Intensive English Programs--- Syllabus
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Course Information
Course Title:
Intermediate Conversation
Course Number:
ESOL 0345
Faculty Information
Name:
Natalia Dovzak
Voicemail: 832-246-0000 ext. 5552219
CRN 52613
Semester:
Fall 2011
Office Hours:
Class Days and Times:
MW Aug 29-Dec.14
11:00am—1:20 pm
Class Location: Bissonnet
Room 177
after class by
appointment
Learning Web:
http//learning.hccs.edu/natalia.dovzak
Email address:natalia.dovzak@hccs.edu
3 hours lecture / 2 hours lab / 80 hours per semester/16 weeks
Instructional Materials
Q: Skills for Success, Listening and Speaking 1, Scanlon (Oxford University Press)
Prerequisites
A passing grade in ESOL 0341 or, for incoming students, placement exam cut-offs
Course Description
A continuation of ESOL 0341, this course places emphasis on idiomatic speech, everyday vocabulary
development, and listening comprehension.
Course Statement of Purpose
This course seeks to prepare students for ESOL 0349 and ultimately for college-level academic or
workforce study by advancing them from beginning to intermediate in the following English-language
skills:
• Listening comprehension
• Oral fluency
• Active vocabulary
• Pronunciation
Student Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate comprehension of a somewhat simplified spoken passage;
2. Demonstrate comprehension and use of level-appropriate vocabulary;
3. Demonstrate fluency in conversations and discussions with classmates on an assigned topic;
4. Produce reasonably accurate pronunciation of English words and sentences that is comprehensible to
those accustomed to interacting with non-native English speakers;
5. Produce a fairly brief, informative presentation that is comprehensible to those accustomed to dealing
with non-native English speakers.
Learning Objectives Leading to the Outcomes Above
1.1 Predict the direction that a speaker’s discourse will take;
1.2 Identify main ideas and details of the speaker’s discourse;
1.3 Infer conclusions about the speaker’s intended meaning.
2.1 Understand and use new vocabulary relevant to topics of discussion in class;
2.2 Understand and use American English idioms appropriate to topics of discussion.
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Intensive English Programs--- Syllabus
3.1 Practice expressing and comprehending a range of ideas and emotions on a given topic for
conversation;
3.2 Determine meaning by seeking clarification from others;
3.3 Differentiate student’s own opinions from those of other students, and analyze these differences.
4.1 Use appropriate word and sentence stress;
4.2 Produce accurate stress and intonation patterns to distinguish between statements and questions;
4.3 Use perceptible plural forms in speech;
4.4 Use common contractions and reductions in colloquial speech.
5.1 Produce a presentation of 3-5 minutes on a familiar topic pre-approved by the instructor.
Instructional Methods (related to Student
Learning Outcomes)
1a. classroom discussion;
1b. pair work;
1c. recorded conversations and exercises
3a. Modeling correct English pronunciation;
3b. Playing for students sample passages of spoken English to
imitate;
4a. Lecture (describing the elements of a successful presentation)
4b. Group work (for selecting topics and peer critique of topics)
2a. classroom discussion;
2b. pair work
Student Assignments
Individual Presentations
A paired Presentation
Recordings for fluency, accuracy, and
pronunciation
Listening Assignments (in the lab and homework)
Other speaking and listening activities in class
Assessments
Unit Quizzes
Presentations
Recordings
Unannounced quizzes
Dictations
Final examination
PROGRAM AND ESL DISCIPLINE REQUIREMENTS
Basic Requirements for ESOL 0345
Students in ESOL 0345 will have performed the following tasks at an appropriate skill level:
• Before listening to a recorded passage on a topic, demonstrate understanding of vocabulary and language
to be used in the passage.
• After listening to a recorded passage, demonstrate skills of (a) prediction, (b) comprehension of main
ideas, (c) comprehension of details, and (d) inference.
• Discuss everyday topics using grammar, pronunciation, and idiomatic expressions appropriate to the
Intermediate level.
• Make oral presentations including role plays, surveys, speeches, and experiments that require individual
and group preparation.
HCC Grading Scale
90-100% =A 80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
Below 70% = IP or F (not passing)
ESOL 0345 Grading Formula
Presentations 30%
Participation/Attendance 20%
Laboratory 10%
Listening Quizzes 20%
Final Examination 20%
100%
16-WEEK COURSE CALENDAR
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Intensive English Programs--- Syllabus
Week One
Introduction, orientation, diagnostics.
Unit 1: Do you like your name?
Week Nine
Unit 7: Why Is Music Important to You?
Information about Oral Presentation #3
Week Two
Unit 1.
Unit 2: How can you find a good job?
Week Ten
Continuation of Unit 7
Unit 8: When Is Honesty Important?
Week Three
Unit 3: Why do we study other cultures?
information about Presentation #1
Week Eleven
Continuation of Unit 8
Week Four
Unit 4: What makes a happy ending?
Presentation #1. Customs in a culture you know
well.
Week Five
Week Twelve
Unit 9: Is It Ever Too Late to Change?
Presentation #3
Week Thirteen
Continuation of Unit 9
Unit 4: What Makes a Happy Ending?
Information about Presentation #2
Week Six
Unit 5: What Is the Best Vacation?
Week Fourteen
Unit 10: When Is It Good to Be Afraid?
Week Seven
Continuation of Unit 5
Unit 6: Who Makes You Laugh?
Week Fifteen
Continuation of Unit 10
Review for final examination
Week Eight
Week Sixteen
Continuation of Unit 6
Final Examination
Presentation #2
Midterm Reports
(The instructor may change this calendar if needed)
Homework assignments are not listed on the schedule, but you should be prepared to complete them as they
arise throughout the semester. Remember that two to three hours of homework per each hour of class work
is a standard college requirement.
Assignments are due on the day listed. The schedule will be revised as the semester progresses. Changes
will be announced. You are responsible for keeping track of any changes and for completing assignments
on time whether or not you are in class on the day the work is assigned. It is your responsibility to find out
what you missed by contacting a classmate or the instructor.
Helpful Hints:
Bring your textbooks to every class.
If you do miss a class, you are responsible for getting the homework for the following class. Write down
the names and phone numbers of two people in the room so you can call them if necessary.
Classmates: Name ______________________ Phone________________________
Name________________________Phone________________________
SUCCESS: I will do everything in my power to help you succeed in this course, but you are in control of
your success and your future.
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