ESL 420: ESL Grammar and Writing Level 1-Summer 2011
Section 8711 (C-151)
M –Th 10:30 -2:15
Instructor: Mary-Erin Crook
Office: C252-K Telephone: (626) 585-7387
Mailbox in C247
E-mail: mecrook@pasadena.edu
Recommended: Enrollment in ESL 460 and 456, Longman Dictionary of American English
Required Materials:
Basic English Grammar Vol A 3rd Ed. by Azar
Oxford Picture Dictionary by Shapiro
The Railway Children Nesbit (Oxford Bookworms)
81/2 by 11 in. paper, a stapler, blue or black ink pen, white-out,
a three-ring binder, and a large blue book for journal entries (in bookstore)
Objectives: This class provides practice in English sentence structure to prepare students for collegelevel work. Students will write paragraphs using correct punctuation, spelling, and capitalization and
will practice reading and understanding short texts. Students will also improve how they use English
grammar, especially parts of speech, present continuous and simple tenses, subject/verb agreement,
count/noncount nouns, word order, and questions.
Student Learning Outcomes
Reading: Students will be able to identify the main idea and factual information in a level-appropriate text.
Writing: Using process techniques, students will be able to write a basic paragraph developing a single idea with a clear
beginning, middle, and end.
Information Competency: Students will be able to find information in the schedule of classes and other college materials.
Language: Students will use correct grammar and vocabulary for this level.
Requirements:
1. Students must keep a notebook containing all class materials and bring it to class daily.
2. Students must keep a journal in a blue book. The instructor will assign the topics.
3. Students will spend three to six hours daily on homework. Homework must be completed before
class begins. Late homework will only be accepted only when instructor permits in advance. Late
assignments will be lowered by one grade per day. If you are unprepared, you may be asked to
leave and marked absent.
4. All students must spend at least three hours per week in the LAC (D300) or ESL Center (D305)
working on materials from an approved list. Students must spend a total of at least 18 hours for the
summer session.
5. Regular and punctual attendance is necessary. Anyone absent more than 3 days will be dropped.
Two tardies equal one absence. If you are absent in the first week, you will be dropped.
6. Students are responsible for contacting another student to find out work missed due to absence.
Name
Phone #
Email
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
7. If you miss a test or paragraph, contact me (phone, email, note, in-person) and make it up the next
day before or after class.
8. Anyone caught cheating or allowing copying on a test or paragraph will immediately be given an F
on that assignment. Anyone caught cheating twice can be dropped from the class.
9. For a grade of C or better, students must read and write well enough to enter ESL 422 with a
reasonable chance of success. Students must have a C average for both in-class paragraphs and
grammar tests.
10. Students must be respectful of the instructor and classmates, or they will be asked to leave and
marked absent. This includes use of cell phones and electronic dictionaries, not speaking
English, loud or rude behavior, sleeping in class or not participating. If your cell phone rings or
you speak your native language in class, you can choose to write a 100 word paragraph or bring
snacks for the whole class!
Grading:
70% - Paragraphs and Journal
20% - Grammar, Reading, and Vocabulary Tests
10% - Homework, Participation and LAC
Holidays and Important Dates
Monday, July 4th
Wednesday, August 3rd
Thursday, August 4th
Campus Closed
Final Paragraph
Last Day, Final Grammar Test