AESL 702 Spring 2025 Syllabus
Saddleback College Adult Education
AESL 702NC – Beginning Low – Adult Education English as a Second Language: Course Syllabus
Course Information
- AESL 702NC Class Ticket #: 14235
- Course Dates: January 13, 2025 – May 15, 2025
- Class Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 6:00pm – 8:50pm
- Location: ATAS 102
- This class will be 100% in-person on the Saddleback College campus. Students must be able to attend all classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Contact Me
Instructor: Ioan Elvis Sersea, M.A., M.A.T.
Email: isersea@saddleback.edu
- This email address is the most reliable and best way of contacting me. Always make sure to check your college email.
- For email messages and replies, expect an approximate 24 to 48-hour turnaround time.
Office Hours: Students can meet with me before class 5:40 – 6pm and 8:50 to 9:10pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays or by appointment.
Important Dates
| First Week of Class Begins: | Monday, 1/13/2025 |
| First Class Meeting On: | Tuesday, 1/14/2025 |
| Add without Instructor Permission by: | Tuesday, 4/22/2025 |
| Last Day to Add with APC*: | Tuesday, 4/22/2025 |
| Drop with Refund by: | Sunday, 1/26/2025 |
| Drop without “W” Grade by: | Sunday, 2/2/2025 |
| Drop with “W” Grade by: | Tuesday, 4/22/2025 |
| Last Week of Class Ends: | Wednesday, 5/21/2025 |
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Holiday
February 14: President Lincoln’s Day – Holiday
February 17: Presidents’ Day – Holiday
March 16 – 22: Spring Break – Classes Not in Session
March 31: Cesar Chavez Day – Holiday
May 15th: Final Exam, Last Day of Class
Catalog Description
This is a non-credit open enrollment life skills course withing the Adult Education Department that is designed for students who have emerging literacy skills in English. Students will practice communication skills in everyday situations and build vocabulary through listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar activities.
Textbook & Materials Information
o Title: Ventures 1 o 3rd Edition o ISBN: 978-1-108-44955-7 o Audio Files Link o Students can borrow a copy of this textbook from the library. You can use this book during the semester, and then, you will return the book at the end of the semester. o Burlington English: https://app.burlingtonenglish.com/account/login
- Our Websites: https://aesl.us/aesl702maestrosersea/ and www.workskills.pro
- Our Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/aesl702withmaestrosersea/
Learning Objectives
- Identify or use appropriate language for informational purposes (e.g., to identify, describe, ask for information, state needs, command, agree or disagree, ask permission).
- Select, compute, or interpret appropriate standard measurement for length, width, perimeter, area, volume, height, or weight.
- Ask for, give, follow, or clarify directions.
- Identify and use necessary medications, including prescription, over the counter, and generic medications.
- Follow procedures for applying for a job, including interpreting, and completing job applications, resumes, and letters of application.
- Identify the U.S. flag, other national symbols and principal monuments.
- Analyze diagrams, illustrations, and scale drawings.
- Evaluate the outcome of an implemented solution and suggest modifications to the solution as needed.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Reading: Demonstrate achievement in reading comprehension through CASAS reading score of 191 or higher.
- Listening: Demonstrate achievement in listening through a CASAS listening score of 190 or higher.
- Cultural Diversity: Recognize acceptable cultural norms in the United States and compare with those of a different country.
Course Policies
Attendance: Good attendance is very important. You may be dropped from the class if you don’t attend class for two weeks or if you don’t attend six classes. Please message or email me if you can’t come to class.
Student Behavior
- Be respectful of others and their ideas.
- Be on time for class.
- Don’t bring any friends or family members to class. Students must be enrolled in the class to attend the class.
- If students are disrespectful to anyone in any way, those students can be asked to leave the class.
Student Responsibilities
- Be sure to attend class on time. o Hand-in assignments on the due date at the beginning of class. o No cheating or plagiarism in this course. o Other than DSPS services, there is no recording of anyone on any device during class unless the student gives permission.
- Don’t come to class sick. Just email me and let me know that you won’t be able to attend class.
- Turn off or silence all electronic devices. o Students will need to obtain a parking permit MySite. You need your car make, model, and license plate number.
- Students will need to check out their textbooks from the Saddleback College library. Students will need to have a Saddleback College ID OR office photo ID AND your Saddleback College ID number).
- If you would like a student ID, go to this link for instructions.
Grading Scale and Course Breakdown
Participation and Conversations: 50% of the grade
Assignments: 25% of the grade
Quizzes: 25% of the grade
| P | SP | NP |
| Passing 70% or higher overall average for all assessments, assigned activities, and homework from first day of attendance, with active participation in our class (frequent class engagement, consistent attendance, and completion of inclass and take-home assignments). You should move to the next level the following semester. (This includes “A,” “B,” or “C” grades.) | Satisfactory Pass Below 70% overall average for all assessments, assigned activities, and homework from first day of attendance, with mostly active participation. Students would benefit from repeating the course. You should stay at the same level the following semester. (This includes “D” grades.) | Not Passing Below 50% overall average for all assessments, assigned activities, and homework from first day of attendance, with poor participation (lack of class engagement, many absences, and lack of completion of in-class and take-home assignments). You should stay at the same level the following semester. (This includes non-passing “F” grades.) |
Academic Integrity
Cheating:
Students are not to copy each other’s quizzes/tests/exams, homework, and any/all assignments. You need to do your own work. If you copy someone else’s quiz/test/exam and homework, you will receive an “F” on the quiz/test/exam and homework or any assignment. No speaking during exams and no copying someone else’s exam. You can’t use cheat notes, write on your desk or any other item to assist you with the test unless recommended by the instructor. There will be a special seating chart on quiz/test days. See the Saddleback student handbook (page 52) for further information about cheating and plagiarism.
Plagiarism:
According to the Longman Dictionary of American English, plagiarism is “to take someone else’s words, ideas, etc. and copy them, pretending that they are your own.” (p. 606) Do not plagiarize in this class. You may be asked to rewrite the assignment in your own words. You can receive an “F” on the assignment and possibly in this class. If you are using someone else’s ideas, words, etc., then you need to utilize the appropriate citation. There will be no cheating of any kind. If you have any questions about cheating or plagiarism, please see me as soon as possible. See the Saddleback student handbook for further information about cheating and plagiarism.
If you feel that the class and/or an assignment might be beyond your abilities, please speak with the instructor instead of using another person’s ideas or work.
Tips for Success
- Attend classes and complete all assignments.
- Don’t fall behind in your assignments.
- Participate in class work, group work, and partner work.
- Get tutoring. You can receive free tutoring at the Tutoring Center in the LRC.
- Always ask questions.
Students with Disabilities
Students with a documented disability must inform the instructor regarding the appropriate accommodations needed to complete the requirements of this course. Please inform the instructor as soon as possible to discuss how to meet the specific accommodations. DSP&S (Disabled Students’ Programs & Services) is available in SSC 113 and the phone number is (949) 582-4885.
Unauthorized Recordings
“Other than Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) directed auxiliary aids and academic accommodations, the use of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom is prohibited without the explicit prior consent of the instructor (CA Ed Code Sec. 78907). It is in violation of South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) policies (BP 5401 & AR 5401) which address student conduct. It is also a crime to record any private communication, such as a classroom lecture, without the consent of all parties to the conversation (Cal. Penal Code § 632). Violation of such rules may result in disciplinary action.”
(Please note that the teacher reserves the right to make any necessary changes to the syllabus to accommodate the needs of the class. Students will be notified if any changes occur, and an updated syllabus will be on the Canvas site.)
Saddleback College Student Resources
Adult Education Support
Call this number to get support from our staff: 949-348-6850
Student Tech Support
Student Tech Support will be available via email scstudenttechsupport@saddleback.edu, phone (949) 582-4363 and Zoom by request Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Please visit the Student Technical Support page for more information.
Tutoring
To join AESL Tutoring, you must register for TU300 in MySite (ticket # 12860). AESL tutoring and conversation groups will be offered at Saddleback College (LRC 212). Please refer to the tutoring website for more information: https://www.saddleback.edu/student-support/tutoring-center
ESL Counselors
Call this number and leave a message in order to get an appointment: 949-348-6850
- Maryam Afshari (speaks Farsi), mafshari@saddleback.edu
- Selene Roman (speaks Spanish) sroman@saddleback.edu
- Jeanette Esquivel (speaks Spanish) jesquivelmorales@ivc.edu
- Norma Vasquez (speaks Spanish) nvasquez@saddleback.edu
- Abigail Vivas-Orozco (speaks Spanish)avivasorozco@saddleback.edu
Students with Disabilities
If you feel that you might have a disability-related educational limitation, you can get help at the
Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS). You can get more information here: Saddleback Students with Disabilities Site
STUDENT SUPPORT
The Student Support Hub is a one-stop for all the college support and services. Here are direct links to the following services:
Tentative Schedule: Note: Changes may be made to the schedule to meet the needs of students.
| Week | Schedule |
| Week 1 (Jan. 14, 15, 16) | Textbook: Welcome UnitVocabulary: Dolch Sight Words Pre-KTenses: Simple PresentUnderstanding Websites/Podcasts and Exploring our Website/PodcastSpeaking Skills: Complete Thoughts aka Simple-SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: Automotive TechnologyCareer Soft Skills: Introduction to Communication SkillsHOMEWORK: Review Welcome Unit from Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Welcome to English Class) |
| Week 2 (Jan. 21, 22, 23) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 1 – Part 1 or 2: Using Language to Share Information (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 1: Personal InformationVocabulary: Dolch Sight Words KTenses: Present Continuous TenseSpeaking Skills: Making Statements aka Declarative SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: BusinessCareer Soft Skills: Introduction to Critical ThinkingHOMEWORK: Review Unit 1 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 1. Personal Information) |
| Week 3 (Jan. 28, 29, 30) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 1 – Part 2 of 2: Using Language to Share Information (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 2: At SchoolVocabulary: Dolch Sight Words 1Tenses: Simple Past TenseSpeaking Skills: Asking Questions aka Interrogative SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: Child Development and EducationCareer Soft Skills: Positive Attitude – CooperationHOMEWORK: Review Unit 2 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 2. Education) |
| Week 4 (Feb. 4, 5, 6) | Monthly Attendance RaffleAESL 702: Learning Objective 2 – Part 1 of 2: Understanding Measurements (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 3: Friends and FamilyVocabulary Dolch Sight Words 2Tenses: Past Tense Continuous TenseSpeaking Skills: Making Commands aka Imperative SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: CosmetologyCareer Soft Skills: Positive Attitude – CourtesyHOMEWORK: Review Unit 3 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Catch Up with Previous Lessons) |
| Week 5 (Feb. 11, 12, 13) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 2 – Part 2 of 2: Understanding Measurements (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 4: HealthVocabulary Dolch Sight Words 3Tenses: Simple Future TenseSpeaking Skills: Expressing Strong Emotions aka Exclamatory SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: Culinary Arts and HospitalityCareer Soft Skills: Positive Attitude – FriendlinessHOMEWORK: Review Unit 4 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 5. Health) |
| Week 6 (Feb. 18, 19, 20) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 3 – Part 1 of 2: Understanding Directions and Medicines (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 5: Around TownVocabulary Dolch Sight Words Nouns 1/3Tenses: Future Continuous TenseWriting: Speaking in Clear and Complete Thoughts aka FragmentsSaddleback College Career Programs: Emergency Medical TechnicianCareer Soft Skills: Positive Attitude – RespectfulnessHOMEWORK: Review Unit 5 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 9. In the Community) |
| Week 7 (Feb. 25, 26, 27) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 3 – Part 2 of 2: Understanding Directions and Medicines (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Midterm Exam: Units 1-5Vocabulary Dolch Sight Words Nouns 2/3Speaking Skills: Using Short and Clear Statements aka Run-OnsSaddleback College Career Programs: Horticulture and Landscape DesignCareer Soft Skills: Teamwork – Accepting FeedbackHOMEWORK: Review Units 1-5 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Catch Up with Previous Lessons) |
| Week 8 (Mar. 4, 5, 6) | Monthly Attendance Raffle AESL 702: Learning Objective 4 – Part 1 of 2: How to Get a Job (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 6: TimeHandouts: Organizing Time with Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Schedules / Reaching the American Dream: Setting Short Term and Long Term Goals / “Skillful Scott” Effective Scheduling and Creation of Weekly Schedules Vocabulary Dolch Sight Words Nouns 3/3Speaking Skills: Using Singular and Plural Forms Correctly aka Subject-Verb AgreementSaddleback College Career Programs: Human ServicesCareer Soft Skills: Teamwork – CollaborationHOMEWORK: Review Unit 6 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Catch Up with Previous Lessons) |
| Week 9 (Mar. 11, 12, 13) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 4 – Part 2 of 2: How to Get a Job (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 7: ShoppingHandouts: Saving Money and Building Wealth Team Activity: “Good, Better, Best” Shopping Speaking Skills: Making statements with “And” aka Compound SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: Medical AssistingCareer Soft Skills: Teamwork – Customer ServiceHOMEWORK: Review Unit 7 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 4. Money Matters) |
| Week 10 (Mar. 18, 19, 20) | Spring Break – Classes Not in Session |
| Week 11 (Mar. 25, 26, 27) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 5 – Part 1 of 2: Discovering the US Flag and National Symbols (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 8: WorkHandouts: Employment Applications, Resumes, and Recommendation Letters / 100 Careers and Essential Skills for Career Success: Hard-Skills, Soft-Skills, Leadership SkillsComprehension Activity: Goals, Education, Jobs, and the American DreamTeam Activity: American CareersSpeaking Skills: Making statements with “Because” aka Complex SentencesSaddleback College Career Programs: Medical Laboratory TechnicianCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – AttentivenessHOMEWORK: Review Unit 8 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: 3. Getting a Job) |
| Week 12 (Apr. 1, 2, 3) | Monthly Attendance RaffleAESL 702: Learning Objective 5 – Part 2 of 2: Discovering the US Flag and National Symbols (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 9: Daily LivingSpeaking Skills: Introduction to Short Presentations aka ParagraphsSaddleback College Career Programs: NursingCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – DedicationHOMEWORK: Review Unit 9 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Catch Up with Previous Lessons) |
| Week 13 (Apr. 8, 9, 10) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 6 – Part 1 of 2: Understanding Diagrams and Illustrations (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Unit 10: Free TimeSpeaking Skills: Short Presentations: “My American Dream Career”Saddleback College Career Programs: NutritionCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – DependabilityHOMEWORK: Review Unit 10 Textbook and Burlington English: (Burlington Core Low Beginners: Student Lessons: Catch Up with Previous Lessons) |
| Week 14 (Apr. 15, 16, 17) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 6 – Part 2 of 2: Understanding Diagrams and Illustrations (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Units 6-10 ExamSpeaking Skills: Short Presentations: ““The Career Training I Want at Saddleback College”EL Civics Project 1/3Saddleback College Career Programs: Real EstateCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – Following DirectionHOMEWORK: Review Unit 6-10 Textbook |
| Week 15 (Apr. 22, 23, 24) | AESL 702: Learning Objective 7 – Part 1 of 2: Evaluating Solutions (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Review Units 1-5 and Units 1-5 Midterm Exam Retake OpportunitySpeaking Skills: “My American Dream”EL Civics Project 2/3Saddleback College Career Programs: Travel and TourismCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – PunctualityHOMEWORK: Review Units 1-5 Textbook |
| Week 16 (Apr. 29, 30 + May 1) | Monthly Attendance Raffle AESL 702: Learning Objective 7 – Part 2 of 2: Evaluating Solutions (Handouts and Activities)Textbook: Review Units 6-10 and Units 6-10 Exam Retake OpportunityEL Civics Project 3/3Saddleback College Career Programs: FashionCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – ReliabilityHOMEWORK: Review Units 6-10 Textbook |
| Week 17 (May 6, 7, 8) | EL Civics AssessmentCareer Soft Skills: Work Ethic – Working Well Under PressureSemester Review 2/2 |
| Week 18 (May 13,14,15) | Final Exam/Presentation PreparationAttendance AwardsMay 15th: Final Exam Presentation: “My 3 Career Soft Skills” |
