ESOL 0346
Advanced Intermediate Reading
Syllabus
Instructor: Sorie Gassama PhD
E-mail:sorie.gassama.@hccs.edu
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs.
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
0346 is an advanced intermediate course in reading English. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary building,
reading skills, and simple spelling. Instruction is individualized.
2. ESOL 0346 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
ESOL 0346, Advanced Intermediate Reading seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce
study by accomplishing the following objectives:
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Help students read more effectively in English by teaching them a variety of reading skills and strategies
which may include skimming, scanning, summarizing, finding the main idea and supporting details,
discovering word meanings (general as well as specific vocabulary words) through context clues, and
drawing conclusions;
Introduce students to a vocabulary of approximately 1,500-2,000 words, and help students increase their
vocabulary through knowledge and understanding of word forms, prefixes and suffixes, and synonyms
and antonyms.
expose students to a variety of reading resources which may include graded readers, computer
reading software, internet sites aimed at general reading/vocabulary development, as well as
intensive reading of authentic English text through periodicals and text books;
help students improve their critical thinking skills by analyzing various facets of their readings
including understanding the author’s purpose and how the rhetorical styles are used in relation to
this purpose.
3. COURSE OUTCOMES:
At the end of this course, the student should be able to do the following:
• read a variety of texts of lengths ranging from 500-1500 words, on subjects of general academic interes;
• read a short work of fiction or non-fiction outside of class and report on it to the class;
• continue to improve reading rate;
• continue to develop basic reading skills: previewing, skimming, scanning, summarizing, determining
meaning from context, drawing conclusions;
• show familiarity with different rhetorical modes (e.g. process description, comparison/contrast, definition,
cause/effect) and how they are realized in a text;
4. GRADE BREAKDOWN:
Your grade will be calculated as follows:
Quizzes/Tests 70%
Lab/Other
10%
Reading Project 20%
Total
100%
5. TEXTBOOKS:
You are required to buy the following textbooks for this course:
Issues for Today
Reading for Today Series, Book 3
Lorraine C. Smith
And
Nancy Nice Mare
6. Notice: Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. 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.
CLASS POLICIES
ATTENDANCE: HCCS has very strict attendance policies. If you miss 8 hours of class, you may be dropped
from this class. There are no excused absences. Speak to me if you know you must miss several classes
TARDINESS: It is not acceptable to be late to class. If you are more than 10 minutes late, it will count as an
absence. If you arrive late, quietly take your seat and get out your books. Explain after class.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students must act appropriately in class. Please do not use beepers or cell
phones in class. Students must always treat all students with respect. Since this is an English class, you should
try to speak English at all times. If sitting next to someone who speaks your language causes a problem in
class, I may change your seat.
MAKEUP TESTS / LATE HOMEWORK: Students may make up tests with a good excuse. Homework will
be accepted late only on the day the student returns from being absent.
ACADEMIC HONESTY / CHEATING: Any form of copying, cheating, or plagiarism will result in a zero(0)
for the assignment. This includes homework, tests, and book reports. See the HCCS Student Handbook for more
information.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: HCCS POLICIES Students with a learning or physical disability
which might affect their performance in class should contact the HCCS disabilities counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri
at 713-718-7909, FAX 713-718-7906
SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Sexual harassment in any form is not tolerated at HCCS. See the student
handbook for further information.
PROBLEMS: If you have a problem in class, please speak to me after class. I will make every effort to help
you. You may always see me during office hours for extra help. Additionally, you may email me .
ESOL 0342
COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTE: This schedule is approximate; The instructor may make changes to it if required to cover the required
material in the course.
Week
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Topics
Chapter One –A Cultural Difference: Being On Time
Chapter One –Reading Analysis Test
Chapter Two- Canging Lifestyles and New Eating Habits
Chapter 2; Test
Chapter 3- Technonogy Competes for Family Time
Chapter 3; Test
Chapter 4; Languages:Is it always spoken?
Chapter 4; Test
Chapter 5;Loneliness: How Can We Overcome It?
Chapter 5; Test
Chapter 6; The Importance of Grandmothers
Chapter 6; Test
Chapter 6 Arts and Entertainment
Chapter 7; Innocent Until Proven Guilty: The Criminal Court
System
Chapter 7; Test Reading Project Due
Chapter 8; The Reliability of Eyewitnesses
16.
Chapter 8; Test
Chapter 9; Solving Crimes With Modern Technology
Chapter9; Test
Chapter 10; Ancient Artifacts and Ancient Air
Chapter 10; Test