CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE
ESL 169
Grammar/Writing III
Advisory:
Number of weeks: 18
Lecture hours:
4
Units:
4
Successful completion of ESL 166 or appropriate score on ESL Placement Test
Course Description: This course provides instruction in grammar and writing for high-intermediate
ESL students.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use targeted grammatical structures correctly in guided spoken and written communication.
Use specific grammar points to write passages of at least 200-300 words.
Integrate a variety of sentences in their writing: simple, compound, and complex.
Identify targeted grammatical structures in reading passages.
Identify parts of speech and their uses in sentences.
Course Content:
1.
10%
Verb tense review:
 Present tenses: simple present, present progressive
 Past tenses:
simple past (including “used to”), past progressive
 Future tense with “will” and “be going to”
2.
25%
Verb tenses: formation and use in statements, yes/no questions, and information questions
 Present perfect tense
 Present perfect progressive tense
3.
25%
Infinitives and gerunds:
4.
25%
Present/future modals
5.
5%
Comparatives and Superlatives
6.
10%
Introduction to passive voice:
 Basic formation and uses
 Passive forms of simple present, simple past, simple future, and present perfect tenses
Methods of Instruction:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explicit instruction on grammatical structures, including proofreading and editing
Exercises, including identification of structures in texts
Pair and group discussions/activities
Feedback on student writing and oral production
Computer-aided instruction
Required Texts and Materials:
1.
2.
Textbook: Grammar in Context, Book 2B, 5th edition, Sandra Elbaum, Heinle & Heinle
Instructor-prepared handouts
Course Expectations:
Students will spend approximately 8 hours per week on the following types of homework assignments:
1.
2.
3.
Reading of text material and completion of exercises
Reading of supplemental materials [such as articles and stories]
Completion of writing assignments
Student Assessment:
1.
2.
4.
5.
Tests:
Homework and class work (including quizzes):
In and out of class writing assignments:
Final exam:
40%
20%
20%
20%
Grading Policy:
A letter grade will be assigned based on the following categories:
90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, below 60% = F.
Students who choose the credit/no credit option will receive CR for an average of 70% and above, or
NC for an average below 70%.
Revised by N. Borhan, G. Segade, E. Smith, L. Statan, and E. Xiezopolski, Fall 2010