Modesto Junior College
English for Life and Work: ELW 904-0377
Dear Students,
Welcome to our course: English for Life and Work at MJC. I'm looking forward to working with you. The purpose of this syllabus is to help make you comfortable in this course and to communicate information you need to know.
We can learn together!
Michael Calou
Welcome Video_with CAPTIONS.mp4About This Class
What is the focus?
This class focuses on speaking, listening, and writing English at an intermediate level of proficiency. We will do a lot of speaking: to each other, in groups, in a non-threatening way.
What are the dates and times?
This class meets Monday-Thursday from 8:45-11:05 on MJC west campus, in Yosemite Hall Room A-209. We meet from March 11 until May 2, 2024.
When can you meet with me individually: Office hours
I will be available via Zoom on Wednesday, from 12-1pm. Here is the Zoom link: Office Hours Zoom Link
What equipment and texts do I need?
A computer with a web cam, smartphone, and the Future 3 textbook and workbook (they come bundled).
How much time will it take?
About twelve hours a week. More or less depending on your experience level and how much you want to explore the English language.
Week 1 Success Kit
To be successful in Week 1, log in the first day the class opens: Friday, March 8. We officially start on March 11, but a head start can go a long way towards making you feel comfortable in this course
We will begin the week with a Student Information Survey. Followed by a Meet and Greet Discussion Video. We will also work on learning more about the Simple Present and how to use it.
You will need to get the Future 3 textbook and workbook. They come together in a package at the bookstore. You also need a laptop or cell phone to complete the Week 1 assignments.
WHEN YOU GET TO THE MJC HOMEPAGE: LOOK FOR the Canvas login logo in the upper right corner from a computer or laptop, or at the top on a smartphone.
Course Outcome summary
How Your Progress Will Be Evaluated
Assignments: 15-20% In-class and online assignments, workbook exercises, other activities
Discussions: 15-20% In-class and online discussions
Tests: 25-30% Unit tests, presentations
Quizzes: 10-20% Discussions, vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading
Final Exam: 15-25% All skills previously learned
Total: 100%
What You Should Expect At The End Of This Course
Your progress in this class depends on the work you accomplish:
80-100% = Pass (Move to the next level)
70-79.9% = Satisfactory Progress (Talk to teacher about moving to next level)
0-69.9% = No Pass (Repeat the current level)
Communication Essentials
Preferred Communication Method
The easiest way to reach me is through email: caloum@yosemite.edu . My cell number is 209-581-3309. We can Zoom too.
General Availability
I am available online from 12:00-5:00 M-Th and Friday mornings. Evenings and weekends may work for me too.
Expected Response Time
If you email but don't hear back within 24 hours, please send me a reminder. I really try to respond to emails in a timely manner, but sometimes I may miss one. I try not to let that happen.
General Questions
Please use our Course Q & A Discussion if you have questions that other students in our class might benefit from. If you know the answer to someone else's question, please answer. I will try to answer too.
Our Pact
What you can expect from me:
I will establish a warm and friendly classroom that includes encouraging support.
I will accompany you on your academic journey with empathy and appropriate flexibility.
I will be active and engaged during this course with regular announcements, home-page updates, discussions, and guided, timely feedback.
What I expect of you:
You will engage with the curriculum and try new things with it.
You will positively interact with fellow classmates with support and affirmative assistance.
You will attempt to participate often and take part in the class discussions and assignments each week.
My Teaching Philosophy
My goal is to create an atmosphere of reliance and cooperation in the classroom. So that every student feels they are a member of the learning community. Where students feel free to express themselves and diversity is not only accepted but thrives. My objective is to help my students build knowledge by providing thoughtful lessons that inspire them to work hard and internalize what they have learned.
A climate of trust will allow our learning community to succeed in accomplishing our learning target. Together, we will work to support each other: teacher supporting students and students supporting students.
My Advice for Success
My advice for success is to plan ahead as far as possible. This will help eliminate surprises that can lead to stress. My cat, Albert, doesn't plan ahead and he gets into trouble with my other cat, Winston. Winston always plans ahead. He is rarely surprised and leads a stress free life.
My cat Albert. Does not like to plan ahead.
Sir Winston. Likes to plan ahead.
My last advice for success is to not be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are something that you can learn from. And making a mistake can lead to insights that you didn't expect. I made many mistakes when I was a student and I continue to make them. It is a part of life that allows us to grow as individuals.
Course Learning outcomes
The course learning outcomes describe the knowledge and skills that students should have achieved at the end of the course.
Upon satisfactory completion of this course you should be able to:
Demonstrate accurate use of English syntax, a variety of verb tenses and grammatical structures, and vocabulary at an intermediate level in a variety of social, community, and workplace situations.
Read, interpret, and respond to reading passages in a variety of documents about everyday life, social, and work situations demonstrating competence in the English language at an intermediate level.
Compose one-to-three paragraph compositions using basic paragraph form, topic sentences, effective support of ideas, cohesive devices, level appropriate vocabulary, and accurate use of grammar at an intermediate level of English proficiency.
Support For You
Career services can help you plan your journey through college. They have many counselors and staff that can help you plan your career path.
Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Every student has a right to a safe learning environment. Discrimination and sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Students have a right to file a complaint with the Vice President of Student Services.
Take a look at Student Services for information about counseling, health services, Veterans Services, and Student Government. MJC can help you succeed.
Pirate care gives you free 24/7 access to a mental health professional. Any enrolled MJC student can use Pirate Care.
For more MJC mental health help online: MJC Crisis Information
Also available: Wellness Center
Use the financial resources to help you succeed.
A full service grocery market, food pantry that offers a variety of goods at no cost to enrolled MJC students.
Having difficulty keeping up in class? The Accommodations and Support Center can help you. This service can help you realize your educational and career goals.
The library and learning center are here to help you. It is a great place to study and they have computers you can use.
Tutoring is free at MJC and it can help you reach your educational goals.
MJC can offer help with your online classes. This is a helpful site for technical support. Helpful resources for Canvas and Zoom.
Policies
Submission of Work Policy
Work is to be submitted on time. Either in class or through Canvas. No email submission of work.
Late Work/Make-Up Test Policy
All due dates are enforced. For this class, students are required to submit assignments on time and take tests on the day they are scheduled. There are two exceptions for late work and make-up tests:
Illness
Family emergency
Students should let me know by email or phone message/text by the due date or test date if there is an illness or family emergency