Revised 12/2023

ESL 42 - Reading II (5 CR.)

Course Description

Helps students improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary. Improves students' reading proficiency to a level which would allow students to function adequately in ESL Level 5 and other college courses. Credits are not applicable toward graduation. Lecture 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To improve the reading ability of students and build such skills as vocabulary development, comprehension and basic study skills. Emphasis in the course is on reading and responding to readings in written form 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

An English placement test recommendation for ESL Level 4 or successful completion of ESL 32.

Corequisite: ESL 41; corequisite is not required to be taken in the same semester

Course Objectives

Goal 1 - Students will acquire the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills necessary to succeed in advanced ESL reading courses and other college courses.

Objectives

Using reading materials appropriate for the level of instruction, including both fiction and non- fiction, students will be able to:

  • relate new information to prior knowledge
  • make predictions about the content of materials they are given to read
  • skim and scan for specific reading purposes
  • differentiate main ideas from major and minor supporting details in written materials
  • recognize text patterns and relationships between ideas
  • draw valid conclusions from a variety of graphic aids
    • maps
    • charts
    • graphs
    • diagrams
  • demonstrate increased word power on a continuous basis by successfully using context clues, the dictionary, and their knowledge of word parts
  • make inferences

Goal 2 - Students will integrate their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to promote thinking and learning.

Objectives

Using reading materials appropriate for the level of instruction, including both fiction and non- fiction, student will be able to:

  • identify and use pre-reading, skimming, scanning, and close reading processes
  • comprehend the literal meaning in different types of readings for different purposes
  • paraphrase and summarize text without plagiarizing or changing the substantive meanings
  • refine strategies for annotations

Goal 3 - Students will be able to independently apply active reading strategies appropriately.

Objectives

Using reading materials appropriate for the level of instruction, including both fiction and non- fiction, student will be able to:

  • differentiate among facts, opinions, assumptions, and inferences in reading, writing, and speaking
  • apply basic research skills to explore topics related to class reading materials
  • demonstrate the ability to draw valid conclusions from a variety of reading tasks

Goal 4 - Students will increase their self-confidence in their ability to be effective readers.

Objectives

Using reading materials appropriate for the level of instruction, including both fiction and non- fiction, student will be able to:

  • develop collaborative academic skills, such as discussion skills and negotiation
  • develop goal-setting strategies for academic success
  • identify individual strengths in reading

Goal 5 - Students will understand the role of reading in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • comprehend and appreciate a variety of written materials for various purposes
  • demonstrate the ability to assume a variety of roles as readers (decode, evaluate, analyze, make meaning from text)

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Comprehension skills
    • identifying main ideas
    • locating supporting details
    • recognizing organizational patterns
    • distinguishing fact and opinion
    • drawing conclusions and making inferences
  • Writing summaries
    • analyzing literature
    • responding affectively to reading
    • paraphrasing
  • Vocabulary development
    • using the dictionary
    • identifying and using word forms appropriately
    • using contextual clues
    • expanding vocabulary through extensive reading
  • Study skills
    • developing note-taking skills
    • informal outlining
    • paraphrasing
    • developing test-taking strategies
    • library use
    • computer use
    • research skills
    • study groups
    • understanding and following oral and written directions
  • Understanding the reading process
    • recognizing and improving reading and learning habits
    • recognizing the need for flexible reading and processing rates
    • responding in journal writing