Seattle Central College
ESL 097, College Prep Writing for Non-native Speakers I
Winter, 2015
Classroom: 4134
Dates: Jan 5-March 20
Days: M-F
Time: 8:00-8:50
Holidays: Jan 19, Feb 16
Teacher: Chris Conley
Office: 3105
Telephone: 206-934-6347
Email: chris.conley@seattlecolleges.edu
Website:
seattlecentral.edu/faculty/cconley/home.html
Office Hours: Tu, Wed, Th 11:00-12:00
Course Description and Purpose:
The purpose of ESL 097 is for non-native speakers of English to improve writing skills so that you may compete
equally in all college courses, including ESL 099 and then English 101.
We will discuss and practice the process of writing including pre-writing, drafting, editing, presenting, and
reading your final draft. . We will also cover the basics of writing paragraphs, which include topic sentences,
support, and conclusions. We will study grammar points as needed but might include punctuation, noun and
adjective clauses, complex and compound sentences, conjunctions, subject-verb agreement, and conditionals.
We will also begin to learn about making citations and bibliographies.
Educational Philosophy:
I believe that learning takes place by working on one’s own and by working in groups. Every one’s a teacher
and learner. Every person has unique life experiences and can teach other people about these experiences.
Therefore, you will be asked to use your life experiences and take on the role of teacher for you classmates, for
example in peer editing. I view my role as a facilitator in building your groups and assisting in your learning. I
will expect you to participate in class by completing your readings and assignments on time and taking part in
discussions.
Learning Objectives:
1. To clearly express ideas in a paragraph with topic sentence, support and conclusion.
2. To use and value writing process of prewriting, drafting and self and peer editing.
3. Accurately use grammar and punctuation in a variety of sentence structures.
4. Research materials from a variety of sources to support a paragraph, use citations and make works cited.
5. To build a stronger vocabulary.
6. Work in with others to accomplish tasks.
7. To take responsibility for your own learning.
Required texts and materials
 Hogue, Ann and Alice Oshima. Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays. White Plains:
Pearson, 2014. 4rd Edition.
 Folder, a lined composition notebook, paper, pencils, sharpener, eraser
 A dictionary, either paper or electronic
 Canvas account
School closures
If the weather is very bad and snow is expected, please do one of the following:
 Check the Seattle Central website: www.seattlecentral.edu or Check www.schoolreport.org — click
on the “college” tab at the left and then on Seattle Central Community College. Or call SCCC at 206934-5464.
Seattle Central College
ESL 097, College Prep Writing for Non-native Speakers I
Winter, 2015
SCC Grading System
Seattle Colleges use the following numerical grading system:
4.0-3.9
3.8-3.5
3.4-3.2
3.1-2.9
2.8-2.5
2.4-2.2
A 100-96%
A- 95-90%
B+ 89-86%
B 85-83%
B- 82-80%
C+ 79-76%
2.1-1.9
1.8-1.5
1.4-1.2
1.1-1.0
0.0
C
CD+
D
E
75-73%
72-70%
69-66%
65-64%
63-0%
Evaluation and Course Requirements
Paragraph Assignments: 50%
You will turn in weekly paragraphs. Some assignments will be done in class but many will be done at home and
will need to be typed. Paragraphs are about 15-20 sentences.
Tests/Quizzes: 20%
These might be of writing elements or grammar.
Homework/Independent Learning/Participation: 20%
You are expected to be on time, attend class and be ready for class by completing homework and
assignments on time. Group and pair work is an important part of our class. Please talk, listen and use your
group wisely. This means that you come to class everyday, complete homework on time, have read the material
before discussions, and participate in discussions and group work. If you are absent, late or not prepared, your
grade will suffer because you can not participate in class.
Portfolio: 10%
At the end of the quarter, you will put together a learning portfolio that reflects what you achieved or
learned during this quarter. This is an opportunity to revisit and reflect what we did all quarter.
Miscellaneous
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You will need a 2.5 (80%) to complete this course and to go on to other college level classes. If you score
below 2.4, you need to repeat this class.
If you are absent on a test/quiz, you must make it up the first day you are back. After that, it becomes a “0.”
Homework must be turned in on by noon the day it is due. After noon, it becomes a “0.”
If you are going to be absent, email or call me.
Copying and plagiarism of any kind whether it is each other’s work or from the internet, is unacceptable. If
you are caught copying or plagiarizing once, you will get a “0” for the work and warning not to do it again.
The second time, you will reported to the school according to the Washington State rules found in the SCCC
Student Handbook on page 40.
Please turn off your cell phones ringer at the beginning of class.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Students with documented disabilities requesting class accommodations, requiring special arrangements in case
of building evacuation, or have emergency medical information the instructor should know about are asked to
contact the disability support services office (DSS) in Rm. 1112. Once the disability is verified with DSS you
will be given a letter of accommodation to be handed to your instructor.