ESL 705: LOW-ADVANCED INTEGRATED SKILLS

CRN 71888 (noncredit)

Instructor: Rachel Pass

Instructor Contact information

Email Address: rachel_pass@cuesta.edu

Phone Number, call or text: 805-380-5283

Weekly class meetings on Zoom: Mondays & Wednesdays, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. (We will have a 20-minute break.)

Weekly student drop-in hours on Zoom (where you can check in with me and get help with class): Half an hour before class on both Mondays and Wednesdays and by appointment.

(Important note: I will send an email to you with the ConferZoom link before our first day of class.)

Welcome to ESL 705

My name is Rachel Pass, and I am excited to meet and work with you this term! I have been teaching since 2007 and have worked at Cuesta College since 2020. Below, you will find some information about how our online class will work. 

After you read it, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I will be happy to help!

Instructor Contact Expectations

The best and fastest way to contact me is email.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during week. I try to unplug on the weekends, so if you email me late Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, I will respond by Monday morning.  

Course Environment

This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to share information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, reading materials, the tools to receive and send course materials and assignments, and a grade book. You can communicate with me and with fellow students using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

We will have a final exam for this class. You will take it online through Canvas, and it will be due by the end of the day on December 13, 2024.

Class opens/Accessing Canvas

Before our class starts on Monday, August 12, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. You can access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the Canvas log-in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide. Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@cuesta.edu.   

Online Learning

If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. 

Is an online class for you?

• Go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self paced) Links to an external site; there are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. 
• If, after going through all of the tutorials, you do not feel that an online class will work for you, it may be best to sign up for an in-person class instead. 

Regular Effective Contact policy

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Timeline for assignment feedback

Quizzes are automatically graded and available for viewing in Canvas the Monday after they close. I grade writing assignments and discussion posts manually and they will be completed within 72 hours after the submission deadline. I will provide feedback for your discussion contributions by using the

Course Prerequisites

Note: This is a noncredit course in Cuesta College's ESL program. You must take a placement test to make sure that this is the correct level for you. Please contact the Cuesta College ESL office for more informationLinks to an external site. on the ESL program and the placement testing process. 

ESL 705 Course Description

Develops reading, writing, listening and speaking skills at the intermediate level.

CSS 705 Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate comprehension of intermediate level reading texts.
2. Write unified paragraphs using intermediate level vocabulary and grammar on familiar topics.
3. Communicate in conversations at the intermediate level.

Textbook and Materials

• We will be using the Ventures 3 Third Edition Student Book and Workbook. These are available from the ESL office on Campus. (We are hoping to offer them for free, but please check in with the ESL office to make sure they will be provided to you.)
• To complete the course, you will need to use a word processing program. You may choose from one of the following options or use another open-source program:
  • Microsoft Office for Free (including Word and Powerpoint) Links to an external site.
  • Google Docs
• You will also need to use Adobe ReaderLinks to an external site, which you can download for free, or a paid version of Adobe Acrobat to read digital documents.

Technical Support

Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or email support@instructure.com.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.  

Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome.  This may solve your problem!  Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications Links to an external site.

Accommodations

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) Links to an external site. or at 805-546-3148.

Course Evaluation 

This is a non-credit course. Instead of letter grades, each student will receive a P (Pass), SP (Satisfactory Progress), or NP (No Pass). A passing grade is 70% or higher.

PASS (P)

• Consistent attendance and participation
• 70% or more overall score on assignments, quizzes/tests, final exam
• Has met all student learning outcomes for the course
• Has demonstrated level ability but may have missed some assignments/tests

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS (SP)

• Showed improvement/progress in course, but not enough to pass
• Showed consistent effort but overall low scores
• Not in class long enough to adequately learn the materials
• Does not meet all student learning outcomes for the course

NO PASS (NP)

• Low attendance and participation
• Scored below acceptable range on quizzes, assignments, and exams

College & Course Policies

Academic Honesty Policy

I expect all students to complete the coursework assigned to the best of their ability. This means turning in your own work, using your own words, and citing your sources to avoid plagiarism. Violating these policies will lead to a discussion with me and you may end up with a 0 for the assignment. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct Links to an external site.

Add/Drop Policy

It is best to join online classes when they begin. However, if there is still space in the course, I will be happy to have you join us later in the term. Please contact me as soon as possible if you add the class after the first day so that I can help you get up to speed.

Please contact me right away if you are having trouble logging in or if you are experiencing other challenges that make it difficult for you to participate in class. I will work to help you overcome those obstacles and succeed in class.

In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops

• Add Policy Links to an external site.
• Drop Policy Links to an external site.

Waitlist Policy

Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions Links to an external site.

Get in touch

I look forward to meeting you on August 12, 2024! Please feel free to reach out before then with any questions or concerns regarding class.

Sincerely,

Rachel Pass, MAT, MA

she/they

Instructor for ESL and CSS

Cuesta College

805-380-5283