Compose four essays and one research-based paper of at least 500
words using several of the following modes: narrative-descriptive, comparison
contrast, definition, process-analysis, cause-effect, classification, and/or
argumentative. The essays will demonstrate competence at the sentence,
paragraph, and multi-paragraph levels. Sentence level competencies will include
· appropriate word choices,
· standard word order,
· use of a variety of sentence types, and
· the absence of grammatical and mechanical errors.
Paragraph level competencies will include
· composing paragraphs that exhibit clear, concise topic sentences, supporting details, and effective transitions;
· composing paragraphs that exhibit logical development and organization;
· composing paragraphs that exhibit an understanding of these five modes -- comparison-contrast, persuasion-argument, classification-division-definition, cause-effect, and narrative-descriptive.
Multi-paragraph level competencies will include
· the ability to develop a controlling purpose, or main idea;
· the ability to develop essays using the following modes: comparison-contrast, argumentative-persuasive, classification-division, and cause-effect;
· the ability to compose supporting paragraphs that develop the controlling idea and avoid irrelevant information;
· the ability to arrange supporting paragraphs in a logical order and make use of effective transitions;
· the ability to write effective introductions and conclusions;
· competent research skills, including gathering sources in the library, taking notes, planning the paper, and using correct documentation in the paper;
· effective revision and editing skills.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Students will write short essays. Students will keep and turn in all drafts of each essay. Self-editing, teacher-assisted editing, and peer editing will be used to improve drafts. Analysis of effective writing samples, oral communication activities, and pronunciation exercises will also be utilized. Multimedia instruction will be integrated as appropriate.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES

Week 1 (1/13-1/17)
Topics: The Writing Process and Grammar Review
Homework: Read pp. 1-10 in Refining. Review Lesson pp. 1-30 in
Grammar.

Week 2 (1/21-1/24)
Holiday - Monday, January 20
Topic: Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tense, Essays
Homework: Define 5 new English words. Lesson One pp. 31-53 in
Grammar. Read pp. 103-126 in Refining.

Week 3 (1/27-1/31)
Topics: Compare/Contrast Essay and Present Perfect/Present Perfect Continuous
Homework: Read pp. 153-182 in Refining. Define 5 new
English words. Finish Lesson One pp. 53-73 in Grammar.

Week 4 (2/3-2/7)
Grammar Test on Lesson One pp. 31-73 in Grammar on Monday,
February 3.
Topics: Compare/Contrast Essay, Passive Voice, and Participles
Homework: Define 5 new English words. Complete assigned exercises
on pp. 77-112 in Grammar.
Rough draft - Compare/Contrast Essay - due Friday, February 7 (2 copies)

Week 5 (2/10-2/14)
Grammar Test on Lesson 2, pp. 77-112 in Grammar on Monday,
February 10.
Topics: Compare/Contrast Essay and Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous,
and Past Continuous Tenses
Homework: Visit lab assistant in L257 to review compare/contrast essay,
revise compare/contrast essay and prepare final copy. Define 5 new
English words. Complete assigned exercises on pp. 117-146 in Grammar.
Writing assignment 1 -- Compare/Contrast Essay -- due Friday,
February 14. Assignment must include the following: prewriting, first draft, peer edit sheet, lab edit sheet, final copy.

Week 6 (2/17-2/21)
Grammar Test on Lesson 3 pp. 117-146 in Grammar on Monday,
February 17.
Topics: Classification Essay and Present and Future Modals
Homework: Read pp. 183-211 in Refining. Define 5 new English words.
Complete assigned exercises on pp. 149-186 in Grammar.

Week 7 (2/24-2/28)
Grammar Test on Lesson 4 pp. 149-186 in Grammar on Monday,
February 24
Topics: Classification Essay and Modals in the Past
Homework: Define 5 new English words. Complete assigned exercises
on pp. 189-216 in Grammar.
Rough draft -- Classification Essay -- due Friday, February 28
(2 copies)

Week 8 (3/3-3/7))
Grammar Test on Lesson Five, pp. 189-216 in Grammar on Monday,
March 3.
Composition: Classification Essay
Homework: Visit L257 to review writing assignment 3, revise essay.
Define 5 new English words.
Writing assignment 2 -- Classification Essay -- due Friday, March 7.
Assignment must include the following: prewriting, first draft, peer edit sheet, lab edit sheet, final draft.

Spring Break - March 10-14

Week 9 (3/17-3/21)
Topics: Adjective Classes, Descriptive Phrases, the Research Paper and the
Cause-and-Effect Analysis Essay
(Your research paper will explore the causes or effects of some
circumstance or event.)
Homework: Read pp.238-272 in Refining. Define 5 new English words.
Complete assigned exercises on pp. 219-255 in Grammar.

Week 10 (3/24-3/28)
Grammar Test on Lesson 6, pp. 219-255 in Grammar on Monday,
March 24
Topics: The Research Paper and the Cause-and-Effect Analysis Essay,
Infinitives and Gerunds
Homework: Conduct library research on your chosen topic. Define 5 new
English words. Complete assigned exercises on pp. 259-302 in
Grammar.

Week 11 (3/31-4/4)
Grammar Test on Lesson 7, pp. 259-302 in Grammar on Monday,
March 31
Topics: Research Paper and Cause-and-Effect Analysis Essay,
Adverbial Clauses and Phrases, Sentence Connectors
Homework: Define 5 new English words. Complete assigned exercises on
pp. 305-340 in Grammar.
Rough draft -- Cause and Effect Research Paper -- due Friday, April 4
(2 copies)

Week 12 (4/7-4/11)
Grammar Test on Lesson 8, pp. 305-340 in Grammar on Monday,
April 7
Topics: Research Paper and Noun Clauses
Homework:. Define 5 new English words. Complete assigned exercises
on pp. 343-382 in Grammar. Visit L257 to review research paper.
Writing assignment 3 -- Cause and Effect Research Paper -- due Friday,
April 11. Assignment must include the following: outline, first draft, peer edit sheet, lab edit sheet, final draft.

Week 13 (4/14-4/17)
Holiday - Friday, April 18
Grammar Test on Lesson 9, pp. 343-382 in Grammar on Monday,
April 14
Topic: The Argumentative Essay
Homework: Read pp. 275-298 in Refining. Define 5 new English words.

Week 14 (4/21-4/25)
Topics: Argumentative Essay, Unreal Conditions, Present and Past Wishes
Homework: Define 5 new English words. Complete assigned exercises on
pp. 387-421 in Grammar.

Week 15 (4/28-4/30)
Grammar Test on Lesson 10, pp. 387-421 in Grammar on Monday,
April 28
Writing assignment 4 -- Argumentative Essay -- due on Wednesday, April 30
Posttest will be given in class on Wednesday, April 30.

FINAL EXAM

The final exam will be given on Tuesday, May 6 from 7:45-9:45 a.m. in L249.
Please plan to take the final on this date as no early or late finals will be given.

GRADING

1. Writing assignments 1, 2, and 4 100 each
2. Writing assignment 3 (research paper) 200
3. Vocabulary 50
4. Grammar tests 100
5. Class and lab assignments (prepositions, punctuation, journals) 50
6. Grammar in Context assignments 200
7. Posttest and final exam (posttest 20; final 80) 100

900-1000 A
800-899 B
700-799 C
600-699 D
Below 600 F

GRADING CRITERIA

1. For the in class assignments, the vocabulary, and the Grammar in Context assignments, you will receive a completion grade. If these assignments are complete, you will receive all the points.
2. The essays will be graded by evaluating the extent to which the writing meets the requirements of the assignment. The subject matter of the writing will have to be sufficiently mature in order to receive a satisfactory grade or better. The parts of the essay--introduction, body, and conclusion--will all have to be acceptable. The logic of the piece and clarity of the discussion will be considered, as well as the grammar and punctuation.

COURSE POLICIES

No food or beverages are allowed in the classroom. Turn off telephones and pagers while in class.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES POLICY

Students needing special accommodations due to a physical or learning disability must contact the Disabilities Services Counselor in order to receive assistance (209-7255). The office is located in the Administration Building, counseling area. Please see me about any recommended accommodations.

INCOMPLETE GRADES

According to Blinn College Policy, a grade of incomplete can be given only under the following circumstances: (1) in emergency situations, such as a serious illness affecting either the student or a member of the immediate family, and (2) only if the final exam and/or a final paper or project is not completed. An incomplete grade is not designed to make up work missed during the semester. The instructor, Division Chair, and student have to agree on this grade and fill out a contract before the grade is given.

CIVILITY

Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for
their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY

No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated at Blinn College. This includes cheating by copying answers, plagiarism, and collusion on written assignments. If students violate this policy, a report will be sent to the Division Chair after the first offense. If there is a second offense, a more severe penalty may be applied according to Blinn Policy.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The attendance policy for this course is the following. Students are required to attend all classes. You will be dropped from the course if you miss more than the equivalent of two weeks of classes. For classes that meet two times a week, four absences is the maximum number of classes you can miss. If you miss the fifth time, you will be dropped from the course, no exceptions. There are no excused absences; therefore, you should use your absences wisely and never be absent unless the absence is unavoidable.

OTHER POLICIES

1. Homework for Grammar in Context is due at the beginning of the class period after it is assigned. The specific assignments for each chapter will be given in class. The chapters to be covered each week are listed in the "Tentative Calendar." I will ask you to type, print, and turn in your vocabulary words for each week during the first lab of the next week. The deadlines for writing assignments are provided in the syllabus. Please contact me as soon as possible if an emergency situation arises that will result in late work.
2. If you miss a test, please see me before or after class or during my office hours to discuss making it up. You must see me about the missed test no later than one week after the test date. Students may only make up a test if they missed it for a reason beyond their control. This includes serious illness, family emergency, or other emergencies. These problems will have to be documented with a doctor's or other excuse. If you are uncertain about whether your situation is one that would allow you to take a make up exam, please contact me in advance of the test at my home, office, or by email.
3. Work completed during the class and the lab should be kept in your notebook. This includes your journal writing assignments and assignments from supplementary texts. These should be completed on a sheet of notebook paper. I will collect these items at the end of the semester, and they are part of your grade. If you miss class, these cannot be made up, and your grade for this part, which is a completion grade, will be lower.
4. Please do not schedule appointments during our class time. There are no excused absences.
5. Please be on time for class and do not leave the class once it has begun as this is distracting to the other students and to me.

Please ask me about any information or policy that is not clear to you. Thank you for following these policies.