Course Syllabus

CRN: 40229, Spring 2023

A syllabus is a document students usually get the first day of class. It lets me show you important information about our class. You may want to print out the syllabus or you may be using a screen reader. You can also get a Word document of the syllabus.

A syllabus has many sections. There is a lot of information, but you need to read each section.

Course Description

This is the highest levels of general non-credit ESL at CCSF. The class has two main goals: preparing students to easily be a part of their English-speaking community and preparing students for credit classes. In class we will be working on increasing the length and difficulty of conversations, classroom discussions, and readings. We will also work on

- finding the main ideas.
- making inferences.
- increasing vocabulary.
- building grammatical accuracy.
- learning more about American culture.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Class Meetings

Monday to Friday from 8:20-10:00. in Room 1205.

Textbook

Evolve 4 Book cover

We will be using the textbook Evolve 4 from Cambridge University Press. This is a paper book with extra online practice. Order from the link I provided below. It's much cheaper. The price of the book and the online activities is $39.15. You might also want to see if Amazon has a used book for less money. Don't buy Evolve 4A or Evolve 4B!

Link to buy Evolve 4:

- Link to buy the book: Cambridge University Press
  - Video on how to buy the e-book:

- If you really can't buy the book, we will do our best. However, not having the book will make class more difficult and slow down your learning.

Course Communication

How can I contact my teacher, Linda O'Roke?

Canvas Inbox is the best way.
Email: loroke@ccsf.edu
I will answer all course email within 48 hours, Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Once the course begins, I prefer to get messages through the Canvas "Inbox."
You can visit my teacher website: Linda O'Roke.

Communication Plan

I will answer your questions or email within 48 hours during the work week (Monday-Friday), or I will tell you if it will take longer.
I will look at the assignments you submit and give you comments and corrections when needed. I will comment on assignments within 48 hours of the due date. If I need more time, I will put it in an announcement.

Instructor Announcements

I will post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. These announcements will be about events at CCSF. A great way to practice your English is attending free events and clubs.

Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. They will be sent to your CCSF email unless you change your preferences.

Equity Statement

You belong here! Please tell me if you find yourself struggling or a situation in your life starts that causes you to have trouble keeping up with our class. I will do my best to help and will not share any information you tell me. I hope you will join me in committing to a learning and working environment based on open communication and respect and to building as safe and healthy a community for learning as we can.

As a teacher, I fully support the rights of undocumented students to an education and to live free from the fear of deportation. I am committed to CCSF as a sanctuary campus and will not assist any attempts to ascertain the immigration status of members of our classroom community. If you have any concerns, please feel free to discuss them with me, and I will respect your wishes concerning confidentiality.

If you have trouble getting sufficient food or housing, or if there are other threats to your security and well-being, this is likely to affect your learning. I want you to be successful and to help you find resources: please talk to me and I will try to help you find the support you need.

More Class Information

Important Dates

Class Begins: January 1, 2023
No Class: February 17-20, March 7, March 25-April 2,
Class Ends: May 24

Dropping the Class

If you need to stop taking the class, please let me know. Another student may be waiting to join. I know that you have busy lives with family, school, and work. It's ok to stop taking class. It's very helpful if you tell me and not just disappear like a ghost.

Attendance

I know you all have very busy lives. Please come to class when you can. Class will also Zoomed live. (This is the last semester I'm allowed to do this.) If you miss a Zoom class, you can watch it in Cloud Recordings in CityZoom. The class materials are available in the week's module.

If you have to come late or leave early on a regular basis, let Linda know.

If you are late, still come to class. As we say in English: Better late than never.

Late Homework

You will be assigned homework every class. It will help you learn faster and better. However, if you are too busy to do your homework, it's OK. Come to class anyway.

I will take late homework for two weeks after the assignment is due.

Grading

Feedback

I will be looking at and correcting your homework assignments. Please take the time to look over the corrections and comments. This is where I can give you individual help.

Quizzes

There will be quizzes, a midterm test, and a final test. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures, and supplemental materials. These are given to help you and Linda to see what you have learned and what you may need more work on.

Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need classroom or testing accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements if the building needs to be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office hours are by appointment either on the Ocean Campus (9-4 p.m., Monday through Friday) or by Zoom video-conferencing.

Students seeking disability-related accommodations are encouraged to register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the DSPS website for more information and alternate locations.

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in CCSF classes must abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct. Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or the College. See the Office of Student Affairs.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism

Citing Information Sources