North Seattle Community College
Basic & Transitional Studies: ESL
Spring Quarter, 2014
COURSE SYLLABUS for
ESL 041.01
12:00 – 1:50 daily
Classroom: IB 3417
Instructor: Curtis Bonney
Telephone: (206) 934-4551
Email: curtis.bonney@seattlecolleges.edu
Office: IB 2410 B
Office Hours: M-Th 10 to 11 pm or by appt.
Teacher’s Website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/cbonney/
• Holidays: Monday, May 26th (Memorial Day).
• The last day of the quarter is Monday, June 16th.
• Tuition: $25.00 due within 24 hours of registration. If you are low-income and
need a scholarship, please speak to me at the break or after class.
Textbook: FUTURE 4: English for Results (with CD & workbook)
By Diaz
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN: 9780132455794
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 Please get a copy of the book by the 3rd day of class.
You can buy it at the bookstore for about $28.00 used (if
there are any) and $38.55 new. If you don’t have a copy of
this textbook, you won’t pass the class.
 We will use this textbook nearly every day and we
will study chapters 1 - 6. When you pass to ESL 042 (4B),
you will continue to use this book and you will study
chapters 7 – 12.
 If you want to find a used copy from a student, go to
ESL 051.01 in IB 3428 at 9:50 am. Maybe a returning 042
student will sell you his/her book from last quarter.
 I have several copies (and the CDs) on reserve in the
Library. Go to the main desk and show the librarian your syllabus. You can
check them out for 1 night only.
If you really, really don’t have any money to buy a textbook, talk to me about
borrowing one from the ESL lending library.
Required Materials:
• Regular size paper (8 1/2 x 11.) for all assignments.
• A 3-ring binder to keep assignments in.
• Pencil with eraser
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• A pen with blue or black ink.
In this class you will study and practice all 4 English skills: reading, writing, listening
and speaking. We will also work on improving your grammar, vocabulary, spelling and
editing.
Attendance:
1. You need to notify me every time you are going to be absent.
2. If you cannot come to class, please call me (206) 934-4551 or send me an email at curtis.bonney@seattlecolleges.edu. Please leave your name, date and
class number. Please give me your full name!
3. If you miss 10 classes without notifying me, you will fail the class.
4. If you missed a class, please call your classmates to get the homework.
Grading system: ESL 041 is level 4A: the first level in level 4. To go to 042 –
Level 4B - you need to pass in reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening. If
your speaking is good, but your writing still needs work, you will need to repeat Level
4A until your writing is ready for 4B.
Passing is 75% or more. You will get grades on your homework, class participation,
quizzes, tests and writing assignments. At the end of the quarter I will average your
scores. If you get 75% or above, you can move on to ESL 042.
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We will have many small quizzes this quarter. A typical quiz only takes 10
minutes. The chapters in our book are long and usually take 2 weeks to
complete. Along the way we will have quizzes about the vocabulary and
grammar in the chapter. Sometimes I will tell you when the quiz will happen
and sometimes I will surprise you.
We will have 5 chapter tests this quarter-–not including the CASAS tests.
After we finish a chapter in the book, we will have a test. Each test will
contain vocabulary words (& spelling), listening, grammar, & reading from that
chapter, and sometimes from previous chapters. We will not have a final
exam.
We will also do several writing assignments this quarter. Each writing
assignment will require you to use the grammar and vocabulary you learned in
each chapter. A writing assignment must be turned in 2 times: 1st draft, which
will be done in-class, and 2nd draft, which will be done at home.
CASAS tests: In the 8th week of the quarter, we will take the state tests in
reading and listening. Although these tests do not directly affect your grade, they are
very important because they show the state that ESL students are really learning
English. If the state is happy, it will continue to pay most of your tuition for ESL
classes.
If you don’t take a CASAS test this quarter, the school will place a “hold” on your
registration, and you will not be allowed to register for classes next quarter. If you
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can’t make the testing day or time, please let me know so that we can re-schedule
you.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
When it is time for a test or quiz, and if we have some
room in the class, I will move you away from your classmates. I do this to everyone.
You are not special. If I move you this time, I will move your neighbor next time.
Tests or Quizzes: If I see you copying another student’s test or quiz, I will take it and
give you a 0. If I see you letting another student copy your test or quiz, I will take it
and give you a 0. If you do either of these a second time, I will report you to the
Associate Dean, and she will meet with you to determine whether or not you can
remain in ESL classes.
Writing: It is very important for you to do your own writing when the teacher asks you
to write a paragraph in class or at home. This is the only way you can improve your
English.
 Do not copy another student’s paragraph.
 Do not copy a paragraph from a book.
 Do not ask someone to write it for you.
Homework: It is also important for you to do your homework on your own at home.
Homework is a chance for you to practice English at home and to see if you
understand what you studied.
 Do not copy another student’s homework.
 Do not do the homework in class.
 Do not ask someone to do the homework for you.
Class Rules:
• Come to every class. Please do not be late.
• Speak only English in class.
• Raise your hand if you have something to say.
• Please do not talk when your teacher or someone else is speaking.
• Sit next to someone with a different language.
• Be active in class and speak up with partners or in groups.
• Do your homework.
• Take all tests and quizzes.
• Turn off your cell phones.
• Do not bring children to class with you.
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