Orientation and English Skills for English Language Learners

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
ELLA 0001
Descriptive
Orientation and English Skills for English Language Learners
Department
English Language Learning and Acquisition
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
1.50
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
3 weeks
Max class size
20
Contact hours
Seminar/Classroom based 9 hrs/wk (faculty) Tutorial/Workshop 4 hrs/wk (monitor/resource person) Field Experience/Socio-cultural Activities 12 hrs/wk (monitor)
Method(s) of instruction
Seminar
Learning activities

The instructor will use a variety of methods (whole, small group, individual, and student directed learning). Faculty will be responsible for classroom-based instruction. Additional activities will be facilitated by monitors and could be led by various resource persons from other areas within the College.

 

Course description
This is an orientation course designed for cohorts or groups of sponsored English language learners who are new to Douglas College. Through active and authentic integrated language skills practice, participants will learn how to function effectively as community members and college students. Complexity of language and tasks will vary depending on the needs and language level of the learners.
Course content
  1. Skill development tasks on the following topics:
    • orientation to homestay, Douglas College, and Greater Vancouver 
    • student success  (goal setting, time management, study skills, student/teacher expectations, participation, and language learning strategies)
    • personal safety
    • living and interacting in a new culture
    • field trip and outing preparation
  2. Explicit language instruction on the following:
    • gambits and expressions for daily communication situations (e.g. making introductions, making small talk, using the telephone)
    • gambits and expressions for community interactions (e.g. restaurants, shopping, tourist sites)
Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will have: 

  1. gained familiarity with their homestay, Douglas College, and Greater Vancouver;
  2. developed strategies for successful language learning;
  3. developed strategies for staying safe in the community;
  4. learned appropriate language for routine communication situations; and
  5. learned appropriate language to convey feelings, wants and needs correctly in face-to-face interaction.
Means of assessment

Student achievement will be assessed using the mastery system in accordance with College policy. The following is one example of assessment components and weighting:

25% Class participation
10% One contact assignment
20% Two role play assignments
25% Three field trip assignments
20% Language quizzes

Textbook materials

None required.

Prerequisites

Instructor Permission