Writing A

Mt. SAC

Mount San Antonio College

English as a Second Language

Instructor: Andrea Sunnaa

E-mail: asunnaa@mtsac.edu (preferred)

Phone: (909) 594-5611 extension 3119

Writing A

Winter Session 2010

January 4- February 14 2010

Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Building 66, Room 120

Textbooks and Materials:

1. Teacher provided material

2. A large blue book
3. A notebook

Course Description: This course is designed to help you improve your

reading and writing skills through meaningful and content-oriented lessons.
Material is based on familiar topics and American customs. We will focus on
building your vocabulary while introducing a variety of readings and
improving your accuracy in writing organized paragraphs.

Student Learning Outcomes: This semester we are including specific

learning outcomes for each of the skills classes. By the end of the session,
you will have completed each of the following:

1. Students will individually complete an editing test covering writing

mechanics. These include: punctuation, capitalization, format,
grammar, and spelling. Passing is 20 out of 27 points possible.
2. Students will write a short paragraph about a favorite person. Passing
is 6 out of 9 points possible.

Student Responsibilities:

1. Regular attendance is important. If you miss more than 3 hours, you

will lose priority for registration. Come to class and leave class on
time.
2. Respect your teacher, tutor and classmates.

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3. Turn your cell phones off or leave them on vibrate please.
4. Email me if you cannot come to class. Please write your name, the
date, and the reason for the absence. If you do not have email, you
may phone me and leave the same information.
5. Participation is very important. Please volunteer answers and ask
many questions.
6. Speak only English during class time.

Course Outline

Week Units are from Great Sentences for Great Paragraphs and
Topics are from Active Skills for Reading: Book 1

1 Unit 1: Understanding Sentence Basics

Write about Your Classmate
Unit 2: Connecting Sentences and Paragraphs
Topics: Food and Health

2 Unit 3: Writing About the Present

Write about Family and Home
Editing Symbols
Topic: Inventions

3 Unit 5: Describing Actions

Write about a Favorite Activity
Concluding Sentences
Topic: Studying Overseas

4 Unit 4: Writing About the Past

Write about a Past Event
Compound Sentences and Connectors
Topic: Money and Budgets

5 Unit 6: Writing About the Future

Write about your Future Plans
Complex Sentences
Editing Test
Topic: Is It Real?

6 Complete all units

Final Paragraph Due

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Review
Class Project
Class Party

To successfully complete this class, you should:

• Attend class on a regular basis
• Participate in both group and class activities
• Pass the SLO or measurable assessment
• Demonstrate level-appropriate writing proficiency
• Turn in 70% of assignments
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Mission The mission of Mt. San Antonio College is to welcome all

students and to support them in achieving their personal,
educational, and career goals in an environment of
academic excellence.

Vision Statement Continuing Education commits to providing educational

opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds who
are seeking self-improvement, enhanced earning power,
increased literacy skills and access to higher education and
employment.
Student Learning Goals

We will prepare all ESL students to be:

1. Effective Communicators who

• Acquire reading and listening skills
• Speak and write to be understood
• Work productively as part of a team
• Use technology to express ideas
1. Critical Thinkers who
• Gather, organize, and analyze information from a variety of
sources
• Form and express a logical opinion or conclusion
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills
• Apply knowledge to personal, professional, or academic
situations

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1. Lifelong Learners who
• Apply strengths and improve weaknesses
• Learn and apply new information or skills
• Participate productively in the community
1. Self-Directed Individuals who
• Set goals, establish, and implement a plan of action
• Work independently
• Seek appropriate information and help

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