Level 2 Reading

ESOL 0346 Level Two Reading Syllabus

Instructor: Christine Tierney

Office phone: 713 718 7750   E-mail: christine.tierney@hccs.edu

Office Hours: Mon & Wed,  8:OOam-8.30am or by appointment

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION: From the HCCS Catalog: Intermediate reading for foreign speakers: a continuation of ESOL 0342. This course develops reading skills and comprehension of more difficult reading selections.

2. ESOL 0346 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  ESOL 0346, Intermediate Reading seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce study by accomplishing the following objectives:

�      acquisition of new vocabulary words,

�      reading comprehension of narrative and expository rhetorical modes,

�       understanding main. ideas, supporting fucts,and graphics in texts,

�       increased proficiency in pronunciation while reading aloud,

�       developing critical reading skills.

3. COURSE OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:

l           acquire a reading recognition vocabulary of 1000-1500 words,

2          read with comprehension simple texts in the narrative and expository rhetorical modes,

3          state the main idea of a simple text,

4          locate specific information and supporting facts in a simple text,

5          demonstrate improved proficiency in pronunciation while reading aloud,

6          use critical reading skills in the following areas:

• derive meaning from text using prereading, skimming and scanning,
• use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary,
•  interpret information presented in graphics such as pictures, charts,graphs, and tables,
• evaluate information and separate fact from opinion.

5. TEXTBOOKS You are required to buy the following textbooks for this course:

            Issues for Today, 3rd edition by Lorraine C. Smith and Nancy Nici Mare.

6. IMPORTANT DAYS THIS SEMESTER-

Labor Day                                             September 1, 2008-  no class

Thanksgiving                                         November 27, 2008-  no class

The last day of instruction                     Thursday, December 4, 2008

Final exam week                                    December  8-10

7. LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW:     November 6, 2008 

8.  REQUIRED LAB:  We have reading lab on Mondays from 3:50 – 4:40.

CLASS POLICIES

ATTENDANCE: Students may not be absent more than 8 hours in any class.  A student who has more than 8 absences may be dropped from class.  One day equals 2 hours of class.

TARDINESS: You must come to class on time.  Class begins at 2:00 pm.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, you are absent.  Being late 3 times equals one absence.  Leaving class for more than 10 minutes counts as an absence.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Students must act appropriately in class.  Students must always treat all students and teachers with respect.  Since this is an English class, try to speak English at all times.  If sitting next to someone who speaks your language causes a problem in class, I may change your seat.

WITHDRAWALS: F-1 students may not withdraw from class without becoming out of status.  Other students must withdraw before November 6^th in order to receive a �W�. 

MAKEUP TESTS / LATE HOMEWORK: There are no makeup tests.  If you know you will be absent, you can take the test in lab the day before the test.  For every four tests I give, I will drop one low grade.  Turn in all homework assignments on time.  Late work is not accepted.

ACADEMIC HONESTY / CHEATING: Any form of copying, cheating, or plagiarism will result in a zero (0) for the assignment. Additional cheating will result in an �F� for the course.  See the HCCS Student Handbook for more information

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: HCCS POLICIES  Students with a documented learning or physical disability which might affect their performance in class should contact the HCCS disabilities counselor, Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909, FAX 713-718-7906.

CELL PHONES AND BEEPERS Students are not allowed to use cell phones or beepers in class.  An exception will be made in emergency situations.  Let me know if you need to have it on.

PASSING TO THE NEXT LEVEL   In order to pass to level 3, students must have a score of 70 or more in 3 of the four classes.  A student who repeats a class for the third time must pay additional fees per class.

PROBLEMS:  If you have a problem in class, please speak to me after class.  I will make every effort to help you.  You may always see me during office hours for extra help.  Additionally, you may email me at christine.tierney@hccs.edu. If I can not help you, please make an appointment to see the Assistant Chair in Room 112.

COURSE SCHEDULE  NOTE: This schedule is approximate.  I may make changes to it if necessary to cover the required material in the course.

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