Reading Skills

Course Schedule

Class Pre/Post Reading Exercise Workshop Writing Assignment Agenda
1 Orientation  
2 Unit 1 Pre-reading Exercise      
3 Unit 1 Post-reading Return & Review      
4 Unit 2 Pre-reading Exercise      
5 Unit 2 Post-reading Return & Review      
6 Unit 3 Pre-reading Exercise      
7 Unit 3 Post-reading Return & Review      
8 Unit 4 Pre-reading Exercise      
9 Unit 4 Post-reading Return & Review      
10 Unit 5 Pre-reading Exercise      
11 Unit 5 Post-reading Return & Review      
12     Writing Workshop I    
13     Writing Workshop II 1st Draft  
14 Unit 6 Pre-reading Exercise      
15 Unit 6 Post-reading Return & Review   Final Draft  

Course Can-do Goals

Reading Skills

  1. I can read authentic text that is 1–2 pages long and moderately complex.
  2. I can quickly find the information that I’m looking for in an authentic 1–2 page text.
  3. I can quickly get the gist of an authentic 1–2 page text.
  4. I can read and understand both concrete and abstract language, dealing with facts, opinions and feelings.
  5. I can sometimes infer the meaning of a new word by the context or by the use of prefixes and suffixes in the word.
  6. I can paraphrase and summarize the main points of a reading section.
  7. I can use an English dictionary for ESL learners for confirmation and to be more precise.

Recognizing Writing Structure

  1. I can recognize the structure of a four-paragraph essay.
  2. I can recognize the different parts of an introductory paragraph.
  3. I can recognize the different parts of a body paragraph.
  4. I can recognize the different parts of a concluding paragraph.
  5. I can recognize a thesis statement.
  6. I can recognize a topic sentence.
  7. I can recognize supporting sentences.
  8. I can recognize a transitional sentence.
  9. I can recognize a summary sentence.

Utilizing Writing Structure

  1. I can write a properly organized four-paragraph essay.
  2. I can write a properly organized introductory paragraph.
  3. I can write a properly organized body paragraph.
  4. I can write a properly organized concluding paragraph.
  5. I can write a clear and concise thesis statement.
  6. I can write a clear and concise topic sentence.
  7. I can write clear and concise supporting sentences.
  8. I can write a clear and concise transitional sentence.
  9. I can write a clear and concise summary sentence.

Speaking Skills

  1. I can participate in a small group discussion and express my opinions, feelings and reservations about a topic.
  2. I can correct myself or rephrase what I said when I know that people do not understand me.
  3. I can use a variety of sentence structures and idioms.
  4. I can ask people to repeat when I don’t understand.
  5. I can use a number of strategies to keep a conversation going.

Academic Skills

  1. I can identify the important parts of a lecture and take notes in English.
  2. I can follow written instructions in class.
  3. I can follow verbal instructions in class.
  4. I can work with others in a group to develop a consensus.
  5. I can use a thesaurus properly.