ADVANCED GRAMMAR & WRITING COURSE
Fremont Adult and Continuing Education - Summer 2021
Welcome to My Class!
I am happy to welcome you to my Online Advanced ESL Grammar and Writing Class in Summer 2021! I hope you will get a better grasp of English grammar, enrich your vocabulary, and become more proficient language users, effective communicators, and skilled writers with all the fun and interactive practice in this course. Let's start learning together!
Your teacher, Yelena Zimon
CLASS SCHEDULE
Office Hours on Zoom: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:15 pm - 9:45 pm.
Summer Session classes start: Tuesday, July 6, 2021.
Summer Session classes end: Thursday, August 12, 2021.
CLASS RULES & EXPECTATIONS
ZOOM CLASS MEETINGS
We are going to meet on Zoom for live class sessions Tue/Thurs 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm. This is the time to see each other, interact, ask and answer questions, share, and practice. You will have opportunities to practice all language skills, including reading, writing, listening, speaking, and presenting. It is important to be on time. The class meetings are not recorded, so it would be difficult to catch up if you missed one. The class is based on "flipped instruction method". It means that you must complete homework assignments to prepare for class if you want to be able to participate fully.
It is essential that you attend the first class meeting. You will be given detailed orientation to the course.
INDEPENDENT HOMEWORK
We all learn best by doing. This applies to developing communication skills and to language learning. You are required to complete homework assignments. This should take you about five hours a week. The assignments will include grammar and vocabulary practice, reading and listening comprehension, writing projects, editing and peer editing, and response to your teacher's feedback. You will be using an online tracking form to log your independent study time.
To help you with your homework assignments and to answer your questions, I will hold office hours on Zoom. I will be available for 30 minutes after each class session.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
-Attend at least 90% of Zoom sessions.
-Keep a pen and a notepad next to your computer.
- PC or laptop is recommended, iPad or iPhone possible.
- Quiet location without family members present is required.
-To minimize background noise, keep a headset on.
-Complete at least 90% of homework assignments.
-Take all tests, quizzes, and assessments.
-Join Zoom sessions a few minutes before start time.
-Use Zoom controls - mute, video, chat, and share screen.
-Keep your video on unless teacher asks to turn it off.
-Participate fully, be prepared, and be in the moment!
Guaranteed to Be Interesting, Challenging, and Fun!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN ZOOM MEETINGS?
HOW TO WORK IN GOOGLE DRIVE?
If you have provided a valid Gmail address at registration, I will share the Summer 2021 Google Folder with you before the first Zoom Session. If you don't have a Gmail account, please create one and email me at yelzimroom3@gmail.com. Then I will share the Summer 2021 Google Folder with you, and you will be able to start learning without delay.
In your Google Apps, click on Google Drive. Then click "Shared with Me" in the left-hand menu. You will see you shared folder titled Summer 2021. Double click to open the folder. You will see three folders: Homework Assignments, Writing Projects, and Resources.
You will complete your assignments only in the Writing Projects folder. Once there, you will click on "New" in the top left corner and select Google Docs. Write your full name in the title field. Now you are ready to start your project following the teacher's instructions.
Enjoy!
How to Manage Study Time?
Good time management is the most important condition for success in language learning. Consistency and regularity will help you stay on track with your assignments and build strong communication skills. Plan to spend 40-45 minutes a day practicing English in addition to your Zoom classes. Assignments will be posted in the shared G-folder after each Zoom meeting. The assignments for Thursday will include mostly grammar and vocabulary practice and some reading, which should take no more than 60-90 minutes. The 4-hour weekend assignments will also include individual writing projects, which are due on Monday at 7 pm. Putting in about an hour a day on average Friday through Monday should help you enjoy your learning experience stress free and achieve steady progress. Take advantage of the office time after each Zoom meeting (9:15 pm - 9:45 pm) to get help with assignments. Complete them by the deadline in order not to lag behind.
WEEKLY ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
Week 1 CASAS pre-testing (for students who have not been pre-tested yet); grammar and writing pre-assessments for all students
Weeks 3-4 EL Civics assessments
Week 6 CASAS post-testing for all students
We will also ask all students to complete the Student Satisfaction Survey at the end of the Summer Session. Your thoughtful responses will help us improve our program.
IMPROVING COMPUTER SKILLS
For our online projects, we are going to use various computer technology tools - Google Apps, Email, MS Office, Zoom, Quizlet, Kahoot, to name a few. To some of you, all of these are familiar and easy, while to others, they may be new and seem scary. Never fear! You just have not used them yet! You will be able to help each other and have fun using these incredible technology tools. And your teacher will be by your side and learning with you. Resources for technology users of different levels will be provided.
GRAMMAR TOPICS
DISCUSSION TOPICS
ACHIEVING COMMUNICATION FLUENCY AND ACCURACY
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER
I have been teaching English for 45 years. Fremont Adult School has been my second home since 1994. I have taught all ESL levels, designed many new courses, and trained future English teachers and interpreters. Since 2004, I have been leading the ESL Program as ESL Department Chair.
My goal is to help you express yourselves freely in this beautiful language so you can excel in your education and succeed in your professional and personal life. I love my students! My favorite people are those who like to work hard, think deeply, and have fun. Are you one of those?
Fremont Adult and Continuing Education ESL Program is Here for You!
Email: fasesl@fusdk12.net
Website: www.face.edu
Location: 4700 Calaveras Avenue, Fremont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-793-6465