Course Description

     Transitional English continues student development of English language skills in reading, writing, and speaking. It is an intermediary course for ESL III graduates and others who need assistance in English language skills before entering Freshman English.

     This course concentrates on reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

     Writing formal English sentences and paragraphs requires concentration and is a vital part of success in American culture. Summary and comparison contrast paragraphs are taught throughout each semester.

FIRST SEMESTER

     Thirty Literary Terms acclimate students to the arena of analyzing literature. These terms also assist students to become better writers.

     Parts of Speech

     Basic parts of English grammar are presented to help students understand the fundamentals of English sentence structure. This unit concludes with students diagramming sentences in order to visualize how English sentences are structured.

     Oral Reading Assessments

     Several short timed literary pieces are read by students. They are guided in how to improve their verbal pronunciation of English words in a structured setting.

     Reading Assignments

     Reading comprehension skills are practiced through the use of Visions: Language, Literature, and Content. Also, students are guided in the skill of accurately responding to questions in written responses.

     Paragraph Writing

     How to write summary and comparison/contrast paragraphs is taught with an emphasis on gathering pertinent information and organizing the information in an orderly fashion.

     Public Speaking

     Presenting a personal introductory / career speech is a requirement for successfully passing Transitional English in the first semester. This unit is structured around a visit to the Career Center at Wenatchee High School.

Grading Scale for First Semester

Tests & Quizzes              50%

Assignments                   50%

"Last Cover"   Student art sample demonstrating an ability to visualize a reading idea.

SECOND SEMESTER

     Skills learned in first semester are further developed:

          Writing sentences and paragraphs,

          Reading comprehension skills, and

          English grammar and sentence structure.

     Reading Assignments

     The ability to read graphs, charts, and diagrams is a valuable ability. The first unit approaches these means of communication. Also, the student's ability to write correct English responses is emphasized.

     Later, several short stories and poetry are analyzed. Reading comprehension and writing correct responses to questions are primarily emphasized. Summary and comparison contrast writing skills also form a part of these reading assignments.

     The second half of the semester looks at John Steinbeck's novella The Red Pony. Steinbeck's story stretches student learning in several important disciplines: particularly with  increasing vocabulary skills as well as the opportunity to analyze important social issues like disappointment, prejudice, personal responsibility, and compassion toward others.

     Writing Assignments

     During the reading of The Red Pony students will write several summary paragraphs. From information in chapter two a descriptive paragraph will be developed.

     Oral Reading Assessments

     This exercise continues from First Semester. Students are guided in a timed reading to emphasize verbally reading English passages with greater accuracy.

     Public Speaking

     Students will read a selected passage from a piece of literature to present in class. Emphasis on correct word pronunciation, enunciation, as well as verbal interpretation challenges students to become better acquainted with formal English speaking.

Grading Scale for 2nd Semester

Tests & Quizzes              50%

Assignments                   50%