ADVANCED GRAMMAR & WRITING COURSE
Fremont Adult and Continuing Education - Fall 2022
Welcome to My Class!
I am happy to welcome you to my Online Advanced ESL Grammar and Writing Class in the Fall Quarter 2022! I hope you will get a better grasp of English grammar, enrich your vocabulary, and become more proficient language users and effective communicators, with all the fun and interactive practice in this course. Let's start learning together!
Your teacher, Yelena Zimon
CLASS SCHEDULE
Office Hours in Zoom: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 pm - 10:00 pm.
Fall Quarter classes start: Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
Fall Quarter classes end: Thursday, November 3, 2022.
My Teaching Assistant
CLASS RULES & EXPECTATIONS
ZOOM CLASS MEETINGS
We are going to meet on Zoom for live class sessions Tue/Thurs 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm. This is the time to see each other, connect, 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.
INDEPENDENT HOMEWORK
We all learn best by doing. This applies to developing communication skills and to language learning. You are expected to complete homework assignments, which will take 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 the teacher's feedback. To help you with homework assignments and to answer your questions, I will hold Zoom office hours. I will be available in Zoom 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 independent work.
-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 the camera on unless the teacher gives other directions.
-Participate fully and be prepared and focused!
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 Fall Quarter-22 Google Folder with you after the first Zoom meeting. If you don't have a Gmail account, please create one and email me at yelzimroom3@gmail.com. Then I will give you access, and you will be able to start learning without delay.
How to Find the Shared Folder in Your Google Drive?
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 Fall Quarter-2022. 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, 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 to build strong communication skills. Plan to spend about 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 (9:30 pm - 10:00 pm) to get help with assignments. Complete them by the deadline not to lag behind.
WEEKLY ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
Weeks 1 Grammar and writing pre-assessments
Weeks 2-5 Oral Presentations based on written samples
Weeks 6-7 EL Civics oral and written Assessments
Weeks 8-9 CASAS post-tests
IMPROVING COMPUTER SKILLS
For our online projects, we are going to use various computer technology tools - Google Apps, Email, MS Office, Zoom, Quizlet, Newsela, Padlet, 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.
Fall Quarter Theme: My Education Pathways
In the Fall Quarter, we are going to discuss life long learning, among other topics. Alvin Toffler famously said, " The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Since you have made a commitment to come back to school and pursue challenging goals, you will have to learn, unlearn, and relearn a lot of things. How can you do it effectively? Will you be able to make the right choices and find your path? We are going to read and discuss articles, watch and discuss video clips, do presentations, and write on a variety of topics. By completing these activities, you will be building stronger communication skills and move closer to reaching your goals.
GRAMMAR 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 and designed many ESL courses. 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