ESL-064/065                                                                                      

Instructor: John McDermott

Advanced English for Non-Native Speakers                                 

Office: Elizabeth rm.405 M/W 11:00-1:30                                                                             

Phone: Office: (908) 659-5139 

Home: 908) 272-9532

E-mail: mcdermott2000@comcast.net

            Mcdermott@ucc/edu

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Texts: (You must buy the books.  Do not come to class with photocopies of a friend's books or with books that have the answers already filled in.  You will be sent out until you show me clean copies of your own books.)

 1. Communicate What you Mean

2. The American Way, 2nd Edition, Datesman, Crandall, and Kearny

3. The Least You Should Know about English: Form B 7^th Ed., Teresa F. Glazer.

4. Assigned work in the ALC and computer lab.

5. Outside reading as assigned from magazines, papers, and the Internet.

 Course description

ESL 064/5 Advanced English for Non-Native Speakers is the final, most advanced, of 6 levels of ESL offered at Union County College.  Congratulations.  It is designed to give you English, library, and study skills you will need for success in college. ESL 064/5 will require much work each week, like the college courses you are, or will soon be, taking--about 2 hours of study for each class hour. 

Course policies

1. You must attend all classes and be on time.  UCC policy states that more than two absences in a course that meets twice a week is "excessive."  Excessive absences alone will result in lost participation and can be cause for me to lower your grade one or more steps. ("C" minus 2 steps = "F".)

 2. All homework, including readings, exercises, and written assignments, must be on time.  I check homework and record whether you have done it.  Coming to class unprepared will result in a "zero" (0), and zeros will lower your grade. 

3. If you DO miss a class, you must find out the homework assignment, from a friend or from me, and then bring to the next class both the old homework and the new assignment given out on the day you missed.  You are responsible to make sure that I record any late homework.  I will NOT "chase" you. This is college. 

4. If you are confused by an assignment or by my lessons, arrange to see me.  I am available before and after class, during my office hours, by telephone, and other times by arrangement. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.  Generally, I am available from 10:30 – 10:55 AM  on M/W/F and after 1:30 on those days.  I cam often come other times, also.

5. Get used to turning in a professional quality product.  All papers should be written neatly, with margins, and on one side of a page.  Put you name and the date in the upper right corner of the first page.  Identify the assignment.  This helps me give you credit in my book. 

6. You must bring to class your a) textbooks, b) a notebook for taking notes, c) a folder for loose papers and old assignments, d) writing implements, e) willingness to participate, and f) your brain.  Don't bring food or drinks. 

Assigned work:                        

1. We will read about one chapter each week or two of The American Ways.  It will give us an extra, real, text to experience English vocabulary, grammar, patterns of expression, culture and ideas.  You will be assigned readings, interview assignments, and other assignments based on this book.

 2. Reading and exercises in our textbook and workbook.  Note:  Often I assign reading or exercises before we discuss the points they refer to.  Please do your best.  This will help you understand my lesson better.  You will receive credit if you DO the work, even if you have errors.  If you say, "I didn't do it because I did not understand," you get a zero.

 3. ALCs.  In addition to listening to tapes and getting help with your written assignments, you should visit the ALC regularly for extra practice with your weak spots.  The ESL faculty have worked hard to collect and organize computer materials, listening and video materials, reading and grammar exercises for you to use on your own, as each of you needs.  This is your responsibility.  Be wise; do it.  Log on the ALC sheet that I give you what you do each time.

 4. There will probably be a library assignment to help you feel more comfortable with the many ways the library can help you be more successful.

 Grades and Course Objectives

Grades will reflect student work throughout the semester, including quizzes, homework, and participation, as well as mid-term and final exams.  Exams will be announced.  There also will be smaller tests called "quizzes" every two or three weeks as we finish sections.  These may be announced or may be unannounced, for instance as a way to see if you are doing reading assignments.  Quizzes generally cannot be made up. 

 Development of your ability in speaking, listening, note- taking, reading, and writing, including BOTH fluency and grammar, will be considered.

    **You will pass ESL 06 if you take part in class, do the assigned work, and achieve a level of proficiency by the end of the semester that will enable you to continue to earn success in your future courses.  This proficiency will be measured as described above.  *** The best way to achieve this level is by doing all of the work, on time.  This is also the way to earn a grade better than just "pass".

 Your work in ESL 064 and 065 will be counted together and you will receive the same grade in both courses.

    Withdrawal

If you need to stop attending this or any class, talk to your teacher first and do an official withdrawal through an counselor.  DON'T just disappear.  Official withdrawal before the last withdrawal date results in a grade of W.  Not doing an official withdrawal results in a grade of F.

Signing up for this course is accepting a “contract” and agreeing

that you will follow these guidelines.  Keep your side of the contract. 

I will keep mine to my best ability.  I will teach as well as I can.