ESOL 0349 – Advanced Intermediate Conversation for Foreign Speakers
Fall Semester 2013
Katy campus– Monday and Wednesday 12:00 -2:30 p.m.
Class Dates: Aug. 26th – Dec. 15th
Instructor: Rita Colina
Instructor Contact Information: e-mail: rita.colina@hccs.edu
phone: 713-557 6084
Learning Website http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/rita.colina@hccs.edu
Office location and hours: during lab, or by appointment
Prerequisites
A passing grade in ESOL 0345 or, for incoming students, placement exam cut-offs
Course Description
A continuation of ESOL 0345, this course is designed to further develop conversational skills by
incorporating higher level vocabulary and grammatical structures. Students are also required to present
oral reports and work together in small groups.
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate skill in speaking and comprehension of spoken English in various contexts (social,
workforce and academic).
2. Demonstrate facility in comprehending and using level-appropriate vocabulary.
3. Produce comprehensible speech which is accurate enough to be comprehended
4. Make a presentation on a researched topic.
5. Listen to academic lectures and take accurate notes.
5. Identify key points of a spoken academic lecture by using notes taken.
Instructional Materials
Textbook: Contemporary Topics 2, 3rd edition, Ellen Kisslinger, Pearson Longman Publishers
A binder to keep all assignments, handouts, and tests
An English dictionary
HCC Grading Scale
90-100% =A 80 – 89% = B 70 – 79% = C
ESOL 0349 Grading Formula
Unit Tests
30%
Oral Presentations
30%
Final exam
20%
Lab/home work
10%
class/group work
10%
````
100%
Below 70% = IP (not passing)
Course Requirements for ESOL 0349
Students in ESOL 0349 will fulfill the following requirements:
give 4 graded oral presentations
listen to academic lectures and take accurate notes
take 5 graded listening tests on academic lectures
participate in a group presentation
Homework: Homework leads to your success.
Homework must be completed before the class begins. If it is not complete when the assignment is due,
it is a “0.” Several “0”s will negatively affect your grade. If you show it to me the next day, you can get
some/partial credit. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the assignment from another
student and give it to me when you return for credit. You are responsible for all work you missed while
absent.
Make-policy:
assigned oral presentations- You are responsible to give your presentation on the day that you are
assigned. Do not be absent when it is your turn or you will receive a “0.” Presentation dates are
given in advance. If you have a conflict with the date, see me in advance. A presentation can be made
up only if you can provide what your instructor considers a very good reason for having a second chance.
tests/quizzes--You may be allowed at my discretions to make up missed lecture tests within 2 days after
an absence. It is your responsibility to arrange a make-up time with me, not mine.
Attendance, Tardiness
Classes begin on time. Regular class attendance leads to your success. If you are more than 10 minutes
late for class, you will be marked tardy. Three tardies = 1 absence. This includes coming late after
break times, leaving early or disappearing during class or lab.
You will not be allowed more than 4 absences from class (including lab). This is HCC policy. If you
are absent more times, you can be dropped from this class. This will make F1 students “out of status”
and may cause you visa problems. Please email or call me if you are going to be absent. See the HCCS
Student Handbook.
Lab Requirements
One hour each week will be devoted to independent work in the computer lab. During this time, you will
use on-line programs designed to improve oral comprehension and pronunciation. If you are more than
10 minutes late, you will be marked tardy.
Behavior
Adult behavior is expected. Disruptive behavior that interferes with teaching or learning will not be
accepted, and may result in an administrative withdrawal from the class. Texting or your phone ringing
during class and interfering with my teaching and student learning is considered rude or impolite.
Cell phones
While you are in class, please turn OFF your phones, If your phone rings in class and disturbs me and
others, you give it to me. Please keep phone OFF your desk and in your bag. If you are expecting an
urgent call, talk to me before class about it.
Texting, using social networking sites, or other improper use of technology during class time or lab
time will count towards your absences (1 warning = 1 tardy; 3 tardies = 1 absence). Absences can add
up quickly and may cause you to be dropped from class after 4 absences.
Any iPads, lap tops or other electronic devices must be approved by me if you wish to use them
during class or lab.
Academic Dishonesty
Any form of copying, cheating, or plagiarism will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment and possible
dismissal from HCC. Cheating includes copying from another student during a test or giving another
student answers on a test. Plagiarism is copying from the internet or another text and saying it is your
own work. ALL ASSIGNMENTS must be written in the original words of the student and not copied from
anyone else or from another source. See the HCCS Student Handbook for further information.
3-Peat Rule
Students who enroll for most credit CEU classes for a third or more times will be charged an additional
$50 per semester credit hour and a $3.00 per contact hour.
16-WEEK COURSE CALENDAR
Week 1
Introduction
Syllabus
Get acquainted activities
Week 2
9/2 Labor Day Holiday- no class
Group activity –“Question Time”
Information about Oral Presentation #1
Week 3
Oral Presentation #1
Week 4
Unit 1 Names- Sociology
Unit 1 test on lecture
Week 5
Unit 2 Global English-Linguistics
Unit 2 test on lecture
Information about debate format for Presentation #2
Week 6
Group Oral Presentations-mini debate –Presentation #2
Week 7
Unit 3 Phobias – Psychology
Unit 3 test on lecture
Week 8
Unit 4 Owning a successful Restaurant- Culinary Arts
Unit 4 Test on lecture
Midterm Grade/Attendance Reports
Week 9
Oral Presentation #3
Week 10
Unit 8 Architecture of Frank Gehry
Unit 8 test on lecture
Week 11
Unit 10 Principles of Journalism-Media Studies
Unit 10 test on lecture
Information on Oral Presentation #4
Week 12
Oral Presentation #4
Week 13
Unit 12 Risk Management-Public Administration
Unit 12 test on lecture
Week 14
Documentary- “Happiness” DVD
Group discussions/conversation
Review for Final Examination
Week 15
Week 16
Final Examination
(The instructor may change this calendar if needed)
Important Dates and Holidays
Labor Day holiday
Official day of role
Last day for admin. Withdrawal
Thanksgiving
Final Exams
Sept. 2nd
Sept. 9th
Nov. 1st
Nov. 28th
Dec. 9-15
p.2
p. 12
p. 22
p. 32
p. 72
p. 92
p. 112