Sunday, October 27, 2013

Saudi Women Driving? What do you think?

Hi Everyone!

Here are some very interesting videos on the controversy in SA about driving. I am presenting some information on the subject, but I have no opinion as to whether SA women should drive as it is not my country, and it is a complex situation. (However, if you could lend me your driver for a week, that would feel like the best vacation, ever!!!)

This is an SA comedian (who is influenced by Bob Marley) doing his own rendition of "No Women, No Drive":

http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/no-woman--no-drive--saudi-comedian-releases-musical-protest-on-women-driving-ban-170757345.html?vp=1

Nevertheless, here's a music video by a young female singing artist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Dbam4l-kY

The lyrics of her song make some interesting points:

"Call all the ladies out, their in their finery, 100 jewels on the roads, 100 jewels between...no bring more girls in...the skin is like the moon...the moon we love like a brother...dancing around the rights we owe...

"...we live in cities you'll never see on the silver screen. Not very pretty, but we sure know how to drive free, living in ruins within the palace of our dreams. You know we're on each others' team...

What do you think?

1)  Do you think that driving is a women's right, or is it a government's right to protect women from what they feel is harmful?

2) What are the pros and cons of driving?

3) Does the act of driving mean freedom?


Friday, September 20, 2013

Grammar Class, Yay! TGIF!

Hi Class,

CEC ESL Students


Here's a short animation video that I made for today's lesson on the past tense, hahahaha! Enjoy!

http://goanimate.com/videos/0gptvBh51XMI?utm_source=linkshare

You can create your own animation, why don't you try it using a grammar point or idea that you have learned in this class!  The free website is http://www.goanimate.com

Question for today: What does TGIF mean?

Best,
Bonnie

Monday, September 16, 2013

Grammar Website

Hello L5A and Grammar Class Students;

Here is a link to a really helpful, interactive grammar website.http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/

It can help you to better understand recent grammar points on the present perfect and present perfect continuous.

Yay!
Bonnie
Venice Canals, Venice Beach, CA 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

50th Anniversary of America's Most Important Speech - Welcome 5A!

Welcome to the L5A class blog! 

Today, August 28th, 2013 is the 50th Anniversary of the most famous speech of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech given on August 28th, 1963.

This is a 5 minute clip, the most famous part of his amazing speech, considered one of the most famous and important in US history.



...and...


Welcome to PCC ESL Level 5A

Syllabus

Pasadena City College
Community Education Center

English as a Second Language, ESL1065A, Level 5A, 
Fall 2013


Instructor: Bonnie Cheeseman

Location: 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA  91107
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am-10:50 am, CEC Bungalow (B-3)            
E-mailblcheeseman@pasadena.edu  
Blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.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, 2nd 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 or text 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.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Hello Level 5A,

Here is a link to the Voice of America. This is an excellent website to develop your listening and reading skills.  It really can help you increase your vocabulary and work on your pronunciation skills.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/section/level-two/3935.html

Today, your lesson is to go to the website and choose 1 or 2 stories (as time allows) to read and listen to. Then, complete this format on a separate piece of paper:

Website name:

Title of article/reading:

Author/Writer: (- found at the beginning or end of the article)

Summary: (Write a short paragraph with the key points/main idea of the story.)

Observation: (Your opinion of the article, what did you learn, what do you think of the information presented?)

Key Vocabulary: (Choose at least 3 vocabulary words that are new to you and find their definition.)

Be prepared to report-out to the class on one article on Monday and Tuesday.

Happy Thursday!
Bonnie
Why this picture of a praying mantis? Because it is unique and interesting, and inspires me to learn as there is so much I don't know about nature. Life is one long lesson. Learn to be inspired. 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

New Online Registration Procedures @PCC and PCC-CEC

Hi All,

Here is a link to the instructions for registering online.

http://cecpcc.weebly.com/

We will review the instructions in class.


Why a picture of a sundae? Because going to  school at PCC is a  privilege  and a treat! It's your future with a cherry on top! 
Yay!
Bonnie


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Welcome 5A!



Welcome to Extended Spring Session, L5A!

Here is the Course Information for this session:

Pasadena City College
Community Education Center

English as a Second Language, ESL1040A, Condensed , Level 5A Section 7662

Extended Spring+ 2013

Instructor:  Bonnie Cheeseman

Phone: (I'll give it to you in class.)

Location: 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA  91107
Hours:         Monday through Thursday
      7:30 am-10:30 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. Total of 72 lecture hours.        

Required Textbook:  Summit 1, 2nd 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

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).

Monday, March 11, 2013

Welcome to Spring Session, L5A, 2013!


COURSE INFORMATION SHEET
SPRING 2013

Course: English as a Second Language 1065A – Level 5 (8 week course)

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, 7:30a-10:40a

Required Texts/Materials: Summit 1 Text & Workbook, Second Edition,2012, Authors: Joan Saslow-Allen Ascher, Available at PCC Bookstore – Colorado Campus
Course Objectives:
Listening
Understanding conversation with native speakers with minimal repetition or rewording.
Satisfy most survival needs, i.e. shopping, visiting doctors, paying bills, etc.
Understanding some social demands i.e. oral directions, instructions, etc.
Communicate on the telephone on familiar topics.
Speaking
Participate in conversations on a variety of topics with minimum errors.
Reading
Understand printed material on familiar topics.
Use context clues to interpret the meaning of sentences or new vocabulary.
Writing
Can complete an order form.
Can fill out medical information forms and job applications.
Can write short personal notes and letters and make a simple log.
Language Forms
Use basic simple sentences and compound sentences correctly.
Use simple present, simple past, simple future, and continuous verb tenses correctly with some awareness of the present and past perfect forms.
Language Functions
Analyze, evaluate, and/or restate intended meanings from oral conversations.
Express values, express judgment.
Compromise, negotiate or bargain.
Culture
Demonstrate appropriate cultural behavior.
Contrast attitudes in different cultures toward behaviors such as winking, whistling, maintaining appropriate social distance.
Computer-Assisted Instruction
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.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The power of friendship and chocolate!

On the subject of philanthropy...

In Unit 3, we are studying non-profit organizations and philanthropy.  Here is a beautiful story of a young boy who is raising money for his very sick friend so a cure can be found for his disease. Dylan Siegel, 7, wrote a book called "The Chocolate Bar Book" - profit from the sales go to research that will hopefully lead to healing his friend, Jonah.

http://www.chocolatebarbook.com/

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/02/26/boy-7-raises-more-than-30000-for-sick-friend/

What would you do to help your best friend or family member?

What do you think of this charitable organization?

Do you know of similar stories?

What more can be done to help raise money for sick children with rare diseases in the US?

What do people do in your country when someone is ill and there is no cure?


- Bonnie

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Fun Facts

This weekend is Superbowl weekend, "the big game" in the National Football League.

Most Americans watch the game, and often, they watch them for the commercials because they are very funny and made especially for this day.  Sponsors spend huge amounts of money to produce these commercials and to have a commercial during the game on tv costs an avg of 3.5 million dollars according to ESPN (see article on ESPN)

Here is a link to the greatest Superbowl commercials for 2012, last year:
Best Superbowl Commercials, 2012

Also, today is Jackie Robinson's birthday, he was a great baseball player and the first black baseball player in professional sports. He attended PCC and UCLA!  A great man and a great athlete.

Follow the links to learn about Jackie Robinson:

First African American to play pro ball:

What Jackie Robinson means to the game of baseball today:#42

Have a great weekend!

- Bonnie

Monday, January 28, 2013

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

My Summit 1

Here is a link to the Summit 1 Lab:

http://www.myenglishlab.com/

I will show you how to access your account.

Best,
Bonnie

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Welcome to ESL Level 5A!


Welcome to PCC ESL Level 5A

Syllabus

Pasadena City College
Community Education Center

English as a Second Language, ESL1065A, Level 5A, Section 7142 and 7128

Spring 2013


Instructor: Bonnie Cheeseman, 310.480.7121  (text preferred)

Location: 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA  91107
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am-10:50 am, CEC Bungalow (B-3)            
E-mailenglish4work@yahoo.com    
Blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.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 TextbookSummit I, 2nd 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 or text 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.

Quizlet Link & Study Guide

Hi L4 Class, Here is a link to join Quizlet when we use this website in class and work on our vocabulary. Click here:  Quizlet Vocabular...