501.3 English as a Second Language III (NorthStar:
Basic/Low Intermediate) 120 classes
Prerequisite(s): ESL II or Low Intermediate placement test score
Textbook: NorthStar Listening and Speaking Basic/Low Intermediate 2nd
ed., Pearson Education, 2004 (or comparable text); F. J. Ferrraro et al,
Intermediate English 3: A
Handbook of twenty basic lessons, Spanish-American Institute, 2002 (or
comparable text).
Course
Description: A third level ESL course that introduces
intermediate students to a higher level of difficulty and fluency than ESL II
requiring compound tenses, longer sentences, and simple complex sentence
structures
Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able to
listen, speak, read, and write using compound tenses, simple complex sentences;
longer sentences including more comparative adjectives and adverbs; verbs plus
gerunds and infinitives; modals; and more extensive vocabulary than expected of ESL I or II students.
Instructional
Methods: An
integrated cumulative skills development methodology increases language
retention and fluency by stimulating students to make meaning in a new language
through active learning activities.
Recorded listening passages build on vocabulary and ideas from
background material and exercises.
Students work individually, in pairs, and in small groups on guided,
linked activities built around each unit's theme. Instruction is supplemented with ESL audio and video material
keyed to textbook units.
Grading: The final grade is based on the following:
|
Class Participation |
25% |
|
Assignments |
50% |
|
Exams |
25% |
|
Total |
100% |
|
Week |
Topics |
Assignments and Tests |
|
1-3 |
Introduction to NorthStar
method. NorthStar Unit 1
Theme: Work Communication Focus: making predictions, expressing and
defending opinions Grammar Focus: descriptive adjectives Unit 1 Video Sequence. |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
4-5 |
NorthStar Unit 2
Theme: The Country and the City Communication Focus: sharing opinions, expressing agreement
with “too” and “not either”; making past tense statements Grammar Focus: simple past tense Unit Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
6-7 |
NorthStar Unit 3 Theme: Money Communication Focus: making suggestions and coming to an
agreement, comparing products, asking and answering questions Grammar Focus: comparative adjectives Unit 3 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
8 |
Review, Units 1-3 Drafting, editing, and
re-writing short essay. |
Write short essay based on
topic assigned by teacher (part of bi-monthly grade) Bi-monthly Exam |
|
9-10 |
NorthStar Unit 4
Theme: Animals Communication Focus: expressing opinions, constructing and
performing a dialogue, asking for more information, asking and answering
information questions Unit 4 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and exercises
corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
11-12 |
NorthStar Unit 5
Theme: Cell Phone Etiquette Communication Focus: comparing and discussing solutions,
expressing likes and dislikes Grammar Focus: verbs plus gerunds and infinitives Unit 5 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
13-14 |
NorthStar Unit 6
Theme: Male and Female Roles Communication Focus: making predictions, expressing opinions,
using intonation to denote attitude, agreeing and disagreeing, asking and
answering questions about daily habits Grammar Focus: adverbs and expressions of frequency Unit Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
15 |
NorthStar Unit 7
Theme: Food Communication Focus: making predictions, sharing opinions,
comparing and discussing solutions, politely expressing wants, discussing a
shopping list Grammar Focus: count and non-count nouns |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. |
|
16 |
Review, Units 4-7 (partial
unit 7) Drafting, editing, and
re-writing short essay. |
Write short essay based on
topic assigned by teacher (part of bi-monthly grade) Bi-monthly Exam |
|
17 |
NorthStar Unit 7
continued. Unit 7 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
18-19 |
NorthStar Unit 8
Theme: Travel Communication Focus: making polite requests, conducting and
interview, agreeing and disagreeing, asking and answering travel questions Grammar Focus: “can/can’t” Unit 8 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text Student video activity
sheet |
|
20-21 |
NorthStar Unit 9
Theme: Health and Illness Communication Focus: making predictions and expressing
opinions, expressing concern about health, giving and receiving advice Grammar Focus: “should/ought to/have to” Unit 9 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
22-23 |
NorthStar Unit 10
Theme: Endangered Languages Communication Focus: sharing background information, making
predictions and expressing opinions, giving examples to explain a general
statement, interpreting statistics Unit 10 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Handbook reading and
exercises corresponding to grammar focus of NorthStar text. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
24 |
Review, Units 8-10. Drafting, editing, and
re-writing short essay. |
Write a short essay based
on topic assigned by teacher (part of bi-monthly grade) Bi-monthly Exam |
rev. 2/05, 2/07