Advanced ESL Writing, Fall 2016

CLP

Community Language Program Fall 2016

Teachers College, Columbia University

Instructor: Tara Nair

E-mail: tn2320@tc.columbia.edu
Level: Advanced
Class day: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Class time: 9:15 10:45 AM
Classroom: Tuesday Grace Dodge Hall 465 ;
Thursday Thompson Hall 422
Course Description:
The Advanced Writing course is designed to help students write texts on a wide range of
subjects related to their interests and in genres appropriate for different audiences and
purposes. Students will practice writing clear, detailed, and well-organized texts, analyzing
and synthesizing information from various sources, and assessing and editing their own and
their classmates work.

About the CLP

The Community Language Program (CLP) is a unique and integral part of the TESOL and
Applied Linguistics Programs at Teachers College, Columbia University. It provides English
as a second language and foreign language instruction to adult learners of diverse
nationalities and backgrounds. In addition, the CLP serves as an on- site language education
lab in which TESOL and Applied Linguistics faculty and students enrolled in the programs
teach the courses and use the CLP as a setting for empirical inquiry. Here at Teachers College
we believe that observation and classroom research are the best way to learn about how we
teach and gain insights into how teaching might take place. Thus, we encourage observation
and classroom research and want people to use it as a tool for learning. Ongoing assessment
and program evaluation allow us to make the CLP a better program.

Important Dates:
Week 1

Tuesday, September 27

First day of class

Friday, September 30

Last day for level transfer

Week 2

Wednesday, October 5

Last day for refunds

*******

November 21-25

Thanksgiving Break: NO CLASSES

Week 10

Thursday, December 8

Last day of class

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Advanced ESL Writing, Fall 2016

Course Materials
-You will need a small writing journal separate from where you take notes. This is where you
will write your weekly journal entries (see below).
There are no required textbooks for this course. Course materials will be provided by the
teacher. I do strongly recommend having a pocket dictionary where you can look up new
vocabulary.
-You will not need a laptop in class, but you will need to type assignments at home and
access the internet to do research/find sources.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Write clear, well-organized, and detailed texts on a wide range of subjects, including
abstract ideas, and in a variety of genres, including essays, letters, reviews, and narratives.
2. Adapt texts for different purposes and different audiences and effectively synthesize
information and arguments from a number of different sources.
3. Provide peer-feedback, self-assess, revise, and edit.
4. Follow established conventions in writing (including mechanics, layouts, etc.).
Course Requirements
Writers Journal Entries (1 entry due every WEEK on Tuesday)
The more you write, the better of a writer you will become. A major goal of this course is to
become more comfortable and natural writing in English. Therefore, I expect you to write at
least 1 entry in your writers journal every week on a topic of your choice.
-Some possible topics: reflections on an event in your day/life, reactions to/opinions about news,
description of a person you know, explanation/expansion of a random thought you want to clarify

-Each entry should be 3-4 paragraphs long

-I will be checking these intermittently and you will sometimes share these with classmates

Unit Assignments
Within each unit (usually 2 week segments) you will have a final assignment to write based
on the strategies we have practiced in class. These will be written at home, but you will be
given time to plan and draft/revise in class.

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Advanced ESL Writing, Fall 2016

Mid-Term
You will have a 1- hour midterm exercise in class during Week 5. More information will be
given in Weeks 3 and 4.
Final Portfolio
This will be a compilation of works you have done throughout the semester, including drafts,
peer reviews, and final papers. You will receive a detailed explanation of what the portfolio
will include in Week 7/8.
Attendance Policy
If a student misses 3 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course.
If the student is late for 5 or more classes, s/he cannot pass the course.
**PLEASE get the phone number/email of at least 2 classmates whom you can contact
in case you miss class and need to find out what the assignments are.**

Grading
Attendance and Participation: 10%
Homework / Writers Journals: 10%
Unit Assignments: 20%
Midterm: 25%
Final Portfolio: 35%
A+/B+/C+/Fail/Repeat
W

Excellent
A+ 97 100%
A 94 96%
A- 90 93%
Good
B+ 87 89%
B 84 86%
B- 80 83%
Satisfactory
C+ 77 79%
C 73 76%
C- 70 72%
(pass)
Poor (no pass)
69% or Below
D 63 66%
D- 60 62%
Withdrawal (With permission from the teacher and the Director,
the student withdrew from the course due to extenuating
circumstances)

Program Policies:
The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.
Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with
Disabilities (OASID) for information about registering with the office. You can reach OASID
by email at oasid@tc.columbia.edu, stop by 163 Thorndike Hall or call 212-678-3689.
Services are available only to students who are registered and submit appropriate
documentation. As your instructor, I am happy to discuss specific needs with you as well.

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Advanced ESL Writing, Fall 2016

It is the policy of Teachers College to respect its members observance of their major
religious holidays. Students should notify instructors at the beginning of the semester about
their wishes to observe holidays on days when class sessions are scheduled. Where academic
scheduling conflicts prove unavoidable, no student will be penalized for absence due to
religious reasons, and alternative means will be sought for satisfying the academic
requirements involved. If a suitable arrangement cannot be worked out between the student
and the instructor, students and instructors should consult the Program Director. If an
additional appeal is needed, it may be taken to the Provost.
Sexual Harassment and Violence Reporting: Teachers College is committed to maintaining a
safe environment for students. Because of this commitment and because of federal and state
regulations, we must advise you that if you tell any of your instructors about sexual
harassment or gender-based misconduct involving a member of the campus community, your
instructor is required to report this information to the Title IX Coordinator, Janice Robinson.
She will treat this information as private, but will need to follow up with you and possibly
look into the matter. The Ombuds officer for Gender-Based Misconduct is a confidential
resource available for students, staff, and faculty. Gender-based misconduct includes sexual
assault, stalking, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation,
and
gender-based
harassment.
For
more
information,
see
http://sexualrespect.columbia.edu/gender-based-misconduct-policy-students.

Have a great semester!