English as a Second Language Department
Course Descriptions
INTEGRATED SKILLS BEGINNING COURSE
ESL 960 - Foundations in ESL (6 units)
This course provides basic practice in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar for beginning level ESL students. It also provides preparation for placement into ESL 961 classes. Students are given the opportunity to develop basic study skills such as time management and to complete simple tasks involving the library, dictionary, and computer.
GRAMMAR/WRITING COURSES
ESL 961GW - Basic Grammar and Writing 1 (3.5 units)
ESL 962GW - Basic Grammar and Writing 2 (3.0 units)
The focus of this course is on the study and practice of simple and compound sentences, using compound tenses and correct word forms, word order, spelling, and punctuation.
ESL 963GW - Sentence Development (3.0 units)
This course develops the ability to write varied, complex sentences and effective paragraphs in standard written English. The focus is on study and practice of complex sentence constructions, prewriting techniques including outlining, and basic rhetorical patterns.
ESL 964GW - Paragraph Development (3.0 units)
This course develops the ability to write varied, complex
sentences and effective paragraphs in standard written English. The focus
in on study and practice of complex sentence structures, prewriting techniques
including outlining, and basic rhetorical patterns.
ESL 65GW - Composition in ESL (3.5 units)
This course develops fluency in writing expository paragraphs in standard written English and introduces essay structure. The focus is on the study and practice of topic sentences and thesis statements, rhetorical patterns, organization of the paragraph and short essay, coherence and writing techniques. This class includes 2 hours per week on individualized grammar and writing work in the ESL Skills Lab.
LISTENING AND SPEAKING COURSES
ESL 961LS - Basic Listening and Speaking (3.5 units)
In this course, students receive guidance and extensive practice
in distinguishing words, phrases and sentences. Listening focuses on comprehension
of verbal instructions, vocabulary in context, and ideas in sentences,
monologues, and dialogues. Speaking focuses on the clear pronunciation
of common words and phrases and the development of basic patterns of stress
and intonation. This class includes 2 hours per week of listening lab work.
ESL 962LS - Basic Listening and Speaking (3.5 units)
This course continues the development of basic listening comprehension. Listening focuses on the comprehension of verbal instructions and questions in a series, of vocabulary in context, and of main ideas and details in sentences, monologues, dialogues, and short paragraphs. Speaking focuses on the clear pronunciation of common words and phrases and continues to the development of basic English pronunciation patterns of stress and intonation. This course includes 2 hours per week of listening lab work.
ESL 963LS - Oral Communication 1 (3.5 units)
In this course, intermediate level ESL students
receive guidance and extensive practice in effective oral communication
in a variety of social and vocational situations. Students express ideas
in conversational settings using current vocabulary, knowledge of grammar,
new idiomatic expressions, and appropriate nonverbal behavior. This course
emphasizes the development of oral fluency in one-on-one and small group
communication. This course includes 2 hours per week of listening lab work.
ESL 964LS - Oral Communication 2 (3.5 units)
This course develops students' oral communication skills in a variety of social, business, and academic situations. Students continue to learn and practice appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior. Emphasis is on the development of oral fluency and the appropriate use of conversational strategies and management techniques. This course includes 2 hours per week of listening lab work.
ESL 65LS - Academic Listening and Speaking (3.5 units)
Advanced level ESL students receive guidance and extensive
practice in listening and speaking in academic and professional settings.
Listening focuses on understanding spoken English in formats such a college
lectures and news broadcasts. Students are exposed to various styles and
accents of speakers. Note-taking tasks reinforce aural comprehension and
focus on recognizing organizational patterns and outline main ideas and
supporting details through audiotaped, videotaped, and live presentations.
Speaking focuses on increased fluency and communicative strategies used
by native speakers in academic and professional settings. This course includes 2
hours per week of listening lab work.
READING/VOCABULARY COURSES
ESL 961RV - Reading and Vocabulary 1 (3.5 units)
This course focuses on vocabulary development and basic comprehension of ideas in sentences and groups of sentences written in standard English. Materials and class activities are designed to increase knowledge of American culture necessary for understanding concepts and texts in English. This course includes 2 hours per week in the ESL Skills Lab and/or Computer Assisted Writing (CAW) Lab.
ESL 962RV - Reading and Vocabulary 2 (3.0 units)
ESL 963RV - Reading and Vocabulary 3 (3.0 units)
Intermediate-level students work on understanding phrases rather than individual words, reading longer, more complex paragraphs and using the library.
ESL 964RV - Reading and Vocabulary 4 (3.0 units)
ESL 65RV - Reading and Vocabulary 5 (3.0 units)
Advanced level students read articles and stories that are longer and more complex than in ESL 964RV. The emphasis of this course in on paraphrasing, summarizing and analyzing reading selections to make abstract inferences and recognize propaganda.
ESL 68 - Pronunciation Skills (3.0 units)
This course in intended for advanced ESL students who want to improve
their
pronunciation skills and fluency in English. The course
offers individual speech assessment and intensive practice in American English
speech sounds, stress, rhythm and intonation. Students will learn how to
monitor their speech in social and professional speaking situations.
ESL 975 A, B, C, D - English as a Second Language Skills Lab (.5 unit each)
The ESL Skills Lab is available to all ESL students. This program provides assistance to students who need help in grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension, spelling, reading, and writing in English. Materials allow students to progress at their own pace often on available computer programs in the Computer Assisted Writing (CAW) Lab. ESL instructors and aides will be available to help ensure students' success.
Last updated 08/25/2007.