English as a Second Language
Central College
ESOL 0343 – Level I Writing (Beginning Writing)
CRN: 37585- Spring 2013
Central Campus – Room: BSCC 304 | Time: T/TH 9:00 -11:30 AM
3 hour lecture course and 2 Lab hours / 80 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Sara Llansa
Instructor Contact Information: Sara.Llansa@hccs.edu
Office location and hours: FAC 310 by appointment
I will be more than happy to meet with students as needed. Please contact me by e-mail if you have
any questions or concerns about the class, and we will set up a meeting.
Course Description
A course devoted to expanding vocabulary, developing pronunciation skills, and writing simple
English sentences.
Prerequisites
A satisfactory score on the CELSA.
Course Goal
ESOL 0343, Beginning Writing, seeks to prepare students for continuation into ESOL 0347 and
ultimately for college level academic or workforce study by accomplishing the following objectives:
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Introducing students to Basic English rules of capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph
format.
Introducing students to various common sentence patterns, from simple sentences to the
basics of co-ordination and subordination.
Most importantly, building basic knowledge of paragraph organization with emphasis on
developing topic sentences, support, concluding sentences and the use of basic transitions.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Know the basic mechanics of simple English sentences;
2. Select the verb forms needed for producing simple sentences with a basic vocabulary;
3. Produce a variety of simple, compound and complex sentences;
4. Carry out a basic writing process to produce a short, correctly-formatted, meaningful paragraph.
Learning objectives
Students will:
1a. Know the rules for capitalization at the beginning of sentences and proper nouns;
1b. Know the basic end punctuation for sentences, as well as basic rules for internal punctuation
especially the use of commas;
1c. Spell the basic vocabulary words that are used in beginning writing.
2a. Select the verb form needed to produce the simple present and past tenses;
2b. Select the verb form needed to produce the present and past progressive tenses;
2c. Select the verb form needed to use simple modal verbs.
3a. Produce grammatically correct simple sentences;
3b. Use conjunctions "and," "but" and "so" to produce grammatically correct compound sentences;
3c. Use subordinating conjunctions "when," "while," "before," "after," and "because" to produce
grammatically correct complex sentences.
4a. Use brainstorming to create ideas to support a simple thesis on a predetermined topic;
4b. Write a paragraph of 80-125 words with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding
sentence;
4c. Rewrite a paragraph whose errors have been marked
ESOL 0343, Beginning Writing
Course Calendar
(This calendar may change to meet the needs of the class.)
Important Dates:
Jan.13
Last day to add/drop/swap a class
Feb. 18
Presidents’ Day (No HCCS Classes)
Mar. 11-17
Spring Break (No HCCS Classes)
Apr. 1
Last day for administrative/student withdrawals
May 7
Final Exam
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
1st day testing and course introduction
Chapter 1: Hello!
Chapter 2: Our World
Chapter 3: My Favorite Restaurant
Chapter 3: My Favorite Restaurant
Chapter 4: Are you Ready for the Test?
In-class composition #1
Chapter 5: Independence Day
Chapter 6: Shopping
Chapter 6: Shopping
Chapter 7: A Busy Life
Chapter 8: Earth Day
Chapter 8: Earth Day
In-class composition #2
Chapter 9: A Travel Agent
Chapter 10: Computers
Chapter 11: International Travel
Chapter 12: The Lazy Donkey
In-class composition #3
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Chapter 13: The San Francisco Earthquake
Chapter 14: Life in the Future
Chapter 15: Texas
In-class composition #4
Chapter 16: The Penguin
Chapter 17: The Life Cycle of the Butterfly
Chapter 18: Alexander Graham Bell
In-class composition #5
Final Exam
Basic Requirements for ESOL 0343
Students in ESOL 0343 will:
 write 5 in-class composition paragraphs.
 revise first drafts of paragraphs
 write a final composition
Students are required to revise and rewrite their in-class paragraphs (excluding the midterm and final
paragraphs). It is up to the teacher whether to use the original draft or rewrite as the basis for the
grade of each paragraphs, but teachers should offer sufficient incentive to encourage students to
take the revision process seriously.
Students should also be required to keep a weekly journal which will be inspected regularly by
teachers. How this journal is assessed will be up to the teacher, but teachers are generally not
expected to correct and grade each entry. Teachers should, however, give some form of appropriate
feedback for each entry
College Grading System
Students in ESOL 0343 may receive a letter grade of A, B, C, IP or F. IP means "in progress." This
is not a failing grade, but it is given to students who complete the course but who are not yet ready
for the next level. Anyone who receives an IP must take ESOL 0343 again. However, if a student
has already received an IP in this course during a previous semester, that student will receive a letter
grade: A, B, C, or F this semester.
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 70-79
IP/F= 0-59
ESOL 0343 Grading Formula
In-class compositions
Journals
Homework, Quizzes, Dictations
Lab
Final
60%
10%
10%
5%
15%
100%
Instructional Materials
Write on Target, Joe Starr (McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition)
HCC Policy Statement – ADA:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services Office in
Room 102 Learning Hub, or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements at the beginning
of each semester. Your instructor is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by
the office of Ability Support Services.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been
learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The instructor is
responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all
students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading,
and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic
Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading
ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with
honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may
be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
“Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;
 Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in
the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal
from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statement: Class Attendance
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed
in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is
attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to
attend all lectures regularly. You are responsible for materials covered during your absence. First of
all, you should e-mail me before class that you intend to be absent and should e-mail me after the
class to find out what you need to do to catch up the material that you missed. Class attendance is
checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor
has the authority to drop you for excessive absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours (10 hours) of instruction (F-1 students should
particularly take note of this so as not to affect your visa status). The ten hours of class time would
include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness (being late twice or, leaving early is
counted as an absence). Remember: Class attendance equals class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from it prior to the final
date of withdrawal (November 18th, 2010). Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the
time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may
be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course. Your
success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first
time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational
career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert
process by which your professor can “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class
because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility to visit
with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available
to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and
improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact an HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR to
the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. If you do not withdraw before the
deadline, you will receive an F or an IP (see below) as your final grade.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes.
To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to
pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses
and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the
third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not
earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study
habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and
opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful
of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow students and
instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices
in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms,
laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs.
Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should
contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable
accommodations
Classroom Policies
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this responsibility very
seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to
carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your
classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
To this end All cell phones, pagers, IPods, or any other electronic devices that may cause a distraction in
class must be silenced. No laptops or tablets are permitted to be used during class. You may use an electronic
dictionary (stand alone) with the sound turned off. You are not permitted to leave class to answer or return
calls unless an absolute emergency; doing so will be counted as a tardy. If a student is using a cell phone at
any time during the class period, I will remind the student about the policy once. After that, I will ask the
student to leave class and mark him or her absent.
Students are expected to arrive to class on time with ALL THEIR MATERIALS INCLUDING
THE TEXT BOOKS. Returning late from a break or leaving class early counts as being tardy.
Being tardy twice will equal one absence (whether ten minutes or one hour). If you miss 10 hours of
class, you can be dropped without notification and will, therefore, be out of compliance if you are an
F-1 student. If a student misses a class, it is his or her responsibility to see the instructor about the
work that was missed.
Course Work
The course calendar lists all of the assignments that will be done. While doing all the homework and
attending class is not a complete guarantee of success, it is certainly true that not doing it is a guarantee of
failure.
Make-up Policy: If you must be absent on the day of a test, it is your responsibility to notify me
(the instructor) as soon as possible by sending me an e-mail (Sara.Llansa@hccs.edu). Normally, a
make- up exam is done on the day you return to class, but please note that any make-up exam is at
the convenience of the teacher. This may mean coming in on a Friday.