Class: 4 hours/week
Lab: 2 hours/week
Some or all of the following methods will be used:
- whole-class instruction
- large and small group discussion
- pair work on tasks
- computer-assisted learning
- instructor feedback
- revision of submitted work
- independent research
- lab-assistant led reading and listening tasks
Throughout the process of preparing for a range of college assignments, students will receive instruction in skills and strategies in the following areas:
Reading and Listening Skills
- Take notes, write an outline, and paraphrase the main ideas and supporting arguments of written texts (such as articles, sections of texts, short stories, and reports) and spoken texts (such as academic lectures, presentations, discussions, speeches, or films) on relevant and current global issues such as environmental issues, economic disparity, food production and distribution, and issues in health care.
- Preview written texts (scan any headings, sections, pictures, graphs) to predict content.
- Listen for gist (overall theme and main ideas) in spoken texts.
- Identify and interpret main ideas (implicit and/or explicit) and detailed information in written and spoken texts.
- Summarize information and ideas from the written and spoken texts to clarify and confirm understanding.
- Locate and compare relevant information across written and/or spoken texts.
- Identify the topic and find and integrate 3-4 pieces of information in formatted texts such as graphs and tables (which may be visually complex and contain pieces of information organized in sections with subsections) in both written and spoken texts that include visual support.
- Respond to short-answer questions based on the information in written and spoken texts.
- Identify rhetorical patterns in written texts.
- Identify phrases and sentences that mark topic introduction, development, and conclusion for both written and spoken texts.
- Identify relevant and credible written and spoken source materials, including websites and library databases.
- Recognize the audience, purpose, and tone of each written and spoken text.
- Identify mood, attitude, and emotional states from tone and intonation in spoken texts.
- Determine the meanings of a range of concrete, abstract, and specialized vocabulary, idiomatic language, and collocations related to global issues, using context clues and standard reference materials such as dictionaries and thesauri.
- Identify cultural references in texts, and develop awareness of differences in the general features of culture and associated world views.
Study Skills
Take responsibility for:
- Attendance and punctuality
- Class work and assignments
- Participation and teamwork
Use common software to communicate and to complete information management tasks such as word processing assignments, sending emails, or signing in to an online learning management system.
By the end of this course, successful students will
Reading and Listening Skills
- Understand and annotate moderately complex written texts (excerpts from textbooks, news articles, and short stories or poetry) that are up to 4 pages in length and related to problems and solutions associated with global issues.
- Understand and take notes on informal or semi-formal oral reports, videos, presentations, and lectures that are up to 20 minutes in length and related to global issues.
- Understand and take notes on group interactions such as discussions and interviews that are up to 20 minutes in length and related to global issues.
- Interpret information about global issues contained in moderately complex formatted texts such as tables, graphs, diagrams and website navigation menus.
- Complete assigned reading and listening tasks to a required level of mastery.
Study Skills
- Assess own progress.
- Participate effectively in a college classroom.
Student achievement will be measured using formative assessment tools and the mastery system in accordance with College policy. Students will receive ongoing feedback from the instructor throughout the course. Evaluation will be based on learning outcomes and course content. Mastery will be granted to students who achieve an average of at least 70% on the portfolio items listed below. Evaluation will include, but need not be limited to, the following tasks:
-A collection of both practice and graded outlines and annotations of paraphrased main ideas and key details for at least 2-3 written texts of up to 4 pages in length and for at least 2-3 spoken texts of up to 20 minutes in length that discuss problems, solutions to, and different perspectives on several global issues. At least 1 of the outlines must include an explanation of a graph or table.
-At least 1 final group project of up to 30 minutes in length (15 minutes for a presentation; 15 minutes for discussion questions and/or an interactive activity), taken from the project bank, that demonstrates understanding of the problems and possible solutions to one of the topics from the collection of annotated assignments. Presentations should show different perspectives of the issue. Possible projects might be:
- A group seminar
- A group multi-media presentation (such as a whiteboard animation)
- Creating and presenting an infographic
-At least 1 in-class reading quiz and 1 in-class listening quiz to demonstrate mastery of skills (such as annotating, distinguishing between main ideas and details, recognizing the audience, purpose, and tone, identifying appropriate sources, using a dictionary, inferring implied meanings, or interpreting graphs and tables).
-A final exam to demonstrate mastery of reading and listening skills (comprehensive or selective).
-A complete record of weekly assigned lab tasks such as reading circles, listening practice, and discussion.
-At least 1 self-assessment of learning strategies, progress, and study skills (to be discussed with the instructor).
Sample grade breakdown:
A collection of outlines worth up to 15% (total)
A group presentation worth up to 25%
Two quizzes worth up to 20% (total)
A final exam worth up to 10%
Participation worth up to 10%
Lab assignments worth up to 10%
Self-assessment worth up to 10%
Total: 100%
Students may be required to purchase one or more of the following:
- coursepacks
- lab software
- a dictionary such as Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
- textbooks at the CEFR B2+ level such as Oxford Culture Link 3 - Global Focus: Integrated Skills Through Cultural Events, Cengage National Geographic Learning 21st Century Reading 4 (with TED Talks), Reading and Vocabulary Focus 4, Reading Explorer 5, or Listening and Notetaking Skills 2.
ELLA 0220 or ELLA Assessment
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