Pasadena City College
Spring 2010
ESL 122 Grammar and Writing lll (4 Units) (+ 16 LAC hours)
Section 4584
T & Th
3:40 PM -6:10 PM
Location:
C-158
Instructor: Ms.
Valdez
retirecv@verizon.net
Mailbox: Languages
Division office, C-247
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
ESL 122 is a third level grammar and writing course designed for students who are at the high
intermediate level of English. The course focuses on grammar, controlled composition, and reading.
Students study increasingly complex grammatical structures and incorporate these structures into essays
(approximately 250 - 300 words.) Students will improve their reading comprehension (both fiction and
non-fiction) and will develop writing skills such as the organization and development of a topic with unity
and coherence. As well, students will use common transition markers for time and sequence.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Rethinking America 2 by Sokolik (ISBN 083844741-4)
Writing Matters by McClelland & Marcotte (ISBN 0-07-255279-4)
Basic Newbury House Dictionary 2nd edition (ISBN 0-8384-2656-5
Required Supplies
*
3-ring notebook with 5 dividers
*
Standard size white lined notebook paper (8 ½ x 11 in.).
*
Small stapler, white-out, Blue or black ink pens, yellow & green highlighters
*
Blue Book (book store)
GRADING (In order to pass this class, you must get a grade of C or better.) Grades will be computed on a
point basis. Assignments will have a value of 10 points each. Scores for quiz questions will be based on total points
computed to a value of 10. The breakdown of points for the class is:
50%
In-class writings. Quiz grades will be averaged together and will count as one writing assignment grade. Final Writing
Assignment carries a double weight.
10%
Grammar, Exams. Quiz grades will be averaged together and will count as one grammar assignment grade.
Final Grammar Exam carries a double-weight.
5%
10%
Vocabulary/Spelling Exams
Homework
5%
Journal (Blue Book)
5%
5%
5%
5%
Class Participation
Attendance
Paragraph Re-writes
LAC & LAC Log
100% Total
A Excellent
9-10 points
B
Very Good
8 points
C
Satisfactory
7 points
D Unsatisfactory 6 points
F Fail 5 -0 points
Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Students will be able to identify the main and supporting ideas of a level-appropriate text.
Using process techniques, students will be able to write a composition developing a single idea with good organization
and appropriate support.
Students will be able to locate appropriate reference sources using the library and internet.
Students will use correct grammar, appropriate vocabulary, and a variety of sentence structures to communicate ideas
effectively.
Students will demonstrate awareness of themselves as responsible, self-directed language learners through class
participation and self-assessment.
Class Policies:
#1
The PCC portal will have our syllabus and all weekly homework, and handouts. To access
the portal go http://www.pasadena.edu/. Type Christina Valdez in the people directories box in the
upper right corner of the homepage. Hit enter.
#2
All students must keep a notebook/portfolio containing all materials for the class and bring it,
along with your textbooks to class daily. The notebook should have 5 dividers with the following
titles Writing Assignments; Re-Writes & Quizzes; Spelling/Vocabulary Words;
Homework Assignments, & Handouts.
#3
There are no make-up In –class writings or Grammar exams. If you are absent on the day that a
in-class writing, or grammar test is given, you will receive a zero grade. However, if you were
absent because of a serious emergency or illness and I know in advance, I may consider allowing
you to make-up the test. The decision will be made on an individual basis. Late homework will
lower grade.
#4
Attendance: PCC policy allows you to have a maximum of 10 hours of unexplained absence.
This is about 4 classes. If you have more than 10 hours of absence you will not
pass the class. I will take attendance at the beginning of class and after break. If you are 5-15
minutes late for class, you will be marked as tardy; three tardies equals one hour of absence. If
you are more than 15 minutes late for class, you will be marked as absent for at least one hour.
Only documented absences such as emergencies or illnesses will be excused. Other appointments such as
doctors/dentists, DMV, or counselors should be made outside of class time. . If you are late, enter the
class quietly and notify the instructor at the break or after class. An absence must be changed to
tardy on the same day, or it will remain an absence
#5
Class Participation/ Note taking: All students are expected to actively take notes and
participate in class discussions as well as group work.
#6
Students should be back in their seats within the break-time allowed.
#7
You must go to the Language Assistance Center (LAC) in D300 for a total of 16 hours this
#8
semester. No partial credit will be given for incomplete hours.
Help on assignments: You are expected to do all your own work for this class, like all
college classes. Students often request help from tutors, family, friends, and others, and I
encourage you to get appropriate help. However, when another person writes part or all of an
assignment for you, corrects an essay or paragraph, or tells you what words to use or how to
correct many grammatical structures, you have received inappropriate help. This is known as
plagiarism, and it is a serious offence at this college. If you receive inappropriate help on an essay
or an assignment, you will receive an F on that assignment.. If you are not sure if the help you are
getting is appropriate, please discuss it with your instructor. Other examples of plagiarism
include copying sentences, paragraphs, or other written information from the Internet or other
sources and presenting it as your own work, without telling where it came from. When you get
information from the internet list the internet citation example: < http: //www.mla.org> The
consequences for any form of plagiarism are the same.
#9
Students must be respectful of the instructor and classmates, or they will be asked to
leave and marked absent. Students must have their own required books. Only enrolled
students may be present in this class.
#10
Drinks are acceptable as long as garbage is put in its place. If this privilege is abused, it will be
revoked. No eating is allowed during class time.
#11
Cell Phones--Always turn cell phones off before class begins. If a cell phone rings during
class time, you will be given extra homework. If it rings during a test, your test will be
taken away.
#12
Students are responsible for work missed due to absence and should check with other students
for changes in schedule. You should exchange phone numbers with several classmates in order
to get any assignments.
Names of Three Students in Your Class
Name
Phone Number
E-mail Address
.
Writing Procedures:
In-Class Writings: must be written in blue or black ink, double spaced, and on one side of the
paper only.
Homework Writing Assignments: . All assignments should be neatly written or typed. At the top
of the paper, write your full name, and the date homework is due. The margins should be one inch on each side-top,
bottom, left, and right and double spaced. Each paragraph/essay should be indented ½ inch .
Re-Writes of Graded in-Class Writing Assignments: The corrections must be stapled to the top of the
original or it will not be accepted. Highlight the corrections on the re-written paper. After I read and grade your
in-class writing, I will give comments. Next, you should revise the paper to improve the organization, expression
of ideas, and/or development of ideas. You must try to make all changes that are suggested as well as any other
improvements you think of. Once you are ready to edit, correct as many errors (grammar, punctuation, spelling) as
you can find. Make sure you spend enough time. This is when you develop self-editing skills you will need in
future classes. If you get a ”C” or less, you must go to the tutor in the LAC in the”D” Building, 3rd floor. After
trying hard to find all errors, ask a tutor (free tutoring is available) to underline (only) your errors. You should
try to correct them. Next show your paper to the tutor again to see if your corrections are right. Make adjustments
as necessary and have the tutor sign your paper. Then make corrections and turn in the paper to me. I will likely
find further errors. Finally, correct these errors and turn the paper in to me one last time. Rewrites must be turned
in two classes after you get your graded paper back.
Vocabulary/Spelling Words: Write meaning of the word from the dictionary and also write down
the part of speech (example: noun, pronoun, verb).
Journal: The Journal (Blue Book) is very important because it allows you to write freely without
fear of being graded the traditional way. You must have two entries a week. You just need to write a
minimum of half a page per entry. It is not acceptable to wait for the due date and write many entries on
one day. Do not double-space your journal entries. Just skip a line between entries and put dates in the
margin. Also for the sake of economy, write on both sides of the paper.
Available Support Services
 Disabled Students Program and Services (D209, x7127)
 Learning Assistance Center (D300, x7230) – tutoring, self-guided materials
 Instructional Computer Center (D107)
Verb Tenses
Present Progressive
Present Perfect
Tom is studying right Tom has already
now
studied Chapter One
Simple Present
Tom studies every
day
Simple Past
Tom studied last night
Past Progressive
Tom was studying
when they came.
Simple Future
Tom will study
tomorrow.
Future Progressive
Tom will be studying
when you come.
Present Perfect
Progressive
Tom has been
studying for two
hours
Past Perfect
Past Perfect
Tom had already
Progressive
studied Chapter One
Tom had been
before he began
studying for two
studying Chapter two. hours before his
friends came.
Future Perfect
Future Perfect
Tom will already have Progressive
studied Chapter Four Tom will have been
before he studies
studying for two
Chapter Five.
hours by the time his
roommate gets home.
Verb Tense Key Time Words
Present Progressive
Simple Present
Every day
On Mondays
Once a week
Three times a month
Always, usually, often
Sometimes, seldom, rarely, never
Once in a while
On weekends
In the morning, afternoon or evening
At night
Now, Right now
At the moment
Today
This week
This semester
This month
This year
Simple Past
Simple Future
Yesterday
Yesterday morning, afternoon, evening
Last night
Last week, month, year
An hour ago
A week, month, year ago
When I was a child
In my country
Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, afternoon, evening, Tomorrow
night
Tonight
Next week, month, year
In a (little) while
In (a few) minutes, hours, days, weeks, months
In a minute
Soon
Later
In the future