Vocabulary Puzzles

Hi Everyone,

Christina asked for some vocabulary puzzles, here is a good link to a website that has many excellent puzzles that will help build your vocabulary.

http://www.manythings.org/vocabulary/games/a/

Enjoy!

Bonnie

CASAS Prep

Hi My Former L5 Students;

As promised, I am posting some links so that you can practice for your CASAS exam next week.

Here's the links:

This is from CASAS. ORG:

http://casas.org/docs/pagecontents/samplereadleveld.pdf?Status=Master

This one is really helpful, from Milpitas Adult School:

http://www.milpitasvesl.com/2010/10/casas-test-prep-activities-for-reading.html

...and this link is helpful to work on specific areas, such as map reading and labels.

http://home.earthlink.net/~brekkmail/id35.html

Enjoy!

All the best,

Bonnie

L5A Noun + Prepositions

Hi my beautiful L5A class;

Per your request, here is a link to a website that has a good list of nouns + prepositions.

http://www.myenglishgrammar.com/list-11-prepositions/427-prepositions-after-nouns.html

Here are some exercises using nouns + prespositions:

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1407

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep5.htm

http://www.grammar-test.englet.com/noun-preposition

Yay!

Teacher Bonnie

L5A Relative Clauses Definitions and Exercises

Hi Level 5A;

Here is a link to exercises and explanations of relative clauses.

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/relative-clauses

http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/relativeclause.htm

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/relative-clauses-defining-relative-clauses

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/relative-clauses-exercise-4.html

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Hello Level 5A Class! Welcome to Fall Semester, 2014!

Hi Class;

Welcome to a new semester!  Below is the syllabus for the course, which you will also get in class.

This blog is updated frequently by me with posts containing links to lessons and/or more information about topics and grammar points covered in class.  There is a endless stream of information online to enhance your ESL skills. You should take advantage of all that's available to improve your English communication skills.

I'm very excited to meet you and assist you in advancing your English language learning.

Best,
Bonnie C.

Course Information Sheet
English as a Second Language, ESL 1065A, Level 5A
CRN #3308 August 25 – October 16
CRN #3107 October 20 – December 11

Fall 2014

Instructor: B. Cheeseman, M.Ed.
E-mail: BLCheeseman@pasadena.edu
Class Blog: http://myeslclass.blogspot.com

Class Schedule:    Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am-10:50 am, B-3
Instructor’s Mailbox:  PCC-CEC Administration Office, Room 102

Course 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 108 hours lecture.    

Required Textbooks:  Viewpoint 1, Student’s Book. ISBN #978-0-521-131-865
Viewpoint 1, Workbook. ISBN #978-1-107-602-779
(Cambridge University Press, authors: McCarthy, McCarten & Sandiford.)

Students are required to purchase textbooks. Textbooks can be purchased at PCC bookstore.

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

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

Attendance Procedures:
This course is open-entry, open-exit.  Students may be dropped at the discretion of the instructor due to first day absence and/or excessive absences.  Students may be added to the course at any time during the semester.

Student Learning Outcomes (ESL 1065A, Level 5A):
1. Listening / Speaking: Collaborate with others with increasing fluency in various types of conversation
2. Reading: Choose reading strategies to interpret print and digital content.
3. Writing: Formulate and convey meaning by writing paragraphs with sophisticated syntax and organization.

The US Citizenship Quiz :)

Hi Class;

Here is the link to the US Citizenship practice exam, per your request:

http://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/quiz/learners/study-test/study-materials-civics-test/naturalization-self-test-1

Enjoy!

Bonnie

L4 Class Extra Activities

Hi L4;

Here are some fun activities:

Go to Venture Arcade, Level 4, complete the exercises:

http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/

Also, there are some fun ESL activities at this website:
http://a4esl.org/a/c3.html

Or, do the fun activities from this website:

http://www.manythings.org/


Have fun!

Bonnie

Level 4 & 5: How to give excellent PPT Presentations

Hi Class;

Here is a link to giving an effective PowerPoint presentation.

Good luck!!!

http://core.arhp.org/pdf/Using-PowerPoint-in-Oral-Presentations.pdf

Teacher Bonnie

Level 4 Warm-up Exercise

Hi Level 4 Students;

Here is your warm-up lesson for today from Ventures 4:

Student interview

A) Answer the questions about yourself.

Ask your partner the questions. Write your partner’s answers in your notebook.

1. Have you ever lied to your parents?
2. Do you exercise weekly?
3. Do you have a cell phone?
4. Have you ever stayed out all night?
5. Have you ever gone on a date with a chaperone?
6. Have you ever copied another student’s test?
7. Do you eat fast food often?
8. Do you have a tattoo?

B) Choose three things that surprised you about your partner. Ask your partner
questions to learn more. Then write a paragraph about your partner. Do not write
your partner’s name.

C) Work in a group. Read your paragraph out loud. The other people in your group
guess who your paragraph is about.

Yay!
Teacher Bonnie

LEVEL 4 & LEVEL 5 FINAL PRESENTATION PROJECT

Hello, Students! 

FINAL PRESENTATION PROJECT

On Monday, August 4th through Wednesday, August 6th, you will give your Final Presentation to your class.

Your final project should be of interest and importance to you and this should reflect in your presentation. Use your speaking skills learned in class.

►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, talk, perform, or….?

►Possible Presentation Materials:

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

►Time:  5 Minutes

GOOD LUCK!

Level 4 - Ventures Arcade Practice Unit 3

Hi L4 Class;

Follow the link to Ventures Arcade for extra practice on Unit 3.  Look for your Level, Level 4 (purple) and complete the exercises.
http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/venturesadulted/venturesarcade/

You can also find Ventures Arcade link in the navigation bar on the right >>>>> so that you can practice anytime.

Yay!
Teacher Bonnie

L4 Practice

Here are some practice lessons:

L4 Exercises

Here are some exercises for L4 Unit 2 Review:

Level 4 - Direct and Indirect Questions

Hi Level 4 Class;

Here are some helpful websites on Direct and Indirect Questions:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/indirectques.html

http://www.e-grammar.org/indirect-question/test1-exercise1/

http://www.autoenglish.org/questions/gr.indirect.i.htm

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/questions2/menu.php

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Level 5 - Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

Hi Level 5 Class;

Here are some websites to help you learn defining and non-defining relative clauses:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/relative-clauses-non-defining-relative-clauses

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/645/03/

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/relative-clauses/exercises?04

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

LEVEL 4 - Supposed to/Not supposed to Exercises

Hi Level 4 Class;

Here are some great websites with exercises on the grammar point "supposed to" and "not supposed to":

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/suppose2/menu.php

http://www.cristinacabal.com/intermediate/besupposedto1.htm

... and a video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-UH9RkvwYY

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

LEVEL 4 MORE PASSIVE VOICE EXERCISES

Here you go, Level 4;

http://eslseveneight.blogspot.com/p/passive-voice-exercises.html

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Level 4 Noun Clauses - Review

Hi Level 4;

Here is a review of noun clauses, follow the links:

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-noun-clauses1.html

http://www.eslgold.com/grammar/noun_clauses.html

http://www.grammarbank.com/noun-clauses.html

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Level 4 Class: Passive Voice Exercises

Hi Level 4 Class;

Here are some Passive Voice Exercises, follow the link(s):

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/active-passive.html

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-passive-voice-exercise2.html

Best,

Teacher Bonnie

Level 5 Reported speech: links to exercises

Hi L5 Class:

Here are some links to websites that have grammar exercises on using reported speech.

http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/tm-reported1.html

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/reported-speech-exercises.html

http://esl.about.com/od/esl-worksheets/a/Reported-Speech-Worksheet.htm

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

ESL Class L4 What's your primary intelligence(s)?

Hi Class!

Happy Monday!  What is your primary intelligence(s)? Take the test and find out.  Go to:

http://www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Expressing opinions in English

Hi Class,

Here are some links to good websites that give clear examples of expressions we use in English to talk about our opinions:
http://esl.about.com/od/conversationlessonplans/a/debate3.htm

http://eslchestnut.com/2012/01/15/expressing-opinions-in-english/

http://english-tonight.com/18-ways-to-state-your-opinion-in-english/

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Rhetorical Speech and the Food Revolution!

Hi Class,

Here's a link to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, where he works with a small town to change their unhealthy school lunch program into a healthy one. The town, in West Virginia had been declared "The unhealthiest town in America".  Isn't that amazing? Who wouldn't want to eat healthier? Watch the video and see the resistance against healthy eating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaIbvmcpSEk

Then, follow the links to more explanation of the rhetorical form.

http://www.englishgrammar.org/rhetorical-questions/

and...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R61zsouummI


Best,
Teacher Bonnie

Welcome to Level 5 - PCC-CEC Summer Session!

Hi Class!

Welcome!

Here's the link to the youtube video on Phrasal Verbs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHwxdtT302I

and another link...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfJUpbxB8cQ

Here are links for Infinitives and - ING Verbs

ING Verbs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLA4SrKYMkY

Infinitives and Gerunds:

...this is fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKfEG9IqTeQ

This is about Infinitives and Gerunds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlx0uiAR8a4

Enjoy!!!!

See you in class!

- Teacher Bonnie

The PCC-CEC Bridge Program Handbook (Guide and Information)

Hello My Fabulous Students;

I have written an information book about transferring to college from the ESL program and how to do that, it includes vocabulary and definitions that we use when going to college and registering for classes. Of course, the book is free, if you would like a copy let me know. Also, I will try to upload it on this page soon.

Best,
Bonnie C.

Get your daily idiom!

Hi Class,

Here is a link to the BBC Learning English website which features a new idiom to learn everyday.  This can help you learn new expressions and meanings through a dialog that includes the new idiom.

Yay!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2014/03/140325_tews_168_brush_over.shtml

PCC CEC L5A - Are you happy?

Hi Class!

Happy Monday!  Here's a video you can't miss. It will chase the Monday morning blues away.

Get happy!

youtu.be/p81Qpr8yy2w

Nouns + prepositions! Oh my!

Hi My Fabulous Students:

This week we are studying nouns plus prepositions that they take.  How do you know what noun goes with which preposition? It is a learned skill. Reading is always the best way to develop easy recognition of nouns and their appropriate prepositions as reading will expose you to this and other grammar points in a repeated and meaningful way.

Here's some websites that give more information on this topic:

http://www.bedava-ingilizce.com/prepositions/noun_pre.htm


http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv212.shtml

...And here's an exercise:

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/399.html

Enjoy!

Your Teacher, Bonnie

Relative clauses, the media, best commercials and more!!!

Hi Class,

This week we are studying various clauses, such as defining and non-defining relative clauses.

Here's a youtube video that will help explain more about relative clauses, as a review of what we've learned in class:

How to Use Relative Clauses

In Chapter 2 of our book we are studying English through the context of Media.  Here are some of the best television commercials that aired during the Superbowl last year.

Best "Big Game" Commercials

Yay!
Bonnie

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Hi Class,

Monday we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  He was a powerful civil rights leader and activist. He believed in peaceful protest. His leadership changed America by advancing equal rights in the US. Without the actions of the civil rights movement under his leadership, you would not be in this ESL class today, there probably would not be ESL classes at community colleges for free if it were not for MLK.

Here is a short video on his life and work.

http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086

What do you think about his leadership?  How does the civil rights movement of the 1960s affect you today? Think about it...

Best,
Teacher Bonnie