ESL 99B - ESL for the Workplace II

1. Catalog Description:
The second course in the study of English for the workplace for students whose first language is other than English. Supplements language skills taught in ESL 100 and develops and adds to business English skills taught in ESL 99A. Students will learn business vocabulary and intermediate writing skills, oral communication skills, and computer skills. Offered on a Credit/No Credit basis only. Non-associate degree applicable.

2. Course Prerequisites
Advisory placement based on successful completion of ESL 99A or equivalent based on ESL assessment process or equivalent skills.

3. Course Objectives
The student will:

a. Learn business vocabulary and correctly use it in writing and listening/speaking activities.

b. Read and write business letters, reports, memos, and faxes.

c. Read and discuss articles and reports about business practices, and use information in discussions and presentations.

d. Correctly use basic grammar skills described in the course content.

e. Listen to business reports, discuss them, and give written or oral feedback.

f. Practice simple negotiations, meeting strategies, and job application skills using basic verb tenses.

g. Create a complete resume, cover letter, and work related portfolio.

h. Send and reply to more complicated emails

i. Use the computer to write final drafts of business messages, memos, and letters as well as a resume and job cover letter.

j.  Use the Internet for job searching and employment information gathering.

4. Minimum Student Materials

a. texts
b. dictionary
c. writing materials
d. floppy disk

5. Minimum Instructional Facilities

a. Standard classroom with moveable chairs and blackboard.
b. Overhead projector and screen.
c. TV and VCR
d. Computer lab.

6. Course Content

a. Business vocabulary to include occupational names, language for  requesting/providing information, describing an organization or specific job/task, telephone language, scheduling appointments, and negotiating.

b. Reading skills include comprehension of business articles with familiar content and language, understanding the main idea of more complex business articles, and using the passages to write memos/letters/reports, hold discussions, and/or give presentations.

c. Writing skills include completing a resume, cover letter, and job portfolio and writing business letters, reports, memos, and faxes using standard business English.

d. Grammar skills include comprehension and usage of the present, present progressive, regular and irregular past, past progressive, future, present perfect, present perfect progressive, and past prefect forms of verbs; present and past forms of modals, gerunds and infinitives, and nouns and articles in reading, writing, and listening/speaking activities.

e. Listening and speaking skills to include conversational skills for meetings and social discussions, giving presentations individually or in small groups about a product or idea, listening to business news and discussing main ideas, negotiating for a business or for a new job, and explaining a product or idea to others.

f.  Computer skills to include an intermediate understanding and functioning of email, including the sending and receiving of emails to students and businesses. Students will also utilize the computer to write final drafts of basic business letters, memos, and faxes as well as their resume and cover letter. Students will utilize the Internet to do employment research and job hunting.

7. Method of Instruction

a. Pre-reading exercises and discussion will be used before passages are read. Follow-up exercises will include comprehension, discovering main ideas, and learning new vocabulary. Whole group, small group, or pair discussions focus on business aspects of reading passages and how to apply ideas to business situations.

b. In-class reading assignments may also be used to illustrate a grammar point, a writing format, to introduce new vocabulary, or as a model for business communications, such as holding a meeting, negotiating for better terms, or sending information requests through email..

c. Students may write journals on assigned or free topics, or in response to readings.Journals may be used as a base for business writing or presentations.

d. Students will write simple paragraphs and connect paragraphs to create business letters, reports, memos, faxes, business cover letters and a resume. Final drafts to be typed on the computer.

e. Grammatical structures are presented in the context of a reading passage, article or dialogue; rules may be taught deductively or inductively through lecture. Students will complete oral and written exercises individually or in groups to practice structures.

f. Specific reading, writing, and grammar skills are reinforced through use of the tapes, videos, and computer software.

g. Students will work individually or collaboratively to create business presentations.

8. Method of Evaluation

a. Completion of homework assignments to include reading exercises, original sentences, paragraphs and other basic business writings.
b. Quizzes and Tests
c. Written in-class midterm and final exams
d. Classroom participation to include giving presentations and completing a business portfolio.

9. Texts and References

a. Required Texts

b. Supplementary Texts
(1) Standard Dictionary.