Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

 

·         Speak with comprehensible pronunciation in a variety of familiar situations

·         Participate in group work and activities in the English-speaking community with intermediate conversation skills; ask for clarification

·         Use English to evaluate and solve a problem

·         Read and comprehend easy short fiction and nonfiction on familiar subjects (includes graphs, charts, maps, etc.)

·         Write basic paragraphs and letters using grammatical and structural accuracy

·         Use telephone and computer technology to communicate and access information

 

·         Listen for meaning in dictation, dialogs, and short stories; answer comprehension questions

·         Clarify by asking questions, paraphrasing, or repeating information

·         Use comprehensible pronunciation and grammatical accuracy to express needs and to describe events within a familiar context in small groups and before the whole class

·         Solve problems in small groups

Reading

 

·         Use reading comprehension strategies such as skimming, scanning, paraphrasing, prediction, and context clues to read short stories on familiar topics

·         Interpret visual aids, tables, and charts

Written Communication

 

·         Use the writing process to improve writing of 1-3 paragraph essays; include a topic and concluding sentence, interesting details, and grammatical accuracy

·         Write letters using grammatical accuracy and standard form

·         Use appropriate vocabulary, correct spelling, standard format and organization

Technology

 

·         Use word-processing to create short documents

·         Use the Internet to practice English language skills and conduct research

·         Respond to simple telephone answering systems

·         Use voicemail and E-mail to send and receive messages

Research

 

·         Use the library and Internet to access information

·         Research community events using newspapers, the Internet, and other sources

·         Record findings in notes

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·         Listen to a guest speaker or to a recorded speech; prepare and ask questions, take notes, and write a brief summary

·         Write down information from a recorded message (tape players in class, voicemail message)

·         Resolve a question or problem, tell class about a situation, and follow up with a letter or written dialog which includes possible solution based on consequences

·         Read an easy or simplified short text (short story, book chapter, or poem) and summarize briefly in writing or orally

·         Read and interpret a chart, map, graph or numerical data; use information to make an informed decision regarding a real or realistic hypothetical situation (plan a vacation, hunt for a job, buy a car, choose a doctor); present the decision orally and/or in writing

·         Write a brief autobiography of three paragraphs; include information about past, present and future

Themes: Communication in roles: family member, community member, worker, citizen, and lifelong learner, Language structure, Written language, Cultural awareness

Concepts: Culture, English speaking community, Social/legal contracts, Technology Empowerment, Social network, Advocacy, Problem solving, Personal expression/reflection, Tenacity/persistence, Personal responsibility

Concepts: Critical Thinking, Problem solving, Self-evaluation, Planning/setting goals, Numeracy, Research, Grammatical competence Opportunities, Educational, Employment, Social/political, Personal growth Communicative Competence, English writing system, Paralinguistics/Sociolinguistics

Issues: Comprehension, Fluency, Pronunciation, Grammar, Teamwork, Problem-solving , Multicultural awareness, Discrimination, Personal advocacy, Health, Technology, Research