ESL 500b1 Spring 2013

Day		Date	Lesson	Assignments Due
Unit 1: Diagnostic Essay Process Assignment
1		8/26 M	Icebreaker Introduction to Course/Technology Assign: Reflection #1 (on positive writing)
2		8/28 W	Module 1.1 Positive Writing Experiences Explanation of Diagnostic Exam
3		8/30 F	Diagnostic Exam (50 minutes)
4		9/2 M	NO CLASS
5		9/4 W	Module 1.2 Interpreting Writing Prompts
6		9/6 F	Module 1.3 Thesis Statements + Start Formal Outlining Assign: Diagnostic Essay Process Assignment	Due: Reflection #1
7		9/9 M	Module 1.4 Formal Outlining
8		9/11 W	Module 1.4 Introductions
9		9/13 F	Module 1.5 Body Paragraphs (PIE)	Due: Formal Outline
10		9/16 M	Module 1.6 Cohesive Devices
11		9/18 W	Module 1.6/1.7 Cohesive Devices
12		9/20 F	Module 1.7 Conclusions	Writer's Help Activities
Unit 2: Summary & Synthesis Paragraphs Portfolio
13		9/23 M	Module 2.1 Summary Writing Assign: Summary & Synthesis Paragraphs Portfolio
14		9/25 W	Module 2.1 /2.2.1 Finish Summary Writing/Start Plagiarism
15		9/27 F	Module 2.2.1 Avoiding Plagiarism: Paraphrasing and When (not) to Quote	Due: Diagnostic Revision Process Assignment
16		9/30 M	Module 2.2.2 Avoiding Plagiarism: Citation Styles and Citation software
17		10/2 W	Module 2.2.2 Avoiding Plagiarism: Citation Styles and Citation software Mini Peer Review on Summary #1	Due:  Summary of article  #1
18		10/4 F	Module 2.3 Identifying and Synthesizing Main Ideas Class Dicussion: Article #3	Due: Summary of article #2
19		10/7 M	Module 2.3 Identifying and Synthesizing Main Ideas Module 2.4 Comparative Language
20		10/9 W	Module 2.4 Guided Peer Review & Workshop	Due: #3 and #4 Synthesis paragraphs
21		10/11 F	Module 2.5 Peer Perception
Unit 3: Summary Critique Essay
22		10/14 M	Module 3.1 Introduction to Critique I -purpose of critique -basic structure of critique essay
23		10/16 W	Module 3.1 Introduction to Critique II -Review basic structure of critique essay -Start Summarizing article in Google Doc	Due: Summary & Synthesis Paragraphs Portfolio
24		10/18 F	Module 3.2 Critical Thinking: Identification of Critique Points -Finish Summarizing Research -Review Sample Writing of Critique Assign: Read the following: 1) directions to Assignment  2) Research Article (object of critique)   3) Student Summary Points in Google Doc
25		10/21 M	Module 3.3 Language: Evaluation and Hedging
26		10/23 W	Module 3.3 Finish evaluative language and start formal language
27		10/25 F	Module 3.4 Avoiding Informal Language	Due: Writer's Help Min of 6 completed
28		10/28 M	Workshop: Summary Critique critique points critique structure
29		10/30 W	Module 3.5 Peer Perception -Sign-up for conferences (Can do this today or in the next class)	Due: Informal Outline or Draft of Summary Critique
30		11/1 F	Multipurpose Day -Introduce Unit 4 Objectives -Library Day
31		11/4 M	INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES (NO CLASS)	Due: Bring draft Summary Critique and self-review sheet
Unit 4: Oral Presentation
32		11/6 W	INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES (NO CLASS)	Due: Bring draft Summary Critique and self-review sheet
33		11/8 F	Module 4.1 Presentation Organization and Structure Assign: Oral Presentation Assignment
34		11/11 M	Module 4.2.1 Visual Aids: Content	Due: Final draft Summary Critique Hmwk Due: Individual Presentation Outline
35		11/13 W	Presentation Workshop	Hmwk Due: Individual Presentation Content
36		11/15 F	Module 4.2.2 Visual Aids: Design
37		11/18 M	Module 4.3 Presentation Delivery Assign: Reflection #2	Hmwk Due: Individual Presentation Design
38		11/20 W	Student Presentations
39		11/22 F
	THANKSGIVING BREAK—NO CLASSES 11/23 – 12/1				All papers need to be submitted to compass SafeAssign
40		12/2 M	Student Presentations
41		12/4 W	Student Presentations
42		12/6 F	Student Presentations
43		12/9 M	Review Activity Discussion/Advice on ESL 501 ICES	*Due: Reflection #2 on presentation *Due: 12 Writer's Help Exercises *These assignments are due by Wed 12/11 before 10:00 am

ESL 500: Oral and Written Communication

Spring 2013

Class: ESL 500 (Z1 and N1)                                                  Instructor: Betsy Divine

Time: B1: M/W/F- 9:00-9:50                                                 Office: FLB 2021

Website: esl500b1-divine.blogspot.com                                Office hours: 10:00 – 12:00 W

Overview: This is the first course in a two-course sequence for international graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is an all-skills course with both writing and oral components designed to help students succeed in an English-medium academic environment. The primary focus is on paragraph development and organization of American academic writing. Students also practice reading strategies for research articles from different disciplines through summarizing and synthesizing practices. Strategies for avoiding plagiarism and APA style citation will be introduced and practiced with source-based writing assignments. As final projects, students will produce a written critique of a research article and an oral critique of a research object from their discipline.

Grade Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

Letter grades are based on performance of students on class assignments and participation in class. A passing grade for this course is a grade of “B-” or higher. Grades are recorded as S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) on the student transcript, but instructors will grade on a letter grade scale throughout the semester.

Your grade will be made up of the following components:                                      

Diagnostic Essay Process Assignment	20%
Summary & Synthesis Paragraphs Portfolio (4 paragraphs)	15%
Summary Critique Essay (3-5 pages)	20%
Critique Oral Presentation	15%
Participation & Attendance (in-class activities)	20%
2 Reflective Assignments	5%
Writer’s Help eBook Exercises (TBA)	5%

Required textbook: Writer’s Help eBook

The required textbook for this course is an eBook (online textbook) called Writer’s Help. This handbook will be used throughout the course and will serve as a significant resource in three ways: to help you prepare for class, to provide you with extra help, and to offer you practice exercises for independent study. Because it’s an online textbook, you can access it on any computer with your individual username and password.

Please purchase the “access code” for this book by the 2^nd day of class. You can purchase a physical access code card with a free student guide at the UIUC Bookstore, OR you can purchase a virtual access code on the Writer’s Help website at: http://pages.mail.bfwpub.com/WritersHelp/Student_Ordering_Info/ Please note that you may purchase either 2-year or 4-year access at your own preference.

Student Assessment: There will be no final exam for this course. Your written assignments will be graded on organization, content, conventions and vocabulary/style. All writing assignments are due at the assigned time, and late papers will be penalized. We will employ a process method for completing papers, and you can expect to revise your drafts one or more times before it is considered “done” and ready to be graded.

Course Management System: The course website can be found at: esl500a-divine.blogspot.com. All assignment and homework information will be posted here. You will be submitting all of your own work electronically via dropbox. All essays will be due electronically on the due date by 11:59 p.m.

Student Participation: This is an ENGLISH language class. Everyone is here to improve his/her language skill. You must therefore stick to speaking in ENGLISH at all times in the classroom. You are also not allowed to use any electronic devices (e.g. laptops, cell phones) while lectures or activities are in progress. Violating this rule will result in confiscation of your device until the class is over. Frequent violation of these classroom policies will result in a 0-point mark for your participation grade.

Homework and reading assignments may be given daily. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss homework and readings. Participation in class discussions and activities is expected and will contribute to the final grade—this includes encouraging the participation of others. A grade of zero will be given to all work missed due to an unexcused absence. Late homework within 48 hours may not be accepted or will be marked down. Work will not be accepted and receive a zero if it is more than 48 hours past the due date. 

If you have troubles completing assignments, you need to contact me with sufficient time prior to the due date for assistance and not after the due date. 

Attendance Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

Students are required to attend all classes. If, for some reason, you must be absent, please contact the instructor before class. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL NOTES AND ASSIGNMENTS. Two tardies (times late) count as one absence, no matter if it's 1 minute or 10. If you are tardy more than 20 minutes, it counts as an absence. After three absences, you will receive a verbal warning from the instructor. After four absences, the ESL Writing Director will be notified and you will receive a formal probation warning. After 5 absences, you may fail the course. Remember, students who are chronically absent or late are in danger of failing the course at the director’s discretion.

Plagiarism Policy for the ESL Writing Service Courses:

One of the main goals in this course is to teach you how to avoid plagiarism and how to uphold academic integrity principles. As you know, the consequences of plagiarism are serious. Plagiarism is one type of academic dishonesty which may result in a student’s suspension or dismissal from the University. At the very least, it will result in a failing grade in the course at the director’s discretion. Therefore, the work you turn in for this class MUST BE YOUR OWN. Do not plagiarize or you will receive an F on the assignment and in the course!

All students will be required to submit their major assignments to the Compass 2g UIUC SafeAssignment database in accordance with campus policies and procedures regarding academic integrity, which are set forth in the Student Code at Article 1, Part 4 (http://admin.illinois.edu/policy/code/article1_part4_1-401.html).

Finally,

Communication and understanding are important elements of this class. If at any time you have questions about the course content or about your papers, please ask in class, communicate with me by email, or make an appointment to see me. I will do my best to be available and responsive.

To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible. To contact DRES you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603 (V/TDD), or e-mail a message to disability@uiuc.edu