ESL 188 -
ESL College Reading and Writing
City College of San Francisco
Fall 2022
CRN: 70773 – Section: 501
Monday & Wednesday 6:10 – 9:00
Units: 6
Credit type: Credit/Degree Applicable. - UC/CSU
*remote instruction (classes will use Canvas and Zoom)
Instructor Dr. Curtis Neal Sanford
E‑mail csanford@ccsf.edu
Office hours Tue. & Thur. 2:00 – 4:00 and by appointment
Prerequisite - ESL 186 or placement in ESL 188
CLAD enrollment –
Course Description
Training and practice in advanced academic reading and writing, with emphasis on language structure and vocabulary development for non-native speakers of English. Practice in reading multiple academic texts, synthesizing ideas, and developing and revising text-based assignments at the pre-collegiate level. Advanced language skills are integrated on the basis of academic tasks and content.
ESL 188 is designed to help you improve your academic reading, writing and grammar skills. The language skills that we practice in this class will serve as a foundation for the work that you will need for your other general education (GE) courses. You will practice and develop vocabulary and academic reading skills. You will review and practice grammar and apply it to your written work. Based on the material from the readings and videos, you will write short article summaries, personal responses, and multiple longer essays, including a research paper.
Required books*
Longman Academic Writing 5 ISBN 13-978-0-13-2760676
Elements of Success 4: Grammar for Writing ISBN 13-978-0-19-402829-5
The Art of Thinking Clearly ISBN 13-978-0-06-221968-8
*please do not buy textbooks with extensive markings or writing in them
Recommended - Longman Dictionary of American English (Advanced)
Contents of this course
In this class, we will work on developing fluency and accuracy in your academic English reading and writing skills, including attention to grammar and vocabulary development. In each of the five instructional units of this semester, you will have multiple readings from both the textbook and outside sources. For each of the five units, you will build up the writing skills that are needed for the assignments. Some writing will be corrected, and some will receive comment but no correction. Some writing will require one or more revisions. Additionally, each unit will contain several featured grammar points. Through group practice and individual homework assignments, you will work to incorporate the grammar points into your written assignments.
Studying English online
Because all of the instruction will be happening remotely (online) this semester, it is very important that we establish clear expectations about the requirements of this course and make sure we have multiple means of communication. I will try my best to be clear about homework and assignment requirements. However, if you are unclear about something, it will be your responsibility to check in with a classmate or contact me with your question. If you need an answer or clarification for a question, you can ask me in class during our twice weekly Zoom meetings, and I’m always available to answer questions via email. Studying online may require more self-organization and self-initiative than studying in a traditional classroom setting, but I’m optimistic that we can have a very engaging and productive semester. Also, since all writing will be done on the computer, it’s useful to have strong keyboarding skills. If you want additional practice and improvement in your ability to type on the computer, look at the Announcements page at our Canvas site for both CCSF keyboarding classes and independent Web-based practice sites.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
· Analyze and interpret a range of authentic expository and narrative pre-college-level texts, using a
variety of advanced reading skills and strategies.
· Compose organized and well-supported essays
· Use a variety of advanced academic grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.
· Integrate credible academic sources to support writing assignments, using basic citation.
Requirements for students in this course include:
1. Attendance
Regular, punctual (on-time) attendance is required. The class meets from 6:10 – 9:00. We will be covering a large amount of material, so regular attendance is essential.
More than two absences may lower your grade. More than four absences may result in being dropped from this class. It is your responsibility to get the homework assignments from your classmates if you are absent. Frequent tardiness will also affect your grade and may result in being dropped from this class. If you have particular reasons why you must come late or leave early on a particular day, tell me in advance.
2. Active participation in every class, in English
Because we are working remotely (online) it is more important than ever that we stay engaged and in communication with each other. Again, I will do my best to create classes that are interesting, communicative and interactive. It’s my belief that learning language must be active and interactive. Be prepared to participate fully in activities involving student pairs, student groups and the whole class. Also, it is my preference that you use your camera during the Zoom sessions to increase the sense of being in a real class.
3. Homework
This is a 6 unit class. You need to spend up to 2 hours out of class for every hour in class. That’s a total of over 10 hours of homework per week. If you cannot commit to this rigorous workload, I suggest that you find a class that has fewer units. Some of the homework assignments will be checked at the beginning of the class. Some homework will be turned in to me. Late homework or incomplete homework will result in a lower grade. This homework will include:
A. Grammar, reading and writing exercises from the course textbooks
B. Writing or revising written work
The assignments that you turn in should be legible or on a computer. Homework is required even when you are absent. You will need to make arrangements with other students to get the assignments. Late and missed homework may lower your grade. You may not do any homework during class time.
4. Reading
The ability to read well and understand what you read is perhaps the most important
academic skill for a college student. We will be doing extensive amounts of reading in
this class. It is not enough to quickly read through the assignments. You will need to
spend time reading each section (article or text chapter) multiple times and look up
unfamiliar words (and keep a vocabulary journal). You will be expected to explain, summarize
and discuss each piece of reading this semester. Also, your success in learning the grammar,
vocabulary and writing assignments is based on your understanding the reading assignments.
5. Writing
The ability to write expressive, well‑organized and accurate compositions is an important academic skill in college. We will be doing a lot of writing during this course, and you will be required to submit rewrites on many of the compositions. Much of your grade is determined by your ability to incorporate the new grammar structures and new vocabulary into your written work.
6. Lab requirement
Learning a second language, by necessity, requires work outside of class time. As part of the requirement to pass this course, you are required to work for one hour a week, 15 hours in total for the semester, in the Center for Language and Academic Development (CLAD). You and I will work together to identify learning goals in those areas in which you specifically need individual attention. The lab requirement is intended to give you the chance to get additional practice and help in areas you need support in by using computer-assisted learning programs, working with an ESL tutor, or attending a small group workshop.
Your attendance at lab sessions will be monitored on a regular basis. I will check your lab card two times during the semester and then verify your hours before the end of the semester. You must go regularly. There is a two hour maximum limit per visit. If you do not complete your fifteen hours by the last day of classes, you cannot pass this class.
You will do your lab work through the ESL Department’s “Center for Language and Academic Development (CLAD). You can “enroll” in the CLAD Canvas site at (url will be shared soon)
Grading
ESL 188 is a required credit course, which means that students will receive a mid‑term grade and final grade. There are no make‑up tests or quizzes. Homework, quizzes, class participation and the exams will all help determine the final
grade.
· Writing assignments: 50%
· Homework and participation: 15%
· Quizzes: 15%
· Final exams: 20%
You need to receive a "C" or better to pass ESL 188.
ESL 188 is an important course for you as a CCSF student and as a learner of English. This course will give you 6 units of academic English. You have the opportunity to greatly improve your academic English skills this semester, but you have to give a lot of your time and effort to it. It requires over 6 hours of class time a week and at about 10 hours of homework a week.
If you are having difficulty with anything in this class, please feel free to contact me and ask for help. I look forward to meeting with you individually during the semester and welcome any questions that you may have. It is always better to ask questions if you don't know the answer, rather than sitting back and not speaking up.
Disability Accommodation:
If you need classroom or testing accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements for any reason, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.
Important Dates:
Wed. 8/17 - First day of classes at CCSF (The first class session of ESL 188 is on Wed. 8/17 at 6:10PM.)
Fri. 8/27 - Last day to withdraw, drop or reduce course work units in order to obtain the enrollment fee and a 100% nonresident and foreign student tuition fee refund
Fri. 9/3 - Last day to add full term credit classes and Change Sections in-person and on the web
Fri. 9/3 - Last day to drop credit classes without a “W”, no notation will appear on the student’s permanent record.
Mon. 9/6 - Holiday - Labor Day
Thur. 9/9 - Last day to withdraw or reduce course work in order to qualify for 50% nonresident tuition fee refund.
Mon 10/4 - Mid‑term exam period begins
Mon. 10/11 - Flex Day (teachers meetings) no classes
Wed. 10/27 ‑ First day Mid-Term Grades are available on MyRAM Portal
Thur 11/11 - Holiday – Veterans Day
Fri 11/19 ‑ Last day for Student /Instructor Initiated Withdrawal from classes and Change Sections for the same Department Last day to request pass/no pass (P/NP) grading option (extended deadline) Last day to drop on myRAM with an “EW” (Excused Withdrawal) notation on permanent record.
Thur-Fri 11/25-11/26 - Holiday – Thanksgiving
Tue 12/13 – Last day of class (last class of ESL 188 is on Mon. 12/19)
Mon. 1/10 - Final grades available on MyRAM
*Please write down the name and email address of 2 ‑3 students so you can get the homework assignments of any days that you miss.