Course

Advancing Academic Accuracy for English Language Learners

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
English Language Learning and Acquisition
Course code
ELLA 0340
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
22
Method(s) of instruction
Seminar
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course is the third level of an academic series designed to help students upgrade the accuracy of their written language expression through focused work on grammar and academic vocabulary as related to the course content. It is most appropriate for students who are intending to take college or university courses. Students will receive instruction and practice in reading, proofreading and editing skills, as well as in advanced forms of written expression to be able to write about concrete and some abstract topics.
Course content

Throughout the process of preparing for a range of college assignments, students will receive instruction in skills and strategies in the following areas:

Grammar

  • Demonstrate mastery of grammar and syntax structures covered in the previous levels.
  • Proofread and edit their own written texts, revising drafts effectively, reading thoughtfully and responding effectively to peer and instructor feedback.
  • Demonstrate oral fluency in using grammatical, syntactical, and lexical structures typically occurring in moderately demanding academic contexts.
  • Write cohesive single and connected paragraphs, using level-appropriate grammar and syntax structure.
  • Provide an accurate description or summary of formatted text (a table, graph, chart, or diagram), using appropriate vocabulary, citation, and cohesive devices.
  • Demonstrate mastery of word form choice, register, clause, sentence and longer text elements, cohesive devices, and mechanics specified for this and lower levels of mastery.
  • Receive explicit instruction on and practice the following grammar and syntax structures: passive voice (progressive and perfect aspects; modals); reporting verbs and phrases; connectives (such as because of, despite, as a result of, etc.) followed by complex noun phrases or noun clauses; nominalization; participial phrases (reduced adjective and adverb clauses); modals for past speculation and regret.

Vocabulary

Use appropriately and effectively the following items:

  • Vocabulary for describing data in graphs/charts
  • Phrases to introduce problems and solutions
  • Vocabulary for definitions
  • Expanded range of vocabulary that includes words and expressions related to general content areas

Study Skills

Take responsibility for:

  • Attendance and punctuality
  • Class work and assignments
  • Participation and teamwork

Use common software to communicate and to complete information management tasks such as word processing assignments, sending emails, or signing in to an online learning management system.

 

Learning activities

Some or all of the following methods will be used:

  • whole-class instruction
  • large- and small- group discussion
  • pair work on tasks
  • peer review
  • computer-assisted learning
  • in-class writing practice
  • instructor feedback on written work
  • revision of submitted writing

 

Means of assessment

Student achievement will be measured using formative assessment tools and the mastery system in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Students will receive on-going feedback from the instructor throughout the course. Evaluation will be based on learning outcomes as well as instructor-specified criteria. Mastery will be granted to students who achieve an average of at least 70% on  the items listed below. Evaluation will include, but may not be limited to, the following tasks:

-A collection of tasks demonstrating effective proofreading and editing skills based on instructor and peer feedback, as well as on the student's own attention to errors in writing. Assignments will include sentence, paragraph, and longer text writing as related to paraphrasing and summarizing tasks.

-A collection of tasks showing effective use of newly introduced grammar, syntax structures, and vocabulary from course content. Assignments will include sentence, paragraph, and longer text writing.

-At least 2 in-class paraphrasing or summarizing assessments, based on written or spoken texts. Assessments will include single or connected paragraphs. Students will demonstrate mastery of grammar and syntax structure for this and lower levels of ability.

-At least 1 in-class assessment describing a formatted text (graph, chart, table, or diagram) in paragraph form. Students will demonstrate mastery of newly introduced grammar and syntax structure.

-At least 2 in-class editing assessments, targeting specific errors in writing. Students will demonstrate mastery of grammar and syntax structure for this and lower levels of ability.

-At least 1 self-assessment of learning strategies, progress, and classroom skills (to be discussed with the instructor).

 

Sample grade breakdown:

Proofreading and editing skills tasks worth up to 20% (total)

Tasks on newly introduced grammar and vocabulary worth up to 20% (total)

In-class paraphrasing and summarizing worth up to 20%

Description of formatted text worth up to 10%

In-class editing worth up to 20%

Participation worth up to 10%

Total: 100%

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, successful students will

Grammar and Vocabulary Skills

  1. Demonstrate clear, logical, and coherent expressions in writing, avoiding errors.
  2. Use concrete and abstract language to compose formal and informal messages and to write single and connected paragraphs about problems and solutions on familiar and some unfamiliar topics related to global issues.
  3. Summarize information from formatted text (graph, chart, table, or diagram).
  4. Apply proofreading and editing skills in decisions about word form choice, register, clause, sentence and longer text elements, cohesive devices, and mechanics.
  5. Use grammatical structures and vocabulary from the course content to a required level of mastery.

Study Skills

  1. Assess own progress.
  2. Participate effectively in a college classroom.  

 

Textbook materials

Students may be required to purchase one or more of the following:

  • coursepacks
  • lab software
  • a dictionary, such as Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
  • textbooks, such as Pearson Grammar for Great Writing 3, Cengage Nelson Grammar for Great Writing C, Pearson Grammar for Academic Purposes

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

ELLA 0230 and ELLA 0240, or ELLA assessment

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for ELLA 0340
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
22
Currently enrolled
17
Remaining seats:
5
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4211
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4206
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
22
Currently enrolled
22
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4211A
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4206
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20