Final Presentations - Level 5

It's that time of year again, yay!!!

Final Presentations!

Tuesday, December 10th through December 12th, our CEC Level 5 class will give their Final Presentation to the class. (If you want to present earlier, Thursday, December 6th is an option.)

Your final project should be of interest and importance to you and this should reflect in your presentation.

You may work with a partner or in a team as long as you commit to do your part of the assignment.

Choose one of the following activities to present to your class:

►Possible Topics and Activities:

1) Tell us about your country.

2) Tell us about your career choice.

3) Tell us about your favorite hero, musician, singer, actor, writer, friend, or….?

4) Tell us about your favorite hobby.

5) Show us your talent: dance, sing, jump, cook, talk, perform, or….?


►Possible Presentation Materials:

You should have pictures, music, maps, PowerPoint, or some kind of realia (something to show) to enhance your presentation.

Future Perfect and Intention

Hi Class,

Here are some links to the future perfect:

http://www.really-learn-english.com/future-perfect-exercises.html

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/futureperfect.html

To show future intention, here's some websites:

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/infinitive2a.html

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

UCLA ALC L100 Reading and Discussion Class

Welcome to UCLA ALC Reading and Discussion Class!  Here is a video that explains the rules of the class.

Enjoy!  Have a great 10 weeks! Yay!

Noun Clauses - oh, yeah!

Hi My Fabulous L5 Class!

Here's a really good explanation of noun clauses.  Follow the link to the video.

Yay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hn-iv-s3Ak&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Have a great weekend!

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Hello Fall Level 5 Class:

We are studying in the Summit 1 book from Pearson.  Follow this link to register for additional online lessons, you will need an access code from the book that you purchased.

Go to:

http://www.myenglishlab.com/

This is "My English Lab" and it has lessons that accompany each Unit in our book.

For additional practice studying present perfect and present perfect continuous go to:

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.html

It has really great online lessons. Review the lesson and answer the questions at the end of the page.

Also, you can watch a video lesson on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4pvpBK01HI

Ok, my fabulous students, go for it!

Best,
Bonnie

Welcome PCC CEC Level 5A, ESL, Fall 2012!

Welcome to Level 5A ESL Class!

It's a new, exciting semester!  Welcome to Level 5A.  Here is a course outline for our class.

Pasadena City College

Community Education Center

English as a Second Language 1065A, ESL Level 5A

Fall 2012

Section # 3308: August 27, 2012 - October 18, 2012

Section # 3107: October 22, 2012 – December 13, 2012

Instructor:                  Bonnie Cheeseman, 310.480.7121 (text message is preferred)

Location:                    3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA  91107

Hours:                         Monday through Thursday

                                    7:30 am-10:50 am

                                    CEC Bungalow (B-3)            

E-mail:                        english4work@yahoo.com    

Instructor’s Mailbox:  CEC Administration Office, Room 102

Description:   

Development of high-intermediate English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to meet many life and work-related demands.  Emphasis is on reducing miscommunication through the correct use of grammatical functions and content organization.          

Required Textbook:  Summit I, 2^nd Edition with ActiveBook and MyEnglishLab

                                   Saslow and Ascher  ISBN #978-01-326-798-62                             

Textbook is required and may be purchased at the                                      PCC Bookstore

Canvas (PCC’s course management system) is used.                               

Attendance Policy

A student is allowed to be absent four times.  At that time, the student will be dropped from ESL 1065A and can then register for the ESL Project Lab (Civic 3035) to continue studying ESL.  The student must repeat ESL 1065A during a future term in order to advance to the next level, ESL1065B.  Students must notify the teacher ahead of time when possible (for example tell the instructor, tell a classmate, or call the administration office @ (626) 585-3000 and leave a message for the instructor). 

Evaluation Policy:

• ESL Appraisal Assessment ………………………………………….… Diagnostic Test
• CASAS Pre Test …………………………………………………………….... Required
• CASAS Post Test ………………………………………………………….…. Required
• Quiz after each unit is required to evaluate student’s understanding and comprehension of each unit’s content (listening, grammar, and reading/comprehension).

Office Hours for Students

Office hours after class are scheduled by the instructor. Instructor will inform students of the dates, times, and location.

Student Performance Objectives ESL Level 5A

1.1  Re-articulate comprehension of scripted language heard multiple times or with rewording.

1.2  Politely request and provide clarification in conversations.

1.3  Converse with some errors in casual and formal discourse.

1.4  Decipher meaning from conversations or presentations containing miscommunication.

2.1 Demonstrate reading strategies: skimming, scanning, previewing, predicting.

2.2 Use context clues to interpret the meaning of sentences or new vocabulary.

2.3 Locate key phrases in print media and practice using different online search functions for digital media.

3.1 Use complex sentences with accurate tense combinations to direct flow of well-organized paragraphs.

3.2 Use clear introductions, supporting detail, transitions and closings to organize paragraphs.

3.3 Respond in writing to classmates’ notes, letters, journal entries and short summaries.

Student Learning Outcomes ESL Level 5A

1. Discuss with increased fluency in various types of conversations.

2. Demonstrate reading strategies for interpreting print and digital media.

3. Convey meaning effectively by writing paragraphs with sophisticated syntax and

    organization.

Using Gerunds

Hello IECP Class!

Here are some grammar websites that have excellent lessons on gerunds as we practiced yesterday, follow the links. See you Thursday!

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-gerunds.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/index.htm

http://a4esl.org/q/f/z/zz97mkm.htm

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

My favorite pop songs - Summer 2012

Hi Class,

In Summit 1, Unit 2 we are studying music and related vocabulary. Here are some of my favorite current pop songs from singing artists Adele and Gotye.

What are your favorite songs? Do you understand the lyrics (words)?

Adele - Rollin' in the Deep



Gotye - Somebody that I used to know



Bring your favorite songs to class and share them with us. Tell us about the song and why you like it?  Do you like the melody, or the lyrics or both?  What music style is it?

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Happy Fourth of July!

Hi Students!

Happy 4th of July!  Here are some links to explain the history of the holiday and the birth of the United States.  Additionally, there is a fun video on how to celebrate the Fourth!

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie 

 History of the Fourth of July
 Fourth of July BBQ!

Level 5 Syllabus Summer 2012

Welcome to Level 5, Summer, 2012!

Hello Class,

This is our class blog.  We have access to links on the right side of the page, they supplement the topics and grammar points that we cover in class. Additionally, I will post information relevant to class discussions, questions and points that might need further clarification.

Below is the class syllabus.

I look forward to a great summer!

All the best,

Teacher Bonnie

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

SUMMER 2012

Course:           English as a Second Language 1031A – Level 5 (Condensed)

Description:

High Intermediate English proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to meet academic, lifeskills, and work-related demands with little problem. Emphasis is on increased use of grammatical functions to prepare students for improved academic success at both high school and college levels.

Location:         3035 East Foothill Blvd.

                       Pasadena, CA.

Instructor:         Bonnie Cheeseman, MEd

Contact Information: english4work@yahoo.com

                                Class blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.com

Hours:   Monday – Thursday, 8am-12:30pm

Required Texts/Materials:          Summit 1 Text & Workbook, Second Edition,2012

                                                      Authors: Joan Saslow-Allen Ascher

                                                      Available at PCC Bookstore – Colorado Campus

Course Objectives:

Listening

Ø  Understanding conversation with native speakers with minimal repetition or rewording.

Ø  Satisfy most survival needs, i.e. shopping, visiting doctors, paying bills, etc.

Ø  Understanding some social demands i.e. oral directions, instructions, etc.

Ø  Communicate on the telephone on familiar topics.

Speaking

Ø  Participate in conversations on a variety of topics with minimum errors.

Reading

Ø  Understand printed material on familiar topics.

Ø  Use context clues to interpret the meaning of sentences or new vocabulary.

Writing

Ø  Can complete an order form.

Ø  Can fill out medical information forms and job applications.

Ø  Can write short personal notes and letters and make a simple log.                                                                                   

Ø  Use basic simple sentences and compound sentences correctly.

Ø  Use simple present, simple past, simple future, and continuous verb tenses correctly with some awareness of the present and past perfect forms.

Language Functions

Ø  Analyze, evaluate, and/or restate intended meanings from oral conversations.

Ø  Express values, express judgment.

Ø  Compromise, negotiate or bargain.

Culture

Ø  Demonstrate appropriate cultural behavior.

Ø  Contrast attitudes in different cultures toward behaviors such as winking, whistling, maintaining appropriate social distance.

Computer-Assisted Instruction

Ø  Use appropriate level ESL software in the ESL Lab.

Attendance Policy

Four consecutive absences can result in student being dropped.  However, the instructor may allow limited excused absences as required.  Students must notify the instructor ahead of time when possible.   Explain absence to the instructor when you return. CEC Administration & Records maintains the official attendance policy.

Evaluation Policy:

Classroom participation........................................ 35%

Tests.................................................................... 35%
Attendance........................................................... 30%

Office Hours: Students may request an appointment or see instructor after class.

Sitcoms, Level 5, Unit 5

Hi L5 Students,

In Unit 5 we are studying Television and Reading, here is a link that discusses the top 20 sitcoms, situation-comedies of the past 20 years.



http://www.imdb.com/list/rGxtXiriRt0/

Have you ever seen any of these tv programs?  Do you like sitcoms? What is your favorite tv show from your country?

Best,
Bonnie

The Hope Diamond/Reported Speech

Hi to My L5 Class,

We are currently working on reported speech in the passive voice.  In our book there is a story on The Hope Diamond - what some people consider the most beautiful diamond in the world!  Watch the video and listen for reported speech in the passive voice, can you recognize the grammar structure?

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=136360

More questions about the report: 

1) Why is it called the Hope Diamond?  

2) What color is it and why? 

3) How much does it weigh?

4) Where was it found? 

5) Who owned it?  

6) How did it become part of the Smithsonian Institute's museum collection? 

7) Why is it considered "cursed", do you believe it?

Enjoy!

Best,

Teacher Bonnie

More on "ing" clauses :) L5

Hello Level 5 Class,


Please follow the link to more information about "ing" clauses.

http://www.eslmonster.com/article/ing-clauses

We are reviewing this grammar point in class, Unit 3.


Also, if you haven't seen this video already, please click on the link below to see a PBS profile on the Amish people, you may have to cut and paste the link into your browser. It is a really interesting biography about a very devote group of people that hold on to their traditions and values from hundreds of years ago.


http://video.pbs.org/video/2200745636/

Best,
Teacher Bonnie

Level 4 Passive Voice & Goals for Education

For My Level 4 ESL Class,


Today we are reviewing Unit 1 for a quiz next Saturday, April 7th. Also, we are continuing to work on Unit 2, in our Ventures 4 book.  On the right side of this page you will see a link to Ventures Arcade.  Click on the link and it will take you to Ventures 4, follow the link to Unit 1, then Unit 2.  Complete the exercises on Noun Clauses in Unit 1 and, in Unit 2, on the Passive Voice and Reading. 


When you finish the above exercises, think about this... 


The topic of Unit 2 is Student Success.  Have you discovered your passion for learning?  What is your goal for education?  What are your career goals? Life goals? 


Here are some student success quotes to help you think through the process:


For example:


"Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey
"Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." – W.B. Yeats


Please follow the link for more inspirational quotes on learning:

http://conciselearning.com/studentsuccessquotes.html


Be prepared to share your goals with the class.

Also, have you thought about transferring into the Credit ESL classes on main campus? The next meeting is on Tuesday, April 10th, please ask me for further details. 


Best,
Teacher Bonnie

The Amish

Hello Class,

Please click on the link below to see a PBS profile on the Amish people, you may have to cut and paste the link into your browser. It is a really interesting biography about a very devote group of people that hold on to their traditions and values from hundreds of years ago.



http://video.pbs.org/video/2200745636/

Best,

Teacher Bonnie

Cleft Sentences: What are they?

Hi Level 5 Class,

We are currently reviewing Cleft Sentence structures which give emphasis to the focus of your sentence.

For more information, follow the links, you might have to cut and paste them into your browser:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12881488/Cleft-SentencesExercises

http://esl.about.com/od/grammarstructures/a/g_emphasis.htm

What we need is to study more! Lol!

What I need is a good vacation. :)

Best,

Teacher Bonnie

Welcome to Spring Semester, Level 5!

Welcome to your ESL Level 5 Class at PCC-CEC!

English-as-a-Second Language can be interesting, fun and exciting. Learning English fluency will open doors to furthering your education and career goals. I am privileged to be part of your learning experience.

Here are some of what's happening this spring:

1) Location and Hours: Class is in Bungalow 3 also known as Portable 3. We start at 8am and finish class at 11:20am, our break is at 9:20am for 20 minutes. We meet Monday through Thursday.

2) Our book this semester is Passages 2 - See the syllabus for details.

3) We have a webpage for our class only. It is accessible on the PCC homepage, look in the left hand column and go to:

Login: Online Classes (https://bb-pcc.blackboard.com/)

You will need your PCC log-in ID.

4) If you plan on transferring to PCC credit class, be sure to become part of the Bridge Program. We will discuss more about this in class.

All the best for an exciting semester,

Teacher Bonnie

Here is the course description and information:

Course Information Sheet: Spring 2012

Course: English as a Second Language ESL 1031, Level 5, Section 7142

Description:
Advanced English proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to meet most life and work-related demands with little problem. Emphasis is on increased use of grammatical functions to prepare students for greater academic success at both high school and college levels.

Location: Community Education Center / Pasadena City College
3035 East Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA. 91107
Room number: B3 (Bungalow/Portable 3)

Instructor: Bonnie
Email: English4work@yahoo.com
Class Online: PCC Blackboard, Section 7142
Blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.com


Classroom Hours: 8:00 am to 11:20 am (break is 20 minutes)
Monday through Thursday
Class starts: February 21st through June 14th, 2012

Required Text: Passages 2: Student Book (ISBN # 978-0-521-68391-3)
Passages 2: Workbook (ISBN # 978-0-521-68393-7)

Evaluation Policy:
Classroom Participation 35%
Tests & Quizzes 25%
Attendance 30%
Homework 10%
Total 100%

TESTS:
• ESL Appraisal Assessment: Diagnostic Test
• CASAS Pre Test: Required
• CASAS Post Test: Required
• Quiz after each unit is required to evaluate student’s understanding and comprehension
• Student Projects and Presentations

Attendance Policy:
Four consecutive absences can result in student being dropped. However, the teacher may allow limited excused absences as required. Students must notify the teacher ahead of time when possible (for example tell the teacher, tell your classmate, or call the administration office @ (626) 585-3000 and leave a message for the instructor). Please, explain absence to your absence to your teacher.

The Passive Voice

Hi Class!

Welcome to your L5 blog!

This week we're studying the passive voice. Here are some notes edited from the very helpful University of North Carolina Writing Center, follow the "passive voice" link in the Grammar Websites list on the right side of this page, or cut and paste:
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/passivevoice


"Review: Defining the Passive Voice"

"A passive construction occurs when you make the object of an action into the subject of a sentence. That is, whoever or whatever is performing the action is not the grammatical subject of the sentence. Take a look at this passive rephrasing of a familiar joke:

Why was the road crossed by the chicken?

Who is doing the action in this sentence? The chicken is the one doing the action in this sentence, but the chicken is not in the spot where you would expect the grammatical subject to be. Instead, the road is the grammatical subject. The more familiar phrasing (why did the chicken cross the road?) puts the agent in the subject position, the position of doing something—the chicken (the agent/doer) crosses the road (the object). We use active verbs to represent that "doing," whether it be crossing roads, proposing ideas, making arguments, or invading houses (more on that shortly).

Once you know what to look for, passive constructions are easy to spot. Look for a form of "to be" (is, are, am , was, were, has been, have been, had been, will be, will have been, being) followed by a past participle. (The past participle is a form of the verb that typically, but not always, ends in "-ed." Some exceptions to the "-ed" rule are words like "paid" (not "payed") and "driven." (not "drived"). Here's a sure-fire formula for identifying the passive voice:
form of "to be" + past participle = passive voice

For example: The city has been burnt by the sun.

When her house was invaded, Penelope had to think of ways to delay her remarriage.

NOTE: Forms of "be" are not always passive: "be" can be the main verb of a sentence that describes a state of being, rather than an action. For example, the sentence "John is a good student" is not passive; "is" is simply describing John's state of being. The moral of the story: don't assume that any time you see a form of "have" and a form of "to be" together, you are looking at a passive sentence. "I have to be on time for the concert," for example, is not passive. Ask yourself whether there is an action going on in the sentence and, if so, whether whoever or whatever is doing that action is the subject of the sentence. In a passive sentence, the object of the action (e.g., the road) will be in the subject position at the front of the sentence. There will be a form of be and a past participle. If the subject appears at all, it will usually be at the end of the sentence, often in a phrase that starts with "by" (e.g., "by the chicken").

Let's briefly look at how to change passive constructions into active ones. You can usually just switch the word order, making the agent and subject one by putting the agent up front:

PASSIVE:

The city has been burnt by the sun.
...becomes...

ACTIVE:

The sun burned the city.

PASSIVE:

When her house was invaded, Penelope had to delay her marriage.
...becomes...

ACTIVE:

After the robbers invaded her house, Penelope had to delay her marriage.

To repeat, the key to identifying the passive voice is to look for both a form of "to be" and a past participle, which usually, but not always, ends in "-ed."

Clarity and meaning

The primary reason why your instructors frown on the passive voice is that they often have to guess what you mean. Sometimes, the confusion is minor. For example:
When her house was invaded, Penelope had to delay her marriage.
Like many passive constructions, this sentence lacks explicit reference to the agent—it doesn't tell the reader who or what invaded Penelope's house. The active voice clarifies things:

After the robbers invaded her house, Penelope had to delay her marriage.

Thus many instructors—the readers making sense of your writing—prefer that you use the active voice. They want you to specify who or what is doing the action. Compare the following two examples from an anthropology paper on a Laotian village to see if you agree.

(passive) A new system of drug control laws was set up. (By whom?)
(active) The Lao People's Revolutionary Party set up a new system of drug control laws."

That should help. Be sure to check the links to the right of this page for more exercises.

See you in class!

Bonnie C.

Welcome to PCC-CEC ESL L5 Class, Winter 2012!

Welcome Class!

Happy New Year!!!

Here is the class syllabus for Level 5. I will give you a copy in class, but you can refer to it here throughout the short semester.

Please note that the winter session is only 6 weeks, so it is quick, but we will learn a lot if you come every day, and focus on assignments. Additionally, you must buy the book, Transitions, student book and workbook as we use them everyday in class. You can purchase the books at the PCC main campus bookstore.

ESL can be fun as well as informative, I look forward to an exciting, short semester with you all.

Best,

Instructor Bonnie

Course Information Sheet
Winter 2012

Course: English as a Second Language ESL 1040A, Condensed, Level 5, Section 3002

Description:
Advanced English proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to meet most life and work-related demands with minimal challenges. Emphasis is on increased use of grammatical functions to prepare students for greater academic success at both high school and college levels.

Location: Community Education Center / Pasadena City College
Room number: CEC: B-3

Instructor: B. Cheeseman

Instructor Contact Information: english4work@yahoo.com

Classroom Hours: 8:00 am to 11:00 pm (break is 20 minutes)
Monday through Thursday
Class starts: January 9, through February 16, 2012

Student Books* - Ventures Transitions - Student Book:(ISBN # 978-0-512-18613-1)
Ventures Transitions – Workbook: (ISBN # 978-0-521-18614-8)
*Students are required to purchase textbooks

Student Blog & Blackboard On-line: http://myeslclass.blogspot.com and Blackboard on-line supplemental course content (information for student log-in given in class.)

Evaluation Policy:

Classroom Participation 35%
Tests & Quizzes 25%
Attendance 30%
Homework 10%
Total 100%

Tests:

• ESL Appraisal Assessment - Diagnostic Test
• CASAS Pre Test - Required
• CASAS Post Test - Required
• Quiz after each unit is required to evaluate student’s understanding and comprehension of each unit’s content (listening, grammar, and reading/comprehension).

Attendance Policy:
Four consecutive absences can result in student being dropped. However, the teacher may allow limited excused absences as required. Students must notify the teacher ahead of time when possible (for example tell the teacher, tell your classmate, or call the administration office: (626) 585-3000; and leave a message for your instructor). Please, explain absence to your instructor when you return to class.



Office Hours for Students:
Office Hours after class are scheduled by the Instructor. The instructor will inform students the date, time and location to meet with students.