ESL 99A - ESL for the Workplace I

1. Catalog Description:
The first course in the study of English for the workplace for students whose first language is other than English. Supplements language skills taught in ESL 96 and focuses on using English in business situations. Students will learn simple business vocabulary and basic writing skills, oral communication skills, and word processing skills. Offered on a Credit/No Credit basis only. Non-associate degree applicable.

2. Course Prerequisites
Advisory placement based on ESL assessment process or equivalent skills.

3. Course Objectives
The student will:

a. Learn basic business vocabulary and correctly use it in writing and listening/speaking activities.

b. Read and write simple business messages, memos, and letters.

c. Read and discuss the difference between various occupations and the skills necessary to pursue them.

d. Correctly use basic grammar skills described in the course content.

e. Make and receive basic business telephone calls to request or provide information.

f. Hold simple conversations and meetings in the present, past, and future tenses on business topics.

g. Describe his/her personal work history and write about future goals.

h. Send and reply to short emails

i. Use the computer to write simple business messages, memos, and letters.

4. Minimum Student Materials

a. texts
b. dictionary
c. writing materials
d. floppy disk

5. Minimum Instructional Facilities

a. Standard classroom with moveable chairs and blackboard.
b. Overhead projector and screen.
c. TV and VCR
d. Computer lab.

6. Course Content

a. Business vocabulary to include occupational names, language for comparing and contrasting of business situations, requesting information, apologizing,  telephone language, making appointments, and giving presentations.

b. Reading skills include comprehension of basic business passages with familiar content and language and using the passages to write memos/letters or hold             discussions.

c. Writing skills include completing a personal profile and creating basic business letters, memos, and faxes using standard business English.

d. Grammar skills include comprehension and usage of the present, present progressive, regular and irregular past, past progressive and future forms of verbs;   present forms of modals, prepositions of place, possessive nouns, and comparison adjectives in reading, writing, and listening/speaking activities.

e. Listening and speaking skills to include basic telephone conversations to request /provide information or to make/ break appointments, conversational skills for meetings and social discussions, and to give presentations in small groups about a product or idea.

f. Computer skills to include a basic understanding and functioning of email, including the sending and receiving of short emails to other students. Students will also utilize the computer to write final drafts of basic business letters, memos, and faxes.

7. Method of Instruction

a. Pre-reading exercises and discussion will be used before passages are read. Follow-up exercises will include comprehension, discovering main ideas, and learning new vocabulary. Whole group, small group, or pair discussions focus on business aspects of reading passages.

b. In-class reading assignments may also be used to illustrate a grammar point, a writing format, to introduce new vocabulary, or as a model for business communications, such as telephoning, holding a meeting, and emailing.

c. Students may write journals on assigned or free topics, or in response to readings. Journals may be used as a base for business writing.

d. Students will write clear sentences and eventually connect those sentences into business letters, memos or short messages. Final drafts to be typed on the computer.

e.  Grammatical structures are presented in the context of a reading passage, article or dialogue; rules may be taught deductively or inductively through lecture. Students will complete oral and written exercises individually or in groups to practice structures.

f. Specific reading, writing, and grammar skills are reinforced through use of the tapes, videos, and computer software.

g. Students will work collaboratively to create business presentations.

8. Method of Evaluation

a. Completion of homework assignments to include reading exercises, original sentences, and basic business writings. b. Quizzes and Tests
c. Written in-class midterm and final exams
d. Classroom participation to include giving presentations and completing business calls.

 

9. Texts and References

a. Required Texts
b. Supplementary Texts

(1) Standard Dictionary.