AE O50-004: Level 5 Core

Fall 2015 Syllabus

Instructor: Lori Rottenberg

Instructor Email:

Course Website:Monday through Friday, 12:30 PM-2:20 PM

Classroom:GL 1316A

Office Hours:By appointment; just email me to ask for a time

Course Description

The goal of this course is for high-intermediate students to develop their academic reading and writing skills. (Goal CEFR B1+)

Course Objectives

This course will work on a number of skills to help you improve your English, including:

academic reading skills;
academic writing skills;
academic vocabulary skills; and
B1+ grammar skills.

For more detailed Student Learning Outcomes in each of the above categories, please see the chart at the end of this syllabus.

Course Textbook and Materials

We will use 3 textbooks in this course, a news magazine, and an extended reading book. Please bring the 3 textbooks and the most current magazine to class every day, unless I say otherwise.

Blass, et al. (2012). Grammar and Beyond 3 with Online Workbook. Cambridge. ISBN: 978-1-10-766028-1
Miller and Cohen (2014). Longman Academic Reading Series 3: Reading Skills for College. Pearson. ISBN: 978-0-13-276059-1
Oshima and Hogue (2014). Longman Academic Writing Series 4: Essays. Pearson (Fifth Edition), ISBN: 978-0-13-291569-4
Upfront magazine, to be ordered through class
Novel or non-fiction book, TBD, to be ordered through class

You MUST purchase a NEW copy of the grammar textbook so that you can obtain an online access code.

Course Requirements

We will improve your ability to read and write in English through a number of activities:

Daily In-Class Exercises: Most days, we will work from our textbooks and novel to practice reading, writing, and grammar. Your participation in these activities will be graded.

Homework: You will also have graded online Grammar and Beyond homework assignments. These assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day when the quiz on that material is given. So if we have a quiz on Unit 2 on Thursday, for example, you must have completed the online Unit 2 assignments by the start of class on Thursday. Online assignments can be done again and again to obtain a 100% until the due date.

Weekly Journals: You will have a weekly journal in which you will write at least 25 sentences of text per week. The journal needs to be in a dedicated notebook. The journals are due at the beginning of class on the days they are due. If you write your journals electronically, you must print BEFORE class begins.

Writing Assignments: We will do informal and formal writing every week. Informal writing will include weekly journals and responses to assigned readings. Formal writing assignments will include in-class timed writing and longer projects. Print any formal writing assignments BEFORE class begins.

Tests and Quizzes: We will have tests on each of the major Grammar and Beyond and Academic Reading sections that we cover. Test dates will be announced the day before.

Extended Reading: We will read a full-length non-fiction book or novel as a class, as well as other outside resources. I encourage you to read as much as possible outside of class as well! Reading will strengthen your English skills like nothing else. You will have a final writing assignment as part of our work on the novel.

Daily Questions: You are hearing English all around you. Bring in questions about grammar, phrases, or words that you hear, and I will try to allow time for this every day.

Grading Criteria

In-Class Exercises, Journals, and Online Homework:20%

Writing Assignments:20%

Reading Assessments:20%

Tests and Quizzes:15%

Final Reading/Writing Project: 5%

Common Final Exam (No early finals given!):20%

AE Final Grade System

Earning an 80% in Level 5 Core will satisfy the language requirements for advancement to Level 6 Core. Successful completion of this level (minimum overall average 80% in classes: Level 5 Core + Level 5 OCS + Elective + Elective II) is required before matriculating into Accelerated Undergraduate Pathways and some Standard Graduate Pathways.

Final Letter Grade / Final Percent Grade / Quality Points / Type
A+ / 97-100 / 4.00 / Passing
A / 93-96 / 4.00 / Passing
A- / 90-92 / 3.67 / Passing
B+ / 87-89 / 3.33 / Passing
B / 83-86 / 3.00 / Passing
B- / 80-82 / 2.67 / Passing
C+ / 77-79 / 2.33 / Failing
C / 73-76 / 2.00 / Failing
C- / 70-72 / 1.67 / Failing
D / 60-69 / 1.00 / Failing
F / 0-59 / 0.00 / Failing
NG (Based on attendance only) / N/A / 0.00 / Failing

In order to pass this class, you must earn at least 80%, and follow attendance policies!

Important Dates

Labor Day (No Classes) / Monday, September 7, 2015
Professional/Student Enrichment Day (No classes) / Friday, September 25, 2015
Columbus Day Recess (No classes) / Monday, October 12, 2015
Monday classes meet instead of Tuesday classes / Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Midterm Conference Period (Instructor choose one day from window ) / October 13-23, 2015
Study Plan Confirmation Deadline / Friday, November 6, 2015
Thanksgiving Recess (No classes) / November 25-29, 2015
Core/OCS Common Final Exam Period / December 8-11, 2015

Tue, 12/8 Core Writing Final Exam
Wed,12/9 OCS Speaking Final Exam
Thu, 12/10 Core Reading Final Exam
Fri, 12/11 OCS Listening Final Exam

Last Day of AE Classes / Friday, Dec 11, 2015
AE Final Grade Reports Available / Wednesday, Dec 16, 2015

Online Class Resources

I use our class website, to post important information, including links to any outside resources we analyze in class and homework assignments.
I use to provide you with up-to-date information about grades. I will make an account for each of you using your GMU email address, and you can log in to check your grades in my class at any time.
Your online homework from the textbook can be found at courses/view/507765. Our class code is B350409. The online homework can be done again and again until you earn 100%. It is due on the day that we have a quiz for that chapter.

Course Expectations

Your active, daily participation in class is essential to your success in this course. Please note the following class policies and expectations:

Attendance: I expect you to attend class every day and to be prepared and on time. GMU students are expected to attend at least 90% of all their classes. The maximum number of absences allowed for Core class is 10. If you have more than 10 absences (including ½ absences), you will receive an NG for this course. This policy is part of your F1 visa requirements, so I will strictly enforce these rules! If you miss a class, you will miss important information that is likely to appear on a test. If you are more than 5 minutes late, leave more than 5 minutes early, or leave class in the middle for more than 5 minutes, it is considered a ½ absence. Absences are also counted the last week of classes!

Missed Work: You are responsible for turning all assignments in on time, even if you are late, sick, or absent. If you let me know in advance that you have to be absent, I may allow you to make up tests or other assignments IF they can be done before the next class meeting, but, in general, I do not allow make-up exams, homework, or presentations.

Materials: Please bring the following materials to class every day: 1) pens or pencils; and 2) 8.5” x 11” lined notebook paper. You will also need to print your homework each week.

Technology Use: Cell phones must be turned OFF during class. It is considered very rude to text or check Facebook, Instagram, email, or other social media in class.

English Only: You are here to improve your communication skills in English. Make the most of this opportunity and challenge yourself by speaking only in English in this class.

Honor Code and University Policies

“Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work.” Cheating includes copying or allowing someone else to copy homework or test answers. See http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/ honorcode for more information on the GMU Honor Code.

The University Catalog is the central resource for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. However, faculty have the authority to set additional policies for their class.

Disability Accommodations

If you have a documented learning disability or other condition that may affect your academic performance, you should:

1) make sure this documentation is on file with Office of Disability Services (SUB I, Room 4205; 703-993-2474; http://ods.gmu.edu) to determine the accommodations you need; and

2) talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs.

Level 5 Core Schedule (050-004), Fall 2015, v. 1

Monday
12:30-2:20 / Tuesday
12:30-2:20 / Wednesday
12:30-2:20 / Thursday
12:30-2:20 / Friday
12:30-2:20
Week 1 / 8/31
Welcome / 9/1
Diagnostics / 9/2
Diagnostics / 9/3
Diagnostics / 9/4
Journal 1 Due
Week 2
Classification
GAB 3 / 9/7
NO CLASSES:
Labor Day Holiday / 9/8 / 9/9 / 9/10 / 9/11
Journal 2 Due
Week 3 / 9/14 / 9/15 / 9/16 / 9/17
Classification Essay Due / 9/18
Quiz 1
Journal 3 Due
Week 4
Process (L5)
GAB 21-23 / 9/21
Reading Homework 1 Due / 9/22 / 9/23 / 9/24
Journal 4 Due / 9/25
NO CLASSES:
Teachers’ Prof. Development
Week 5 / 9/28
Reading Homework 2 Due / 9/29 / 9/30 / 10/1
Process Essay Due / 10/2
Quiz 2
Journal 5 Due
Week 6
Cause/Effect (L6)
GAB 21-23 / 10/5
Reading Homework 3 Due / 10/6 / 10/7 / 10/8 / 10/9
Journal 6 Due
Week 7 / 10/12
NO CLASSES:
Columbus Day / 10/13 / 10/14 / 10/15
Cause/Effect Essay Due / 10/16
Quiz 3
Journal 7 Due
Week 8
Compare/Contrast
(L7) GAB 19 / 10/19
Reading Homework 4 Due / 10/20 / 10/21 / 10/22 / 10/23
Journal 8 Due
Week 9 / 10/26
Reading Homework 5 Due / 10/27 / 10/28 / 10/29
Compare/Contrast
Essay Due / 10/30
Quiz 4
Journal 9 Due
Week 10
GAB 20 / 11/2
Reading Homework 6 Due / 11/3 / 11/4 / 11/5 / 11/6
Journal 10 Due
Week 11
Argumentative/
Persuasive (L8) / 11/9
Reading Homework 7 Due / 11/10 / 11/11 / 11/12 / 11/13
Quiz 5
Journal 11 Due
Week 12
GAB 25 / 11/16
Reading Homework 8 Due / 11/17 / 11/18 / 11/19
Persuasive
Essay Due / 11/20
Journal 12 Due
Week 13 / 11/23
Quiz 6 / 11/24
NO CLASSES:
Thanksgiving Recess / 11/25 / 11/26 / 11/27
Week 14 / 11/30 / 12/1 / 12/2
Final Reading/ Writing Project / 12/3 / 12/4
Week 15 / 12/7
Final Review / 12/8
Writing
Final Exam / 12/9
Grammar
Final Exam / 12/10
Reading
Final Exam / 12/11
Level 5 Core (AE 050)
The goal of this course is for high-intermediate students to develop their academic reading and writing skills. (Successful completion of this level (minimum overall average 80% in classes: Level 5 Core + Level 5 OCS + Elective + Elective II) is required before matriculating into Accelerated Undergraduate Pathways and some Standard Graduate Pathways)
Course Objectives / Student Learning Outcomes
(Assessed through assignments, tests, and in-class work)
To develop comprehension and retention of modified academic and informational texts (mainly drawn from CEFR B1+ level academic reading textbook for adult ESL learners) / 5R-1 / Can skim for and determine the main idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas
5R-2 / Can scan for and identify explicit supporting details
5R-3 / Can make inferences and draw conclusions
5R-4 / Can trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not
5R-5 / Can determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text (e.g., figurative, connotative, and technical meanings)
5R-6 / Can analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept (e.g., sequence, cause/effect,
problem/solution, compare/contrast, and pro/con)
5R-7 / Can determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints
5R-8 / Can identify summaries of passages
5R-9 / Can interpret moderately complex graphs, charts, tables, maps and diagrams
[Required in fall and spring semesters only]
To read extensively for general understanding—completing one B1/B1+ level ESL reader / 5R-10 / Can understand a level-appropriate reader:

Summarizes events and identify main ideas from 8-10 pages of reader
Describes characters and their roles
Identifies major themes
Comprehends meanings of target words in context
Can make inferences about characters and relationships within context of reading
Can comprehend meanings of target words in context

To write academic essays on concrete and abstract topics / For handwritten/typed and timed/untimed writing assessments, students are expected to show understanding and evidence of:

Planning/ Prewriting
Drafting
Editing (self and/or peer)
Revising (only for untimed, out-of-class writing assignments requiring a final draft)
Formatting and mechanics

5W-1 / Can write a classification essay (e.g., characteristics of good student)
5W-2 / Can write a process essay
5W-3 / Can write a cause/effect essay
5W-4 / Can write a compare/contrast essay
5W-5 / Can write an argumentative/persuasive essay (Final)
To identify, understand, and use CEFR B1+ level written grammatical structures / 5G-1 / Second Conditionals: Present/Future Unreal Possibility (If + Past Simple + would + Base Verb)
5G-2 / Present Perfect Progressive
5G-3 / Adjective Clauses with Relative Pronouns
5G-4 / Passive Simple
5G-5 / TBD
To develop knowledge and usage of CEFR B1+ level written vocabulary / 5V-1 / Can use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
5V-2 / Can use common, level-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible)
5V-3 / Can consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to clarify a word’s precise meaning or part of speech
5V-4 / Can use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.
5V-5 / Can identify and understand figurative language
5V-6 / Can distinguish among the connotations (+/- associations) of words with similar denotations (e.g., assertive, aggressive, forceful) and use connotative meaning appropriately
5V-7 / Can understand and use accurately general academic (e.g., AWL, NAWL) and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading and writing at the B1+ level
5V-8 / All cardinal and ordinal numbers