ESOL 0345

Level 2B Conversation

Fall 2007

Instructor: Gisele Medina

E-mail: gisele.medina@hccs.edu

Office Hours: 8-8:30 Mon- Thurs. or by appointment

Class Time: Tuesday and Thursday 10:20-11:10; 12:30-1:20

Computer Lab: Tuesday 11:40-12:30

Listening Lab: Thursday 11:40-12:30

Office Phone: 713-718-7750

Course Description: This course places emphasis on idiomatic speech, everyday vocabulary development, and listening comprehension.

Statement of Purpose: This course seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce study by advancing them from high beginning to high intermediate level in listening comprehension, oral fluency, active vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Course Outcomes:

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

Express simple emotions in the right context-Describe yourself and others-Talk about present, past, and future events-Make comparisons and state differences-Express opinions-Pay and receive compliments-Make polite requests and accept and refuse requests politely-Request help and give advice to others-Ask for permission and give apologies-Develop effective listening skills-Give prepared speeches

Grade Breakdown

Your grade will be calculated as follows:

Participation 20%

Oral Presentations/Projects 50%

Listening Lab/Quizzes 10%

Final 20%

100%

GRADE SCALE: 90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

69 or less = F or IP*

*IP= student has finished all the requirements of the course but is not ready to advance to the next level

Textbook: Northstar: Focus on Listening and Speaking: Intermediate

CLASS POLICIES

ATTENDANCE: Students may not be absent more than 8 hours in any class. A student who has more than 8 hour- absences may be dropped from class.

TARDINESS: You must come to class on time both in the morning and after the breaks. 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.

WITHDRAWALS: F-1 students may not withdraw from class without becoming out of status. Other students must withdraw before November 8 in order to receive a “W”. If you withdraw after that date, you will receive a grade of IP or F.

MAKEUP TESTS / LATE HOMEWORK: If you know you will be absent, you can take the test in lab the day before the test. If you are absent from a test, you must take it the day you return to class. You must ask your teacher for the test. Turn in all homework assignments on time. If you turn in your homework one day late, you will lose 10 points, 2 days= 20 points. After 3rd day, you will get a zero.

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

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with a 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. Keep your cell phones off or in silent mode. An exception will be made in emergency situation. Let me know if you need to have it on.

NOTICE: Students who repeat a course three or more times will face significant tuition increase at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance if you are not receiving passing grades.

TUTORING/OPEN LAB: Students can get extra help after school and on Friday mornings. Tutoring by qualified ESL teachers is available by week 3 at no extra charge. Students can also use the computer and listening labs for additional practice.

COURSE OUTLINE

WEEK 1:.................... “Advertising on the Air” Sections 1-2

WEEK 2: “Advertising on the Air” Sects 3-4

“Pushing the Limit” Sects 1-2

WEEK 3:.................... “Pushing the Limit” Sects 3-4

WEEK 4: “Too Good to Be True” Sects 1-2

PRESENTATION #1

WEEK 5:.................... “Too Good to Be True” Sects 3-4

“The Art of Storytelling” Sects 1-2

WEEK 6:.................... “The Art of Storytelling” Sects 3-4

WEEK 7: “Separated by the Same Language” Sects 1-2

WEEK 8:.................... “Separated by the Same Language” Sects 3-4

PRESENTATION #2

WEEK 9:.................... “Culture and Commerce” Sects 1-2

WEEK 10:.................. “Culture and Commerce” Sects 3-4

“Joking Around” Sects 1-2

WEEK 11:.................. “Joking Around” Sects 3-4

WEEK 12:.................. “Traditional or Trendy” Sects 1-2

PRESENTATION #3

WEEK 13:.................. “Traditional or Trendy” Sects 3-4

WEEK 14:.................. “To Spank or Not to Spank” Sects 3-4

WEEK 15: “Before You Say I Do” Sects 1-4

WEEK 16: FINAL EXAM WEEK

Important Dates:

Holidays (no classes)

Monday September 3 Labor Day

Thursday November 22 Thanksgiving Day

Thursday December 6 Last Day of Classes

Monday December 10 Final Exam