ESOL 1309: WRITING AND READING FOR

SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Spring 2006

Instructor: Dr. Jim KlineOffice Hours: T-R 8:30-9:00 & 12:00-12:30 & by appointment

E-mail:ajkline@utep.edu Office Address: LART 125
Telephone: HOME (505)526-8876 OFFICE (915) 747-6354

WEB PAGE http://utminers.utep.edu/ajkline

what will I be learning in this class?

The primary emphasis for ESOL 1309 will be placed on developing strategies for the writing process so that a student can write coherent and cohesive essays. The emphasis is to acquire and use the basic rhetorical patterns of English. You will learn how to:

1) use a variety of invention techniques to find and explore topics for writing

2) select and organize material for writing

3) evaluate and revise your own text for content, coherence, and language use

4) write effective introductions and conclusions for essays

5) make use of a monolingual dictionary for effective vocabulary in writing

6) edit and polish your text for major grammatical constructions

7) correct most mechanical errors (punctuation, capitalization, spelling)

Grammar will be taught in the corequisite course 1406. Grammatical emphasis in ESOL 1309 will be on grammar within the discourse. Standard writing mechanics will be taught.

what textbooks do i need to buy?

1. Folse, Keith,, M. Kathleen Mahnke, Elena Vestri Solomon, and Lorraine Williams. Blueprints 2. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.

2. A collegiate English dictionary or an advanced ESL learner's dictionary.

DO I NEED ANYTHING ELSE?

You need:

1. two 3.5" floppy diskettes, double sided high density

2. at least 3 manila folders to keep your essays in.

3. a spiral bound notebook (appx 8"x 12") with at least 25 blank lined pages

4. a package of 100 3"x5" index cards

what are the requirements for this course?

You will be required to turn in two paragraphs and four (4) completed essays. In addition, you will edit and revise your papers.

You will also take a midterm and final exam which will require you to write an essay. You must pass the final exam with a "C" with a minimum score of 75% or better to pass the class. A passing essay must show competence in organization and development and have few problems in vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics.

You will also be keeping a reading journal in which you are expected to practice your writing. Your teacher will collect the assigned journals for a grade.

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

You may hand in each essay two times (except essays 3 and 4): a first time for a teacher response and grade and a second time for a higher grade. If you turn it in a second time, it will only be reevaluated if there are substantial changes. Essays three and four will be returned ungraded for a second rewrite if there are 15 errors (grammar, mechanics, format) per page. If there is no substantial change (less than 15 errors) you will receive an "F" on the essay. Grades will be based on the ESL Composition Profile.

You must MAINTAIN A PASSING CLASS AVERAGE and pass the final exam with a 75% or better to pass the course with a "C" or better. If you receive a "D" or an "F", you must retake the course.

Grades will be calculated according to the following guidelines:

Essays/Paragraphs40%

Journals    10%

Assignments/Participation10%

Midterm    10%

Final         30%

Letter grades are assigned on the following scale:

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=0-59