Reading, Oral and Study Skills Syllabus ENL 063
Instructor: Priscila Martins-Read, office at AA5 205 Phone: 360 992-2389, E-mail: pmartins-read@clark.edu Office Hours: MWF: 10:00 - 10:30, TTh 3:30-4:15 at BHL 101 Web site: http://web.clark.edu/martpe
Required Texts: Datesman, Kearney. American Ways. Prentice Hall, Survival Kit for Overseas Living, by Robert Kohls and an English-English dictionary
Course
Description and Learning Outcomes
The overall goal of this course is to help prepare students for participation in academic reading activities that are generally required of college students, although materials are at a pre-college level. We will practice both intensive and extensive reading. A successful graduate of this class will be able to demonstrate mastery of the following skills:
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Identify main ideas, supporting ideas and important details in pre-college level readings and be able to form an outline of a reading. |
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Make simple oral/written summaries of reading selections from the textbook and/or from short articles from the popular press. |
| Answer comprehension questions about reading passages. |
| Answer test questions, write essays, or do other assigned projects by using information from readings and/or information from personal experience and opinion. |
| Develop a personal system for organizing and studying vocabulary on an on-going basis. |
| Increase academic vocabulary, and use new vocabulary orally and in writing. |
| Recognize and practice a variety of strategies for college success. |
| Learn a study method and apply it to reading assignments. |
| Become familiar with college services and activities. |
| Become familiar with cultural expectations in an American educational setting. |
College-wide Abilities
Oral Communication, particularly in the form of discussions, by identifying strengths and weaknesses in a variety of communication situations, and in own communication skills, by using feedback to improve communication, by interpreting verbal, non-verbal, and visual cues, by(level 2) analyzing, comparing and contrasting how communication styles must change according to situational needs, and by describing, summarizing and paraphrasing information accurately.
Critical Thinking skills, by making observations, by identifying, distinguishing, and defining facts, evidence, opinions, data, points of view and assumptions, by (level 2) examining, and analyzing facts, opinions and points of view about their own and the host culture, by using relevant questions to be able to better understand the host culture, and by articulating and evaluating the problems, points of view, and values encountered in the materials read.
Information Technology skills, by using basic computer skills such as word processing, saving work on disks, by communicating with the instructor via e-mail, by searching for reading materials online, by accessing reference material online.
Attendance and
Homework
Attendance. Coming to class everyday, being on time, and having homework completed is a strict requirement. If you have more than 5 absences (less than 75% attendance) your grade may be lowered by a full letter, or you may not pass the class.
If you are absent -- Call a classmate to find out what work you have missed. Even if you are absent, you will be responsible for knowing what happened in class and completing homework and assignments.
Homework: You may expect to have approximately 1 hour of homework per class hour. You are expected to learn many new English skills in only 10 weeks. Because of this, it is important that you spend as much time as possible studying and practicing the skills you have learned in class.
You are expected to
turn all homework and assignments in on-time.
Late homework will receive half or no credit.
Grading
You will be graded on the point system: Attendance and
homework (20%), Class assignments, projects, tests (80%) You must receive a
grade of “C” (75%) or better in order to move to the next level.
Language
Center
The Language Center/ Computer Lab in Bauer Hall 101 is a great place to go for extra help in any of your classes, to meet with study groups, or to use the computers. Many teachers have office hours in the lab. Check the lab schedule and feel free to visit any of the teachers when they are in the lab for help with any of your classes. You may also use the computers during any Open Lab time. Lab monitors are able to assist you with basic computer and Internet questions. Also, the ENL department has a web page that has information about each class. In addition, you will find links to other fun and interesting web sites where you can practice any of your English skills.
Study Groups
Studying with your classmates is a very good way to practice your English and to improve your learning. You are highly encouraged to form small study groups (4-6 people is best) and meet regularly to review or do homework together. There is only 1 rule for study groups – everyone must participate! No copying! I will give extra credit for any people who wish to participate in a regular study group. See me for details.
!!! In emergencies, students should do the following:
Go to www.clark.edu or call 360-992-2000 as your first means of getting information. The College does send notices to radio and television stations, but the College’s web site and switchboard are the official platforms for the most accurate information.
To receive immediate notice on emergencies, you can register your cell phone number to receive text pages and your email address to receive email messages. To do this, go to www.flashalert.net . Select “Subscribe” on the left, and follow the instructions. Mass communication will also be sent to all college employee phones and computers.
Evacuate the building through closest exit; evacuation maps are located in the hallways. Take personal belongings only if it is safe to do so. Remain at least 50 feet from the building. Notify others of evacuation. Do not re-enter building until instructed to do so.
New parking lot identifiers using colors and numbers have been assigned to all Clark parking lots. To help emergency or security personnel locate you, please refer to these identifying features.
* General Schedule See the Quarter at a glance for specific schedule. We will study about 1 chapter per week in addition to projects and other readings as assigned. There will be specific assignments for the lab portion of this course.
* Important: If you have difficulty hearing, seeing, or any other problem, please let me know! I will do what I can to help.