Prerequisite(s): ESL V or Advanced placement test score
Textbook: NorthStar:
Listening and Speaking Advanced, 2nd ed., 2004 (or
comparable text); Longman Dictionary of
American English now with Thesaurus, 3rd
or later ed., Pearson, 2004 (recommended).
Course
Description: A sixth level ESL course that introduces
advanced students to a higher level of difficulty and fluency than ESL V
requiring wish statements, expressions of unreality, spoken discourse connections,
direct and indirect speech, and compound verbs including passive voice and
modals organized into longer oral and written presentations.
Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be able to
listen, speak, read, and write using longer compound and complex sentences and
more extensive vocabulary than expected of ESL V students. They should be comfortable with the
communication of wishes, unreality, and urgency. They should recognize and use discourse
connectors, direct and indirect speech, compound tenses including the passive
causative and modals of uncertainty.
They should be able to apply these language skills at a higher level of
critical thinking to make predictions, express and defend opinions, summarize
information, retell a conversation, and compare and contrast.
Instructional
Methods: An integrated cumulative
skills development methodology increases language retention and fluency by
stimulating students to make meaning from 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 will be
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% |
The grading scale is: A=90-100%, B+=85-89%, B=80-84%, C+=75-79%, C=70-74%, D=65-69%, F=60-64%
|
Week |
Topics |
Assignments and Tests |
|
1-3 |
Review of NorthStar method. NorthStar Unit 1
Theme: The Internet and Other
Addictions Communication Focus: making predictions, expressing and
defending opinions, using vocabulary in guided conversation, conducting a
survey and reporting results, etc. Grammar Focus: wish statements (expressing
unreality). Unit 1 Video Sequence. |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
4-5 |
NorthStar Unit 2
Theme: Celebration, Communication Focus: making predictions; summarizing ideas,
expressing conjecture, making a short oral presentation. Grammar Focus: noun clauses after verbs of urgency. Unit 2 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet |
|
6-7 |
NorthStar Unit 3
Theme: The Bold and the Bashful Communication Focus: making predictions, expressing and
defending opinions, using new vocabulary in extemporaneous responses,
describing one’s personality, using gambits, etc. Grammar Focus: identifying and nonidentifying adjective
clauses Unit 3 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
8 |
Review, Units 1-3 Drafting, editing, and
re-writing essay. |
Write an essay based on
topic assigned by teacher Bi-monthly Exam |
|
9-10 |
NorthStar Unit 4
Theme: The Tipping Point Communication Focus: using metaphors, using introductory
expressions to restate, presenting findings Grammar Focus: adverbs
clauses of result Unit 4 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
11-12 |
NorthStar Unit 5
Theme: Feng Shui: Ancient Wisdom
Travels West Communication Focus:
summarizing information, expressing and defending opinions, using new
vocabulary and discourse connectors Grammar Focus: spoken discourse connectors Unit 5 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
13-14 |
NorthStar Unit 6 Theme:
Spiritual Renewal Communication Focus: brainstorming motivations, summarizing
using new vocabulary, using hesitation in extemporaneous responses, planning
and presenting a longer oral presentation, etc. Grammar Focus: Count and non-count nouns and their
quantifiers Unit 6 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
15-16 |
NorthStar Unit 7 Theme:
Workplace Privacy Communication Focus: Brainstorming language of privacy, making
predictions, practicing correct stress patterns, conducting short interviews
and summarizing finding, etc. Grammar Focus: two forms and meanings of verb+gerund Unit 7 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
worksheet |
|
17 |
Review, Units 4-7 Drafting, editing, and
re-writing short essay. |
Write short essay based on
topic assigned by teacher Bi-monthly Exam |
|
18-19 |
NorthStar Unit 8
Theme: Warriors Without Weapons Communication Focus: comparing background experiences, using
opening gambits, defending opinions, posing and respond to questions with new
vocabulary, retelling a conversation, etc. Grammar Focus: direct and
indirect speech Unit 8 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises Student video activity
sheet |
|
20-21 |
NorthStar Unit 9
Theme: Boosting Brain Power through
the Arts Communication Focus: comparing knowledge and reactions,
summarizing information, using figurative language, using transitions to
compare and contrast, etc. Grammar Focus: passive voice and passive causative Unit 9 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
22-23 |
NorthStar Unit 10 Theme:
Television and Freedom of Expression Communication Focus: making
predictions, supporting an opinion with examples, using phrasal verbs,
expressing degrees of certainty with modals, using gambits, conducting short
interviews, etc. Grammar Focus: modals to express degrees of certainty Unit 10 Video Sequence |
NorthStar unit exercises. Student video activity
sheet. |
|
24 |
Review, Units 8-10. Drafting, editing, and
re-writing short essay. |
Write short essay based on
topic assigned by teacher Bi-monthly Exam |