English as a Second Language 1A – Accelerated Reading and
Writing for English as a Second Language
Fall 2016
Tuesdays andThursdays 9:30-12:20
16 WeekClass/6 Units (6 hours lecture per week)
Instructor:Dr. Lyn Neylon
Phone /e-mail:619-660-4241 /
Office:B 355
OfficeHours:On Door
WELCOME:
This class is termed an “Accelerated” course. What this means has little to do with speed. Instead, this class exposes you to materials and techniques beyond which you would get in more traditional ESL courses. In short, there will be more work demanded of you in this class. However, successful completion of this course takes you to level B, which will reinforce all the skills introduced here, so you will have more time than you think to “get it right.” For those of you who do exceptionally well in 1A, the possibility exists for you to skip the B course and go straight to ESL 2A. This A and B tiered method (the Accordion Method as pioneered by Laney College in Oakland, California) allows you to accelerate faster than a student in a traditional class, OR to slow the pace to a more traditional one by going from A to B, then tackling the next level. Don’t worry, we will together find the right pace for you and get through. What you need to commit to is the work. This is a six-hour-per-week class, which means you should set aside at least ten hours a week for homework. In my experience, those who commit to this homework time are almost always successful in the course.
Pre-requisites:
Grade of “Pass” in ESL 080 or equivalent or assessment into ESL 096, 100 or 1A
Text & Materials:Required Texts:
The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez
University of New Mexico Press, 1997
ISBM 13: 978-0-8263-1797-1
Voices from the Fields by S. Beth Atkin
Little, Brown and Company1993
ISBN 978-0-316-05620-5
Suggested Texts:
Any collegelevel dictionary.
Textswillbe available in the CollegeBookstore. Other material to be provided by instructor.
CourseDescription:
This course is designed to bring students up to the grammatical, reading and composition level needed for three to two levels below ENGL 120. The focus is on reading intermediate-level complex texts, analyzing with critical attitude, and writing paragraph-to-essay length papers with proper format and evidence of intermediate to high intermediate level academic depth and rigor of research. Students in this course are generally on an accelerated pathway through the English as a Second Language program. Non-degree applicable.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1)Apply the rules for the formation, meaning and use of English structures when reading and writing in English.
2)Read passages efficiently by applying appropriate reading strategies and understand common cultural references in text.
3)Demonstrate moderate high intermediate level ability to read texts of some conceptual or linguistic complexity in a variety of genres from personal to academic.
4)Define new vocabulary based on reading and discussion, structural analysis and contextual clues.
5)Use reading techniques to distinguish facts and details from opinions, judgments and conclusions.
6)Use basic English tenses appropriately to communicate the intended ideas.
7)Use writing techniques to compose original paragraphs and multi-paragraph compositions which display evidence of proper organization and development at a higher intermediate level with use of topic sentences and a thesis statement.
8)Edit and proofread their own writing or peer writing at a high intermediate level following the basic rules of paragraph formation, essay structure, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
CourseRequirements:
Quizzes
Tests may consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, true/false questions, complete sentences and short paragraphs. These will be your opportunity to show me you have learned the writing principles we have practiced. Mostly, these quizzes will be about the vocabulary we are learning.
Quizzes and exams cannot be madeup, so pleasedon’t missclass on adaywhen a
test isscheduled. Therewill beno exception to this rule.
Journals
Journals are only assigned every once in a while at the beginning or end of class. See your calendar for the dates they are assigned and make sure to bring a BLUE BOOK to class on those dates. A journal consists of writing your response to a special question the instructor gives you on that day.
Blackboard:
You will find the followingexercises on Blackboard. Beprepared to navigate this important utilityboth from school and from your home. If you do not own a computer, theinstructor will allow you lab time at school to complete the assignments.
Summary and AnnotationsLogs
You will summarize and comment oneach readingassigned in thetext. The purposeoftheselogsis to help you remember important details which will be useful to you in preparation for examsand writingassignments. Iwillcheck the logs weeklyduringthe semester to assign points. In order to get the fullpoints for this assignment, you willneed to briefly summarize the readingin your own words, AND provide samples of annotation notes you made in the book. I will show you how to do the annotations in class.
Writing Checks
These are short quizzes about the different types of writings we are doing during the semester.
Vocabulary Worksheets
You will be assigned to remember the meanings and usage of a few vocabulary words for every reading. These worksheets must be turned in on time to Blackboard.
Homework
You will have several homework assignments that include short writings in preparation for longer paragraphs and essays.
Paragraph and Essays
You willbe expected to writea full paragraph and 2 full essays followingMLA format. These essays are turned into Blackboard on the SafeAssign feature, PLUS a hard copy is due to the instructor on the due date.
In Class Writing Exams
On the dates that your first paragraph and your two essays are due, you will be given a writing exam to be completed in class.
Group Discussions on Blackboard
You are automatically assigned to a Group at the beginning of the semester and then change every five weeks until the end. After each assigned reading, you will answer either a question from the instructor or from one of your group members on the Group discussion Board, as well as provide a question yourself for your fellow group members.
Activities
Several Activities will happen post Reading in our class. Most of the time these activities will be done in our Groups (see above). Everyone who participates in these learning activities gets points in Blackboard.
Annotation Checks
At different times during the semester the instructor may elect to check your books for the required annotations. Those who annotate get points. Those who don’t, don’t!
Tutor Visits
Three times during the semester you will be required to visit a tutor in the writing lab in order to seek help with one of your writing projects. You will write a short note to me on Blackboard to let me know when you have completed these visits.
ClassroomEtiquette
Students shall arriveon time and not leave class except for an emergency.
Students shall cometo class prepared with homework and proper materials.
Whilein the classroom, students shall notengagein anyactivitynot related to this class such as texting, private discussion with classmate(s), workingon homework assignments.
Diversityis respected. No mean-spirited profiling, stereotypingor slurs based on race,ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation will be tolerated.
Courtesy, respect, intelligence, maturityareassumed attributes of each student. This means that you havemanners (and usethem), you listen attentivelyeven when you disagreewith someone, and you express your disagreement intelligentlyand respectfully.
Students shall be warned about disruptive behavior, useof electronicgadgets, talkingwhen others arespeaking, sleepingor layingtheirheads on thedesk.
If behavior is notcorrected, it mayresult in the student being asked to leavethe class.
Class Participation
Students aremembers of an academic community with accompanyingrights and
responsibilities based on honesty, trust, fairness, and mutual respect. Students are ultimatelyresponsible fortheirown learningin this course. As amemberof this learningenvironment, you need to be punctual,considerate, and you need to
do allof your work promptlyand to thebest of your ability.
Attendance
Students willbedropped upon the fifth absenceifitoccurs beforethe drop date.
Twotardies equal one absence. Leavingclass earlyis equivalent to atardyor absence, dependingon when class is left. If astudent comes in late after rollis called, examsmaynot be madeup dueto arrivinglate, and itis thestudent’s responsibilityto seeme after class to makesurethe absenceis removed. When absent orlate, the student should find out what happened in class and iftherewas anynew information about assignments or changes to theschedule orthe assignments. Therefore, itis good to get phone numbers/e-mail addresses ofother students. Each student is responsible for completingassignments and comingto the next class prepared– ALWAYS.
Friend Phone#
Friend Phone#
InstructorAbsence
In an instancewherethe instructor is thirtyminutes ormorelate for class, students
shall sign an attendancesheet and then be freeto leave.
Withdrawals
Students areresponsible fordroppingthe class if no longer choosingto attend. It
is important to your gradeto withdraw properly; otherwise, you willreceive a
grade at end ofterm (mostlikelyan F) ratherthan a “W” forwithdrawal.
Electronic Equipment
Turn off allheadphones, pagers, beepers or cellphonesand placethem out of
viewduringclass time. Do not leave class to answer ormakeaphone call. Anyone violating this rulewill be warned onceand then asked to leaveif warning is notheeded.
WrittenWork
All essays are required to be submitted in MLA format and word processed. All
Paragraphs and essays arehanded in with the previous draft, if any, underneath thenew draft andstapled. All written work forsubmission must be written in blueor black ink.
Special Services
Special needs students need to present a Disabled Support Programs and
Services (DSPS) form in order to receive a reasonable accommodation.
Writing Center/ ESL LabandESL Tutors
If you need help completingthe assignments or ifyou would likeideas on how to
develop your essays, you can get it bygoingto theLearningSkills Centerlocated in B167. Writingis a complexand challengingprocess and allstudents can benefit from extrahelp. Forthis reason, Iencourageyou to sign up forsupervised writingtutoringin B167. All Supervised Tutoringsections arefreeto you. You need onlyto enrollto receive services– no units or grades aregiven.
Academic Integrity
TheEnglish as a Second Language Department has azero tolerancepolicyfor cheatingorplagiarism. Accordingto theCuyamacaCollegeCatalog, Student codeof Conduct, AcademicDishonesty, such as cheatingor plagiarizing, is grounds for instructional and administrativesanctions. That means that if you present the
words, ideas or work of someone else as your own, orif you haveyour work heavilyrewritten bysomeone else and turn it in as your own, your instructor has the right to failthe assignment. Thesameis trueif you areseen or otherwise caught cheatingon aquiz, exam or othernon-collaborative assignment.
In addition to whatever penaltythe instructor applies to your graded work, he/she willreport your misconduct to the Department Chair, theInstructional Dean and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. TheAssociated Dean of Student Affairs willkeep amasterlist of cases of student misconduct. Anystudent who is reported to have cheated orplagiarized twicewillbe called in forameetingwith that dean. It will be up to the dean’s discretion to determinewhat action to take, but students maybeSUSPENDED FROM THE COLLEGEOR PERMANENTLY EXPELLED for repeated acts of cheatingor plagiarism.Please feel freeto consult the college catalogfor furtherinformation or visit
ImportantDates:
FALL 2016 CALENDAR
Regular Day & Evening Classes Begin...... August 22
Last Day to Add Semester-Length Classes...... September 2
Last Day to Drop Semester-Length Classes
Without a “W” Appearing on Transcripts...... September 2
Last Day for Refund Semester-Length Classes...... September 2
Holiday (Labor Day)...... September 5*
Census Day (Semester-length Classes)...... September 6
Last Day to Apply for P/NP Semester-Length Classes...... September 23
Last Day to Apply for Fall 2016 Degree/Certificate...... October 14
End of First 8-Week Session...... October 15
Second 8 - Week Session Begins...... October 17
Last Day to Drop Semester-Length Classes...... November 10
Holiday (Veterans’ Day Observed)...... November 11*, 12*
Holiday (Thanksgiving)...... November 24, 25, 26*
End of Second 8-Week Session...... December 10
Final Examinations...... December 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17
Close of Fall Semester...... December 17
Instructor Grade Deadline...... December 21
Winter Recess...... December 18 - January 29
Dates listed are subject to change. Please see for the most current calendar.
Grading:
Grading is on a point system. The following assignments with their point values are
totaled .
Quizzes ------6 Quizzes @ 10 + 1 X20= 80 points
Journals ------8 journals @ 5= 40 points
S and A Logs------9 Logs @ 5= 45 points
Writing Checks------3 Checks @ 10= 30 points
Vocabulary Worksheets------6 Worksheets @ 5= 30 points
Homework------7 Homework Writings @ 5= 35 points
Group Discussion Boards------9 Discussions @ 3= 27 points
Activities------30 Activities @ 3= 33 points
Annotation Checks------4 Checks @ 5= 20 points
Tutor Visits------3Visits @ 5= 15 points
Paragraph 1------25 points
In-class Writing Exam 1------40 points
Essay 1------60 points
In-class Writing Exam 2------75 points
Essay 2------85 points
In-class Writing Exam 3------100 points
Final------60 points
Total------800 points
Note* All workwill begradedona point system. The total points for the classwill determine thestudent grade.Theinstructormay change thistotal for thesemesterat his discretion. Ifso, hewill informtheclassso the student may alter thefollowing chart as directed:
A = 720 points or more (90%)Superior
B = 640 points– 719 points(80%)Good
C = 560 points– 639 points(70%)Average
D= 480 points– 559 points(60%)BelowAverage/no pass
F= 479 or belowFail
Assignment points maybe adjusted at anytime at thediscretion ofthe instructor. Anywork which does not meet the requirements of the instructor CANNOT be repeated without thepermission of theinstructor.
WARNING: THEINSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE ASSIGNMENT POINT VALUES THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT. THE INSTRUCTOR WILL INFORM THE STUDENTS OF THE CHANGE IF THIS OCCURS.
Homework and Late Policy:
Allhomework andclass assignments must be typed and turnedin(and
submittedto BLACKBOARDifrequired)on thedate due. LATE WORK IS SEVERELY PENALIZED. No work turned in later than one week from the due date will be accepted.
Classroom Policies:
I knowthat themajorityof the students enrolled inthis course are serious adults who arehereto learn and improvetheir skills. However,tobe sure that we allunderstand what constitutes acceptable classroom behaviorI makethefollowing statement. I expect each of you totreat one another with respect.Speaking when someone else is addressing the class, reading non-courserelated materialsduring class,or disrupting the class byrudebehaviorisunacceptable. Students should reviewthediscussion ofacademic integritygiven inthe catalogue.This course adheresto the policiesoutlined intheCuyamacaCollege catalogue. For further information, seeAcademic Policies in the catalogue.Studentswith disabilitieswho mayneed academic accommodations should discuss optionswith any time during the semester.