Mt. San Antonio College
School of Continuing Education – English as a Second Language
Winter 2025
January 6, 2024 – February 16, 2024
Course Title: ESL Grammar and Vocabulary A
Course ID: ESL GVRA
CRN# 31916
8:30-12:35 pm Saturday
Instructor Name: Ioan Elvis Sersea Email: isersea@mtsac.edu Voice Mail: (949) 864-6623
Preferred Contact Method: Email/Voice Mail Class Location: Bldg. 66 Room 129
Class Website: https://esl.institute/gvra/ Class Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/gvra/
Teacher Website: https://esl.institute/maestrosersea/
Office Location: Bldg. 66 Rm. 129 Office Hours: Saturdays 8:00 AM–8:30AM and 12:35 PM-1:05 PM
Instructor Message:
Welcome to ESL Grammar and Vocabulary A, where we will work closely together to help you improve your American English grammar and vocabulary to communicate more effectively. As an immigrant who learned English as a third language when I moved here nearly 42 years ago, I understand and greatly appreciate your efforts as students to improve your American English and your lives. Throughout my teaching career of over 30 years, I have worked with thousands of English learners and am passionate about helping you succeed. In my class I encourage students to communicate and try their best. You learn best when you make mistakes and learn from them. Our class will include individual and group work, so be prepared to collaborate with your colleagues each day. During class we will work on individual and group projects. Our lessons will include handouts, videos, and a variety of exercises. I will post materials and extra credit activities as well as an audio podcast on our class website, so make sure you visit it regularly. Attendance is key to your success, so please make sure you come in on time each week to make the most of this class. I encourage you to ask many questions during class as well as meet with me during my office hours.
In addition to teaching English as a Second Language for three different colleges, I also have a variety of hobbies that I’m passionate about. I’ve published 7 books for English learners on Amazon. I have created more than 10 educational podcasts and over 30 educational websites. Recently, I became a music producer and have published four music albums on popular music streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and more. I look forward to helping you succeed.
Course Description:
Beginning level grammar and vocabulary review for English Language Learners. Practice with simple tenses, gerunds and infinitives, modals, questions, quantifiers, comparative and superlative adjective forms, and vocabulary. Focus on supporting students enrolled in beginning level ESL courses.
Course Measurable Objectives:
1. Accurately create affirmative and negative statements using simple present, present continuous, simple past, and simple future tenses.
2. Identify the correct gerund or infinitive to follow a given verb – SLO assessed.
3. Use modals to express conditions such as ability, permission, advice, and necessity.
4. Correctly form wh- and yes/no questions using present and past verb tenses – SLO assessed.
5. Select the correct quantifiers to use with count and non-count nouns.
6. Distinguish between comparative and superlative adjective forms.
7. Use vocabulary appropriate to personal, academic, and professional settings.
Materials:
- A 3-ring binder or a notebook with pockets
- 2 Pencils or pens
Grading Policy & Methods:
Grading (Pass = a total of 70% or higher out of a total of 1400 points)
Your final course grade will be based on the following:
42.86 % Attendance & Participation (6 days of participation at 100 points per day for a total of 600 points)
28.57 % Quizzes (4 quizzes at 100 points each) (Note: There are no “make-up” opportunities for quizzes)
28.57 % Exams (2 exams at 200 points each ) (Note: There are no “make-up” opportunities for exams)
100 % for final grade (1400 points total)
Extra Credit Assignments
There will be 5 extra-credit homework assignments worth 50 points each (250 extra-credit total points possible. These assignments will be published on our classroom website during Weeks 1-5.
We do not issue letter grades (A, B, C, D, and F) in our program. We give Pass, SP, or NP grade.
- Passing (P) is for those that move on to the next level.
- Satisfactory Progress (SP) is for those that are not ready to go to the next level but have shown improvement.
- Not-Passing (NP) is for those that receive neither SP nor P
| Pass (P) = 70% Overall Performance | Satisfactory Progress (SP) | No Pass (NP) |
| You will pass this course with an overall course grade of 70% or higher. | You will receive an SP with an overall course grade of 69% to 50% and will need to repeat the course. | You will receive an NP with an overall course grade of 49% or below and will need to repeat the course. |
Drop Guidelines
- Students may be dropped after 1 consecutive absence with no communication.
- Students attending less than 50% of the class for one week may be dropped.
Student Responsibilities
- Read the syllabus carefully and plan ahead!
It is important that you understand your responsibilities for this class and when assignments are due.
- Show respect for your teacher and classmates.
Arrive on time. Use your phone only if the teacher gives you permission. Listen when the teacher or your classmates are talking to the class.
- Use English only!
- Show up for class . . . on time!
Attendance is very important for your learning success and for your grade in class. 100% attendance is expected. Let me know if you need to arrive late, leave early, or miss a class!
- Be prepared for class.
Do your assignments on time. Bring them to class. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the syllabus and ask your classmates or teacher about assignment.
- Ask questions when you don’t understand something.
Your classmates will thank you, because they probably have the same question! If you have questions or concerns, please contact me. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me! I would love to talk to you and get to know you better.
ESL Resources
ESL Registration Desk
Bldg. 66, First Floor
Phone: 909-274-5235
Email: eslreg@mtsac.edu
Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)
Phone: 909-274-5236 (leave a message)
Email: veslprogram@mtsac.edu
Bldg. 66, Room 126
Phone: 909-274-5715 (leave a message)
Email: ESLcounseling@mtsac.edu
Language Learning Center (LLC)
Bldg. 77, Room 1005
Phone: 909-274-4580
Email: langlab@mtsac.edu
Policies and Procedures:
Academic Integrity
It is expected that all work submitted for grading is original, not copied from others, and that the work is done by the student receiving the grade. I want you to be successful in my class. Plagiarism and cheating can be confusing for students and have serious consequences. I want to encourage you to access the Mt. SAC Community College Code of Conduct Rule. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions prior to submitting any assignments.
- Other classroom rules and/or behavior policies, if applicable, such as acceptable electronic devices in class, labs, or during exams.
- A cheating policy and plagiarism policy may also be included.
ACCESS Statement
Mt. SAC strives to make our online courses accessible to everyone. We specifically consider design features that make our courses accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those using assistive technology for computer access. If you find a feature/course inaccessible to you, please contact the instructor, or Mt. SAC ACCESS Centers at (909) 594-5611, ext. 4290.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking are crimes that are not tolerated on this campus. Mt. San Antonio College has adopted Board Policies and procedures designed to prevent sexual crimes, stating sanctions for offenders, and supporting access to treatment and information for victims (Board Policies 3430, 3540, 5500). More information about the policy and Clery Act Reporting can be found at Campus Safety.
Health Alerts and Emergency Procedures
Updates on Mt. SAC’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can be found at Health Alert. Mt. SAC’s Emergency Procedures including general safety, fire, earthquake, and active shooter guidelines can be found at Emergency Procedures.
Mt. SAC Mission
The mission of Mt. San Antonio College is to support and empower all students in achieving their educational goals in an environment of academic excellence. Specifically, the College is committed to providing quality education, services, and workforce training so that students become contributing members of a diverse, sustainable, global society. The College pledges to serve students so that they may achieve their full educational potential for lifelong learning, for attaining associates degrees and certificates, for employment, and for the completion of career and transfer pathways. The College will carry out this commitment by providing an engaging and supportive teaching and learning environment for students of diverse origins, experiences, needs, abilities, and goals. The College is dedicated to serving our community through improving economic achievement, advancing civic engagement, enhancing personal well-being, developing critical thinking, and enriching aesthetic and cultural experiences.
School of Continuing Education Vision
The School of Continuing Education will empower all students to transform their lives through accessible and innovative educational opportunities.
Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs)
Institutional Level Outcomes (ILOs) are statements about the knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the College, including courses, programs, departments, and services.
| ILO #1 Communication Students effectively communicate with and respond to varied audiences in written, spoken or signed, and artistic forms. |
| Communication crosses all disciplines and may include a variety of activities, such as: · Comprehending, analyzing, and responding appropriately to oral, written, and visual information. · Reading and understanding the content and purpose of written material. · Speaking or signing to increase knowledge, foster understanding, or promote change. · Developing and expressing ideas in writing with clarity and fluency. |
| ILO #2 Critical Thinking Students apply creative, computational, and analytical skills to identify and solve problems, analyze information, synthesize and evaluate ideas, and transform existing ideas into new forms. |
| Critical thinking crosses all disciplines and may include a variety of activities, such as: · Analyzing content, meaning, and purpose from a variety of texts or materials. · Developing informed conclusions based upon the collection, examination, and synthesis of evidence. · Computing and analyzing multiple representations of quantitative information and/or data, including graphical, formulaic, numerical, verbal, and visual. · Designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies to answer questions or achieve goals. |
| ILO #3 Information and Technology Literacy Students will use resources and technologies to locate, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information in various formats. |
| Information and Technology literacy crosses all disciplines and may include a variety of activities, such as: · Locating, evaluating and choosing credible textual and other sources for information. · Interpreting the social, legal, and ethical uses of information. · Researching data and drawing conclusions based on an analysis of that data. · Using technologies to communicate, solve problems, and complete tasks. |
| ILO #4 Personal, Social, Civic, and Environmental Responsibility Students demonstrate awareness and respect for personal, social, civic, and environmental responsibilities. |
| Personal, social, civic, and environmental responsibility crosses all disciplines and may include a variety of activities, such as: · Setting, evaluating, and monitoring academic, career, financial, and personal goals. · Interpreting and managing physical and mental health needs. · Developing self-awareness in the areas of personal development, learning styles, and decision-making strategies. · Recognizing and respecting the beliefs, opinions, and values of other individuals and cultures. · Being informed about and participating in local, state, national, and global communities. · Evaluating environmental conservation and sustainability. |
Tentative Class Schedule
| Week & Date | What We Are Learning |
| Week 1: January 11 | Grammar 1: Understanding Simple Sentences Grammar 2: Understanding Affirmative and Negative Sentences with the “Be” Verb Grammar 3: Understanding Affirmative and Negative Sentences in the Simple Present Tense Vocabulary 1: Understanding When to Use Different Words Vocabulary 2: Emotions Vocabulary 3: Mental Health Vocabulary 4: Health QUIZ 1 |
| Week 2: January 18 | Grammar 1: Understanding Present Continuous: Affirmative and Negative Sentences Grammar 2: Affirmative and Negative Sentences in Simple Past Grammar 3: Simple Future Tense: Making Affirmative and Negative Sentences Vocabulary 1: Doctor Vocabulary 2: Hospital Vocabulary 3: Dentist QUIZ 2 |
| Week 3: January 25 | Grammar 1: Understanding Gerunds and Infinitives 1 Grammar 2: Understanding Gerunds and Infinitives 2 Vocabulary 1: Housing Vocabulary 2: Jobs Vocabulary 3: Banking MIDTERM EXAM |
| Week 4: February 1 | Grammar 1: Exploring Modals: Understanding Ability, Permission, Advice, and Necessity Grammar 2: Understanding Modals: Ability, Permission, Advice, and Neccesity Vocabulary 1: Transportation Vocabulary 2: Food Vocabulary 3: Clothes QUIZ 3 |
| Week 5: February 8 | Grammar 1: Understanding Questions: Forming WH- and Yes/No Questions Grammar 2: Exploring Questions: Wh- and Yes/No Questions Vocabulary 1: Furniture Vocabulary 2: Repairs Vocabulary 3: Phone QUIZ 4 |
| Week 6: February 15 | Grammar 1: Understanding Quantifiers: Count and Non-Count Nouns 1 Grammar 2: Understanding Quantifiers: Count and Non-Count Nouns Grammar 3: Understanding Comparative and Superlative Adjectives Vocabulary 1: Accident Vocabulary 2: Crime Vocabulary 3: Fire FINAL EXAM |
