Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: LAHS
Course Prefix and number: ESL 090
Course Title: Advanced English as a Second Language Conversation
DATE PREPARED: September 17, 1996
DATE REVISED:
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 1.9-320160
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: January 13, 1997
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 4
LABORATORY HOURS:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: Assessment
A course designed for non-native English speakers who need to develop conversation skills.
Students will participate in a variety of speaking and listening activities to improve their
language skills and to help prepare them for the demands of the college setting.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Making Connections 2: An Integrated Approach to Learning Kessler, Carolyn Heinle & Heinle
Publishers
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY: (Indicate if course is General Education/IAI)
This course does NOT count towards completion of the A.A. degree or the A.S. degree.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Students in this course will:
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Interact with students in group discussions to develop increased listening and speaking
skills.
Participate in role play and cooperative learning situations which require them to respond
spontaneously using natural conversation.
Use a problem-solving approach in small group activities to identify problems, reach
consensus, and defend decisions.
Participate in speaking activities which provide opportunities for face-to-face interaction
with classmates and the community.
Apply grammatical structures in communicative activities.
Apply circumlocution skills in natural conversation and communicative tasks.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
This course does not focus on specific content areas, but on communicative speaking/listening skills.
The course may include, but will not be limited to, the following skills:
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Developing effective listening and persuasive speaking skills
Increasing aural/oral vocabulary
Discussing current events and/or workplace issues
Recognizing cultural issues related to communication
Expressing opinion vs. fact
Defending ethical and/or moral views
Recognizing conversational taboos
Recognizing non-verbal communication
Applying circumlocution skills in natural conversation and communicative tasks
TESTS/EXAMS, GRADING SYSTEM
Since the course focuses on communicative abilities, grades will be based on student performance
and progress; therefore, no formal tests will be administered.
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Active classroom participation will be a determining factor in the final grading of the students.
Homework that is collected, out-of-class assignments, etc. will serve as indicators of preparedness.
Consequently, grades will be based on students' participation, preparedness, and attendance. The
students= progress may also be assessed through pre and post video interviews.
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Since the nature of the course is to focus on the communicative process, reading and writing
assignments will be used minimally to stimulate discussion.