ESL 14A: Pronunciation and Spelling
Section 2110: 3:45-5:05, ESL 125
Fall 2007
Instructor: Dr. Elena Garate
Office: LV 105
Email: garate_elena@smc.edu
Office phone: (310) 434-4354
Office hours: M & W 2:30 – 3:30 pm, T TH 2:00 – 3:00 pm, and by appointment
Virtual anytime at garate_elena@smc.edu
Course Materials
1. Accurate English, by Rebecca Dauer. You must buy the book. The audiotapes are
optional.
2. Your class recordings will be done on internet software called WIMBA. Log onto my website at
http://homepage.smc.edu/garate_elena to see if you can access WIMBA and do the introductory
exercise. *If you have your own computer at home or have access to a personal computer, you will
need to have JAVA installed to be able to download WIMBA. If you have JAVA and speakers, all
you will need to buy is a microphone. The microphone can be purchased at BEST BUY,
CIRCUIT CITY, TARGET, or even STAPLES, and drug stores like SAV-ON. (*If you have a laptop,
you may need to buy a USB microphone or headset. ALSO, if you have a MAC, only the newer
operational systems, OS10, will support WIMBA.) If you do not have access to a computer with
JAVA, you will be able to record in the English or Modern Language Lab in Drescher Hall. The
room no. and hours will be given in class. If you record in the lab, you will need to buy a
headset, with earphones and a microphone. The headset can now be bought in the bookstore.
.You need to buy either the Sony PC Headset, Hands Free, Model #DR-115DP, approximate
price $15.00 or Koss PC Headset, Hands Free, Model #CS95, approximate price $16.00.
Class Objectives
1. To learn primarily about the vowel and consonant sounds of American English.
2. To improve your auditory skills, and therefore, your comprehension of spoken English.
3. To improve your spelling as you learn about the correct pronunciation of vowels and
consonants.
4. To build confidence in conversing in English.
Course Description
Prerequisite: ESL 10
This course offers the study and practice of the vowel and consonant sounds that are basic to North
American pronunciation and speech style, and it emphasizes listening skills and auditory discrimination of
these sounds. It also introduces the spelling patterns in relationship to the vowel and consonant sounds.
This course is appropriate for students at the 11A level or higher.
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This class is not appropriate for beginning ESL students with limited English skills.
Students must have passed ESL 10.
All students taking this class need time to practice pronunciation outside of class every
day. Plan to set aside 15-20 minutes a day to practice pronunciation!
In-class Regulations
Food and drinks are not allowed in the classroom. All pagers and cell phones must be turned off
during class meetings.
Attendance and Participation
Class begins promptly at 3:45pm. If you are more than 15 minutes late or leave 15 minutes early,
you will be marked absent. Allow extra time for parking. Promptness, regular attendance, and
active participation are expected.
Students who are absent more than three (3) times will be dropped. If you miss a class, be sure to
contact another student to find out what you missed and what you need to do for the next class.
Do not ask the instructor about missed assignments. You are responsible for talking to a
classmate to find out what was assigned in class.
Graded Course Assignments:
Item
Number of items
Exams
Spelling Quiz
WIMBA assignments
Movie Clip Presentation
Final Exam
Percentage of final grades
2
1
4
1
1
55%
10%
20%
5%
10%
Final Grade
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
0-59% = F
Communication with the instructor:
The best way to contact the instructor is in person after class, at my office hours or via email.
Telephone calls generally cannot be returned as easily or quickly as email. Virtual office hours on
email are available anytime; I will respond to you as soon as possible and within 24 hours at the
latest. If you have any questions or concerns, please see the instructor as soon as possible.
Tutoring & Support Services:
1. Free tutoring is available in the ESL Center; sign up ONLINE by going to
http://www.smc.edu/esl/; click on Tutoring & Workshops.
2. Students may use computers for recording assignments in Drescher Hall 203 & 204, and
for general purposes in the Library, the Cayton Center, the library, the Science Building.
3. Academic counselors can be reached in the International Student Center (434-4217) and
in Counseling (434-4210 or 434-4589).
4. Psychological counselors can be reached at 434-4262 or at the Student Health office.
ESL 14A SYLLABUS,
Course # 2110: T/TH 3:45-5:05, ESL 125
FALL ‘07
Please note: Information on the syllabus is subject to change at the discretion
of the instructor.
Textbooks: Accurate English (AE), by Rebecca Dauer.
Week/Date
1/Aug 28-30
Course Activities and Assignments
Introduction to the course
The Basics of North American Pronunciation – “Pronunciation for
Success” Video
The phonetic alphabet, AE, Chpt 2
AE, Chpt 3, Vowel Overview
2/Sept 4-6
Review the phonetic alphabet
AE, Chpt 3, Vowel Overview
Vowels in Detail, pgs 30-34
Finish Vowels in Detail, pgs 30-34
Vowels in Detail, pgs. 35-39
Finish Vowels in Detail, pgs. 35-39
Vowels in Detail, pgs. 39-42
HW: WIMBA assignment #1 of AE, pgs. 34-E & 39-F
Finish Vowels in Detail, pgs. 39-42
Vowels in Detail, pgs. 43-46
Vowels in Detail, pgs. 47-52
HW: WIMBA assignment #2 of AE, pgs. 42-F & 52-H
Complete exercises on pgs. 53-56F (do them in your book) and
review Chpts 13-15 for Test #1 on 10/15
Review pgs 53-56
Prepare for Exam 1, AE Chpts 1-5
3/Sept 11-13
4/Sept 18-20
5/Sept 25-27
6/Oct 2-4
7/Oct 9-11
8/Oct 16-18
Exam #1 Vowels
AE, Chpt 13, pg 133, Differences between voiced/voiceless
consonants
AE, Chpt 15, Consonants in Detail, pgs. 164-66 (s/z)
9/Oct 23-25
s/z/Iz final <s> endings
--AE, pgs. 169-175 (th, t, d)
10/Oct 30-Nov 1
AE, pgs. 192-198 (f, v, w, p, b)
11/Nov 6-8
AE, pgs. 201-209 (l,r,n)
--AE, pgs. 209-213 (m, n)
AE, pgs. 176-183 (sh, ch, dz, y)
--AE, pgs. 184-192 (zh and review of sh, ch, dz)
HW: WIMBA assignment #3 of AE pgs. 186-A & 188-G
Thursday, November 22 - Thanksgiving Day
AE, pgs. 184-192 (review of zh, sh, ch, dz)
Review consonants
Prepare for Exam 2: Chpts 13-15, pgs. 164-211
Exam 2: Consonants
Introduce movie excerpts
--AE, Chpt 2, pgs. 147-152 (“ed” endings)
HW: WIMBA assignment #4 of “ed” endings, AE p. 152
Practice movie presentations
“ed” endings
Stress, AE, pgs 73-82
12/Nov 13-15
13/Nov 20
No Class Nov 22
14/Nov 27-29
15/Dec 4-6
16/Dec 11
Friday, Dec 14
3:30-6:30pm
LAST CLASS: Give movie presentations
Review for final
FINAL: “ed” endings and production of all sounds
Santa Monica College Code of Academic Conduct
Santa Monica College cannot and will not tolerate academic dishonesty.
Definition and Examples of Academic Dishonesty:
SMC defines academic dishonesty as the act of or assistance in deceiving in any
academic exercise. This includes:
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Copying or allowing another student to copy from one’s paper or answer
sheet during a quiz or an examination.
Giving and/or taking information during an examination by any means
Representing the words, ideas or work of another as one’s own in any
academic exercise (plagiarism), including the use of commercial term
paper companies.
Responsibility of SMC Students:
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To conduct him/herself in a manner which encourages learning and
prohibits academic dishonesty.
To act with fairness towards other students in the classroom.
Consequences for Infractions of Academic Dishonesty:
Given an alleged violation of academic honesty, any or all of the following actions
may be imposed:
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The instructor may assign a failing grade to the examination or
assignment in which the alleged cheating or plagiarism occurred.
In more serious instances, the instructor may assign a failing grade for the
course, upon consultation with the department chairperson.
The instructor may dismiss the student from the class or activity for the
present and/or following class session.
What does this mean?
Do not copy someone else’s quiz, or exam.
Do not allow someone to copy your quiz, or exam.
Do not ask someone else for answers during a quiz or exam.
Do not give someone answers during a quiz or exam.
Do not present someone else’s work, or that from a textbook or article, as
your own.
6. Do not pretend that work done outside class was done in class.
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