ESL 140

a six-unit high intermediate academic ESL presented partially online

Instructor: Katarina Mijatovic
office: L518      phone: 452-7089
web: www.ccsf.edu/kmijatov      e-mail: kmijatov@ccsf.edu
(check website for office hours)

ESL 140 is a high intermediate academic ESL course. In this class you will learn and practice various strategies for improving your reading, vocabulary, writing and grammar skills. Class work will include lectures, group discussion, and a variety of tests, quizzes, and written assignments. Online work will include longer readings related to topics in the text, responses to discussion topics, and grammar practice quizzes. Homework will include reading assignments, grammar exercises and essays. You will write a total of 6 formal essays and several shorter writings, such as summaries, opinion pieces and letters. Three of the essays will be written at home and three in class.

PREREQUISITE: Placement in ESL 140 or completion of ESL 130 with a grade of C or higher. It is recommended that you take 142 during the same semester as 140.

TEXTS: Northstar Reading and Writing High Intermediate, second edition, by Andrew and Laura English
                Grammar Links 3, third edition, by Janis van Zante (with grammar cafe access code)

ATTENDANCE: This is a "hybrid" class, meaning that both attendance in class and online are required. You are responsible for everything that is discussed in class and written on the board. Most class sessions will have required quizzes and in-class work that cannot be made up, so please try not miss any classes. Attendance will be checked at each class session and online. You will be allowed a total of 2 absences from class. If you are absent 3 times, your final grade will be lowered. Four absences will result in your being dropped from the class. Being late to class three times is equivalent to one absence. You may not make up any quiz or in-class essay that you miss!
  • You must arrive on time and attend class regularly - the online work does not substitute class time!
  • You must complete all your online work on time. If you miss the date for a discussion topic, you will not be able to go back to it.
  • You must come to class with all assigned work completed.
  • You may not be absent from class meetings more than 2 times without negative consequences
  • You are responsible for getting work handed in on time
  • There will be no make-up quizzes or in-class writing
  • If you have an emergency, contact me by e-mail or phone (e-mail is better)
ASSIGNMENTS: You can expect the following types of assignments:
  • reading assignments from the textbook and online articles
  • unit quizzes on the readings, including vocabulary
  • discussion questions on articles from the texbook and online
  • summaries and other writing assignments
  • vocabulary and reading comprehension exercises
  • grammar exercises and unit quizzes
  • essay assignments, in-class and out of class
  • essay revisions, following teacher comments and guidelines
All reading and writing assignments must be prepared by the date that they are due, whether or not they are to be collected. Essays may not be turned in late.

GRADES: Your final grade will be based on the following formula.

in-class essays and quizzes - 40%
take-home essays, written homework assignments - 20%
online work and discussion contributions - 15%
final exam - 25%



Plagiarism: Copying from another student, a book or a web page is plagiarism, and it will not be tolerated. Plagiarized work will receive an "F." Repeated plagiarism will be grounds for dropping you from the class. Please do your own work at all times!