ES 123 - English as a Second Language: Reading and Vocabulary III

2. Find the main idea of the texts mentioned above.

3. Answer comprehension questions about the texts mentioned above.

4. Begin to read critically and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of an author’s statement.

5. Discuss and react to readings in group and class discussions.

6. Understand and use an increased number of more advanced vocabulary words.

7. Use a wide variety of strategies to guess the meaning of new words.

8. Understand various stems and affixes and use them to discover the meaning of new words.

9. Read with increased fluency.

10. Use various strategies when reading to improve comprehension.

11. Translate or explain what written information means and/or how it can be used.

12. Complete work accurately, with attention to detail.
Course Outline:

1. Initiate activities to help students get to know one another, creating a comfortable classroom atmosphere
2. Use a variety of authentic English texts to teach and practice reading skills
3. Practice various pre and post reading strategies
4. Practice reading to identify the main idea and supporting details
5. Practice reading to answer increasingly complex comprehension questions
6. Develop various reading skills (skimming, scanning, inferring, paraphrasing, etc.)
7. Introduce critical reading skills (identify facts and opinion, evaluate an author’s argument, etc.)
8. Introduce stems and affixes and how they can be used to discover the meaning of new words
9. Practice a variety of strategies to help students discover the meaning of new words in readings
10. Introduce various new vocabulary words
11. Stimulate class and group discussions about readings
12. Develop a greater awareness of American culture and how it affects a reader’s interpretation of a text

Lecture: Approx 15-20%

Individual skills practice: Approx 15-20%

Media such as audio and video tapes: Approx 5-10%
Mandatory Course Components:
 -Grades should be made up of approximately 40% reading, 40% vocabulary, and 20% attendance and participation in class activities.

-Course should include a minimum of 20 reading activities, 25 vocabulary activities, and 5 tests or quizzes.

-Assessments will include a variety of activities, such as tests and quizzes, reading journals, book reports, group presentations, group reporting, summary/response, reading and vocabulary exercises, etc.

-Midterm and final exams are not required, but may be given, not to exceed 20% of the final grade.

-A range of instructional strategies, including group and/or pair work, is required in all reading classes.  Lecture must not dominate.