ESL and FL Department
Main Office 1415
Phone (305) 237-8750
Chairperson: Maria W. Jofre
Hialeah Campus
Syllabus
EAP 0420 - Reading Level 4
Reference # 529692 [MWF: 10:00-10:50AM]
Reference #
529691 [T/R: 8:25-9:40AM]
Semester:
Fall 2009-1
Instructor:
Maria Vargas-O’Neel
Email: mvargas@mdc.edu
Office Hours : TBA
Office:
Phone:
Mailbox:
1415-9
(305) 237-8757
Room 1415 (#18)
Academic calendar: http://www.mdc.edu/academic_calendar/
Important dates this semester:
Last day to drop with a “W”:
Last day of class:
Final Exam week:
Tuesday November 3rd, 2009
Friday, December 11th, 2009
December 14th-18th, 2009
Miami Dade College General Education Outcomes
As graduates of Miami-Dade College, students will be able to use the following Learning
Outcomes:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global, and social
responsibilities.
Student code of conduct: The college policy on the Student Code of Conduct is
located at http://www.mdc.edu/pdf/procedures/4071.pdf. Please familiarize
yourself with it.
Academic dishonesty: The department affirms its commitment to treat cases of
academic dishonesty according to Miami-Dade Community College Procedure No.
4074. Students are forewarned that academic dishonesty in any form will be
penalized according to this procedure. The instructor has the option to award a
grade of “F” for the course. Cheating or any form of academic dishonesty may also
result in the student’s being placed on academic probation, suspended from school,
or dismissed from the College. The College policy for dealing with Academic
Dishonesty is located at http://www.mdc.edu/pdf/procedures/4074.pdf
Course Drop: It is your responsibility to drop this class within the time available. The
College academic calendar is available at
http://www.mdc.edu/academic_calendar/
Course Description: EAP 1421 – Reading Level 4 - (3 credits) is an intermediate II
college-level course designed to develop the student’s ability to
read text on contemporary and literary topics with an emphasis
on extensive reading and the enhancement of critical reading
skills. Prerequisites: EAP 0320 or equivalent proficiency. Co
requisite: None.
Course Competencies:

Competency 1: The student will read a variety of texts of
varying lengths on contemporary and literary
topics with some fluency and speed
emphasizing vocabulary expansion.

Competency 2: The student will distinguish between main
ideas and supporting details in simplified texts
and/or authentic texts at high intermediate
level.

Competency 3: The student will use a variety of textual clues,
e.g., sentence connectors, signal words, and
pronoun reference to understand and discuss
the meaning and structure (i.e., patterns of
organization) of a text.
Competency 4: The student will enhance the ability to apply
the following critical thinking skills when
reading:

a. Understand the meaning of new vocabulary through:
1)
Context clues, e.g., synonyms, antonyms, examples,
definitions,
and restatements, etc.
2)
Roots and affixes.
b. Analyze text, e.g., simple outlining and note taking,
summarize, draw conclusions, apply information to personal
experiences.
c. Recognize facts and opinions.

Competency 5: The student will identify common cultural
references.
Required Materials:
1.
Textbooks:
a.
Langan, J. (2005). Ten Steps to Building College
Reading Skills. West Berlin, NJ: Townsend Press.
b.
Sherrie L. N. & Mohr, C. (2002). Building
Vocabulary Skills. Boston West Berlin, NJ:
Townsend Press.
2.
Scantron Form NO. 882-E – color: green – quantity:
12 packets
3.
An English-English dictionary (Recommendation:
Longman Dictionary of American English)
Attendance Policy:
You should come to every class in order to obtain the
most complete educational experience. Participation in
this class is only possible if you attend class.
Absences:
Students may be absent from one class with no penalties.
Students who are absent two (2) times will see their final
grade lowered by one letter grade. Students who are
absent three (3) times will see their final grade lowered
by two letter grades. Students who are absent three (3)
consecutive days will be asked to drop the class, or the
instructor will drop them or assign a grade of “F”.
Tardiness:
If you are late, please enter quietly and join in the class
activities. For every three (3) times that you arrive late or
depart early, this will count as one absence. Exceptions
may be made if you provide documentation which
demonstrates that you had a serious illness, injury, or
court appearance.
Information about Grades:
1.
Grading Scale
A
=
B
=
C
=
D
=
100 – 90
89 – 80
79 – 70
69 – 60
F
=
below 60
2.
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Reading Comprehension quizzes
Vocabulary quizzes
(20%) – Final (10%)
In-class Final
40%
30%
30%
3.
The grade of “C” is the lowest passing grade. In other words, “D” is not a
passing grade.
4.
In order to pass the class, you must pass the final exam with at least 70%.
5.
You cannot take the final exam early. Make-ups for the exam are given only
with an official excuse.
CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE: Please…
1.
Be prompt.
2.
Be ready.
3.
Speak English in class. For some students, class is the only place they practice
speaking English.
4.
Respect each other. Listen while other students are talking. Turn off cell
phones, beepers, etc. Put them on vibrate or silent mode.
5.
Participate in class. Ask questions; volunteer to answer questions, etc.
Other Important Information to Help you Succeed:
1.
If you want to succeed in this course, you must review and study on your own
in addition to doing your homework.
2.
Please communicate with me! I invite you to come and see me during office
hours - if you need some help or just want to talk to me. If you are not free
during my office hours, you can make an appointment to see me at another
time. I am always available.
3.
The more energy you put into the course, the more you will learn.
4.
If you are having a problem that is affecting your performance or your
attendance, it would be helpful for me to know about it.
The following course syllabus is tentative. We will attempt to follow the schedule.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule may change.
WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION
Syllabus; Course Requirements; Introduction
WEEKS 2-13
READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS
Vocabulary in Context
Quiz # 1 – Vocabulary in Context
Introduce Main Ideas
Quiz # 2 – Main Ideas
Quiz # 3 – Main Ideas
Introduce Supporting Details
Quiz # 4 – Supporting Details
Introduce Locations of Main Ideas
Quiz # 5 – Locations of Main Ideas
Introduce Relationships I
Quiz # 6 – Relationships I
Introduce Relationships II
Quiz # 7 – Relationships II
Introduce Inferences
Quiz # 8 – Inferences
Inferences (continued)
Quiz # 9 – Inferences
Introduce Implied Main Ideas
Quiz # 9 – Implied Main Ideas
Introduce The Basics of Argument
Quiz # 9 – The Basics of Argument
WEEKS 14
THINKING SKILLS
How to Think in English
WEEK 15
REVIEW & IN-CLASS FINAL
Review
In-Class Final Exam
*NOTE:

You are responsible for reading every assigned chapter and completing the
corresponding exercises.

You are also responsible for completing every weekly assigned Vocabulary
Handout. There is a vocabulary quiz every week or every other week,
depending on the material covered.