ESL Fast Track 2

ESL Fast Track 2 consists of 4 courses which must be taken together. These courses are ESL 135, ESL 138, 139, and 198b Speech. 198b Speech will be known in the future as ESL 133.

In Fall 2009, the sections are ESL 135-S01, 138-S01, 139-S01, 198b-S01 and will be held from 8 am to 10:30 am M-R.

Fast Track 2 is a special 12-credit course designed for full-time students who have the time and energy to study English intensively, which means attending class for 2 ½ hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday as well as doing homework for about 24 hours each week. That is a combined total of 36 hours per week, which is equivalent to a full-time job.

Technology is an important aspect of Fast Track 2.

· For writing classes, all paragraphs and essays must be typed. There is also an online tutoring program for writing called Smarthinking, which students use.

· For reading/vocabulary, students must do homework fully online. There are instructor recordings of both the vocabulary and reading textbooks for students to improve their pronunciation of vocabulary words and their reading speed. These are available in CSN’s ANGEL learning course management system.

· Vocabulary practice is done through the textbook’s website, Townsendpress. Practice includes matching words and definitions as well as fill in the blank.

· In addition to class, conversation practice also takes place as homework through Wimba, which is located in ANGEL. Students must practice listening and speaking with the instructor and other students based on themes from class readings.

· Videos are also available either in Angel or in iTunes. There are about 10 related reading videos that associate textbook material with real life events as seen on TV. Also, there are about 200 1-minute vocabulary videos, 1 video for each word so that students can actually see for themselves that the high-level words in the vocabulary textbook are commonly used in conversation.

· For the speech class, students will learn how to use MS Powerpoint to create slideshows for their speeches. While presenting, students will be video-recorded and then have the opportunity to see themselves speaking.

Fast Track 2 is a wonderful experience for full-time ESL students who are dedicated to learning English! Hope to see you in class!