EL502/ 507: Reading 1a/ b (4 units, 0 credits)

Rachel Monn, Adjunct Instructor in ESL
Winter 2008 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This 10-week course strengthens academic reading skills for the Intermediate level student. Every week, students practice reading strategies that enable students to read faster, build comprehension, and sharpen study skills. Students read a variety of texts and perform reading tasks that are typical of seminary study. In particular, students learn the building blocks of academic reading.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Applying pre-reading strategies to academic texts
2. Skimming texts to find main ideas
3. Scanning texts to locate specific information
4. Increasing academic reading rate and improving comprehension
5. Identifying meaning in new vocabulary through context clues/ word forms
6. Recognizing main ideas
7. Identifying supporting ideas
8. Recognizing implied main ideas and central point
9. Understanding organization and relationship of ideas
10. Develop effective study skills and critical thinking skills for reading assignments
11. Gain exposure to a variety of Christian literature and themes common in seminary

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Students actively engage in academic reading, exercises, small group work, presentations, lectures, and discussions.

REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1. Dodd, Debbie. Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English. Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS), 2003.

2. Langan, John. Ten Steps to Advanced Reading. Townsend Press, 2003.
3. Kraybill, Donald B. The Upside-Down Kingdom. Herald Press, 1990.
4. Stott, John R. W. Christian Mission in the Modern World. Intervarsity Press, 1975.

RECOMMENDED READING:

1. Folse, Keith S. Intermediate Reading Practices: Building Reading & Vocabulary Skills. (Revised edition) University of Michigan Press, 1993.
2. Levine, Deena R. and Mara B. Adelman. Beyond Language: Cross-Cultural Communication. ( 2nd ed.) Prentice Hall Regents, 1993.
3. Levine, Deena R., Jim Baxter, and Piper McNutty. The Culture Puzzle: Cross-Cultural Communication for English as a Second Language. Prentice Hall Regents, 1987.
4. Baudoin, Margaret E. et al. Reader’s Choice. (3rd ed.) Univ. of Michigan Press, 1994.

ASSIGNMENTS: This noncredit course is “Satisfactory” or “Not Satisfactory.” The following requirements are designed to strengthen cultural and English language fluency, particularly reading skills:
1. Class participation and preparation (weekly reading, oral and written assignments)
2. Weekly theological terms quizzes
3. Four 500-word book reviews (two book reviews for required reading, and two book reviews of student choice).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets partial requirements to advance within the ESL Program.

FINAL EXAM: ESL Exit Exam.

Note: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design, but is subject to modification. Last Date Edited: 10 October 2007