Academic Catalogs

ELL A049N: Speaking about Fiction-Intermediate

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/03/2025
Top Code 493087 - English as a Second Language - Integrated
Units 0 Total Units 
Hours 36 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Total Student Learning Hours 36
Course Credit Status Noncredit (N)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Basic Skills (B)
Repeatable Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit Yes
Grading Policy P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

This course is designed for intermediate English learners wanting to practice their speaking skills by engaging in extended discussions about substantive topics. Students will also work on improving their reading skills by summarizing and responding to various works of fiction. ADVISORY: ELL A046N or CASAS testing. Noncredit. NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE. Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Students will apply various strategies to engage in extended discussions of works of fiction and nonfiction following socially acceptable expectations.
  2. Students will demonstrate increased ability to follow grammar and pronunciation rules when speaking.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Using various listening strategies, appropriately interpret statements, exclamations, and a variety of questions, addressing miscommunication when necessary
  • 2. Verbally respond to level-appropriate works of fiction and nonfiction following stress, intonation and grammar rules most of the time
  • 3. Use appropriate vocabulary to respond to statements and questions about fiction writing.
  • 4. Use various conversation strategies to increase their participation in extended discussions about works of fiction and nonfiction
  • 5. Incorporate critical thinking and/or elements of their own experience in a reaction to various elements of a work of fiction and nonfiction
  • 6. Apply social and nonverbal communication elements to their conversations/presentations

Lecture Content

  1. Reading
    1. Fiction: plot, character, themes, point of view, etc.
    2. Nonfiction: Main idea, supporting details, audience, etc.
  2. Critical thinking
    1. Analysis
    2. Evaluation
    3. Response
  3. Cultural considerations
    1. Non-judgmental sharing of experience, attitudes, and feelings
    2. Concepts of free speech
  4. Vocabulary
    1. Some academic vocabulary and intermediate general lexicon
    2. Some content-specific
  5. Active listening strategies
    1. Restating what has been said
    2. Asking for clarification
    3. Tone
    4. Purpose
  6. Speaking
    1. Pronunciation
    2. Intonation Stress Thought groups Word forms Consonant clusters Vowel sounds Linking/fluency
  7. Conversation strategies
    1. Appropriate responses
    2. Beginning a conversation
    3. Maintaining a conversation
    4. Ending a conversation
    5. Staying on topic
    6. Turn-taking

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Enhanced NC Lect (NC1)
  • Live Online Enhanced NC Lect (NC9)
  • Online Enhanced NC Lect (NC5)

Instructional Techniques

A. Lecture and discussion B. Oral and written practice C. Oral pair and group work D. Use of computer software

Reading Assignments

Students will spend 1-2 hours each week reading level-appropriate works of fiction or nonfiction in print and online.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend 1-2 hours each week completing exercises requiring writing in preparation for their discussion of the texts.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 1-2 hours outside of class reading assigned materials or researching potential discussion topics.

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Short Quizzes
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Oral Presentations
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will apply critical thinking skills as they read, analyze, evaluate, and respond to fiction and nonfiction texts.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will read and summarize works of fiction and apply critical thinking and cultural knowledge to respond to them.

Resources Subscreen

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Eligible Discipline(s)

  • English as a Second Language (ESL): Master’s degree in TESL, TESOL, applied linguistics with a TESL emphasis, linguistics with a TESL emphasis, English with a TESL emphasis, or education with a TESL emphasis OR bachelor’s degree in TESL, TESOL, English with a TESL certificate, linguistics with a TESL certificate, applied linguistics with a TESL certificate, or any foreign language with a TESL certificate AND master’s degree in linguistics, applied linguistics, English, composition, bilingual/bicultural studies, reading, speech, or any foreign language OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.