Santa Monica College
Non-Credit Course Outline
ESL 971
Course Title: ESL 971: Beginning Idioms, Prepositions, and Vocabulary
Total Hours Instruction: 60
Date Submitted: 2/28/2007
Updated:
I.
Catalog Description:
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for the beginning ESL student. Students learn basic English
vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, and grammatical structures, and begin
engaging in simple dialogs and conversations that are culturally-appropriate and applicable to
a variety of real-life situations.
II.
Required Text and References:
One or more of the following or similar texts:
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms for Students of English. MA: Houghton Mifflin, 2000.
Flower, John, Michael Berman, Ron Martinez, and Mark Powell. American Vocabulary
Program 1: Lower Intermediate. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 2002.
Fragiadakis, Helen Kalkstein. All Clear! Idioms in Context, Book 1, 2nd ed. MA: Heinle and
Heinle, 1993.
References:
Brinton, Donna and Peter Master eds. New Ways in Content-Based Instruction. VA: TESOL
Publications, 1997.
Brown, J. D. ed. New Ways of Classroom Assessment. VA: TESOL Publications, 1998.
Celce-Murcia, Marianne ed. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, 3rd ed. MA:
Heinle and Heinle, 2001.
Fragiadakis, Helen, Kalkstein. All Clear! Listening and Speaking, Book 1, 2nd ed. MA: Heinle
and Heinle, 2007.
Keen, Dennis. Developing Vocabulary Skills, 2nd ed. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 1994.
Longman Dictionary of American English. NY: Pearson Ed, 2004.
Newbury House Dictionary of American English. MA: Heinle and Heinle, 1999.
Reeves, George. The New Idioms in Action. NY: Newbury House, 1985.
Santa Monica College
Non-Credit Course Outline
Page 2 of 4
III.
Objectives:
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
IV.
A.
Demonstrate understanding of two- or three-word phrasal verbs.
B.
Orally produce simple sentences in English using basic idioms, phrasal verbs, and
vocabulary.
C.
Respond to short questions in English using basic idioms, phrasal verbs, and
vocabulary.
D.
Use basic idioms and vocabulary in class discussions and activities.
E.
Analyze simple scenarios in English using basic idioms and vocabulary.
F.
Demonstrate understanding of slang commonly used in television, movies, and
popular culture.
G.
Recognize contexts in which it is not appropriate to use slang (e.g., job interviews).
H.
Recognize culturally-appropriate conversational etiquette and expressions of courtesy.
I.
Demonstrate an understanding of the format and layout of an English-only dictionary.
J.
Identify resources that may be helpful in defining slang or other words not typically
included in a dictionary.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Date Submitted: 2/28/2007
V.
1.
Given a list of three short questions, students will respond using appropriate
vocabulary, idioms, and phrasal verbs.
2.
In a discussion with a fellow classmate, students will produce slang commonly used in
movies, television, and popular culture, and will identify contexts in which the use of
slang is not appropriate.
Instructional Methodology:
(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry /
open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)
30%
40%
15%
5%
10%
Lecture and/or demonstration
Speaking and listening exercises (including class discussions, small-group
discussions, oral recitations, and/or pair activities)
Reading and writing exercises (including error analysis and/or paraphrasing)
Student presentations and/or oral recitations
Audio-visual materials and/or guest speakers
Santa Monica College
Non-Credit Course Outline
Page 3 of 4
VI.
Course Content:
(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry /
open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)
Percentage
of Term
Topics
Listening skills, including basic English vocabulary, idiomatic
30%
expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs;
basic scenarios in English; slang commonly used in television, movies,
and popular culture; expressions of courtesy; resources helpful in defining
slang and other words not typically found in a dictionary.
Speaking skills, including basic English vocabulary, idiomatic
30%
expressions, grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs;
producing simple sentences; responding to short questions; analyzing
basic scenarios in English; slang commonly used in television, movies,
and popular culture; contexts in which it is not appropriate to use slang;
culturally-appropriate conversational etiquette and expressions of
courtesy; making short oral presentations.
Reading skills, including basic English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions,
30%
grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; reading
simple sentences, short questions, and basic scenarios in English; format
and layout of an English-only dictionary; resources helpful in defining
slang and other words not typically found in a dictionary.
Writing skills, including basic English vocabulary, idiomatic expressions,
10%
grammatical structures, and two-or three-word phrasal verbs; writing
simple sentences and responses to short questions; the format and layout
of an English-only dictionary.
VI.
Methods of Evaluation:
(Approximate values are shown, but because all non-credit ESL courses are open entry /
open exit, actual percentage values may vary.)
25%
20%
15%
10%
30%
Oral presentations
Quizzes and exams
Homework assignments
Writing assignments
Participation in classroom discussions and activities (including reading
exercises, oral recitations, small group work, and pair work)
Santa Monica College
Non-Credit Course Outline
Page 4 of 4
Curriculum Approved ________
Date
David Zehr, Chair, Curriculum Committee
Date
Jeff Shimizu, Vice President, Academic Affairs