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Advanced English Grammar  (First Quarter Level Four)

Winter Quarter 

Class Meetings: MWF

Materials

ºThree ring binder/notebook, 200 sheets loose leaf college ruled notebook paper, and five reinforced index dividers

öGrammar Dimensions: Form, Meaning, and Use: Book Four; Jan Frodesen and Janet Eyring (1993). Boston: Heinle and Heinle Publishers. ISBN 0-8384-397-13

Course Description

The foundation of the English language, English grammar allows a person in an almost unlimited way to combine words to create new sentences, many of which are uttered for the first time. In fact, any twenty word sentence used in English probably is the first sentence in that word order in all of our country’s history! Being able to use the grammar creatively will help you to improve your listening, speaking, writing, and reading skills.

We will be looking at the interdependence between grammar and communication. Three primary aspects of grammar will be considered: meaning, form, and use. This approach to grammar encourages meaningful and appropriate use of structures. Since Grammar Dimensions: Form, Meaning, and Use: Book Four is aimed at the advanced learner, we will be focusing on the grammatical structures needed in technical/academic reading and writing.

At the beginning of the class, we will take a diagnostic grammar test to pinpoint what areas in the grammar book will be best for this class. Then I will create a course outline based on a statistical analysis of the weaknesses of the class as a whole.

English Grammar Web Sites:

Many students have not realized the potential benefits of using the Internet for grammar study. During scheduled times in the computer lab, I will give you time to practice English grammar online. During this class session, be sure to ask questions when you see a grammar question that you do not understand.

Here is a short list of Web Sites that you can use during this class session.

1. Michael Buckhoff's English Grammar self-study quizzes: 

2. English Structure for Academic Purposes (Information about Adjective, adverb, and noun clauses):http://deil.lang.uiuc.edu/class.pages/Structure1/Salzmann_index.html#adjcl

3. Building Clauses: http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/bldcls.html       

4. Dave Sperling’s ESL Grammar Web Links (66 in all!): http://www.eslcafe.com/search/Grammar/

Requirements

I expect everyone to come to class and be ready to participate in all exercises both oral and written. You will take several quizzes during the quarter. The quizzes and the homework assignments are designed to give you practice solving language problems relating to grammar. Make sure that you complete all homework assignments.

Late Work

Assignments submitted after the due date will not be accepted. In other words, you will receive no points. I will only allow you to make up missed work if you have a written documented excuse from someone stating the urgency of the situation (e.g. Doctor’s note, CHP accident report, etc.). Homework assignments are to be completed before the class on the day that they are due. Late work will not be accepted. You may not make up a quiz if you are absent. You may not make up the midterm or final for this class. You must take it on the scheduled date in order to receive credit.

Attendance

Your attendance is required at all class meetings. Only written documented excuses for an absence may result in your making up a graded assignment or graded daily work. Absences endanger your grade simply because you are missing out in the learning process. Three absences will result in an overall reduction of one full letter grade and five absences will result in a failing grade for this class.

Come to class on time. Three tardies will be counted as an absence. If you arrive fifteen minutes late or more, you will be counted absent for that class period. If you do come late to class, please enter quietly so as not to distract the other students. Do not explain to me why you are late.

 

Grading

The number letter grading scale is set as follows:

A 95-100

A- 90-94

B+ 87-89

B 84-86

B- 80-83

C+ 76-79

C 70-75

NP 69& below

Scoring Grade

Your final grade will be calculated as follows:

Attendance and Participation 10%

Quizzes 60%

Midterm (sixth week) 15%

Final (eleventh Week) 15%

Total 100%