Academic Catalogs

ELL C084N: English Idioms and Contemporary Expressions-High Intermediate to Advanced

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 04/26/2024
Top Code 493086 - English as a Second Language - Speaking/Listening
Units 0 Total Units 
Hours 36 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 36)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Noncredit (N)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Basic Skills (B)
Repeatable Yes; Repeat Limit 99
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy P/NP/SP Non-Credit (D)

Course Description

Formerly: ESL C084N. This is a high intermediate to advanced English Language Learning (ELL) course focusing on high-frequency American English idioms, phrases, and contemporary expressions used by native speakers in workplace, social, and academic settings. ADVISORY: Students who have completed ESL C042N Reading, Writing, and Grammar 2B with a Pass are encouraged to enroll in this course or new students are advised to complete the ESL placement process to determine their initial placement. (NOT DEGREE APPLICABLE.) Not Transferable.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Recognize and use the most common English idioms and expressions appropriately.
  2. Pronounce high-frequency English idioms and expressions using appropriate intonation, stress, pitch, and reductions.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of grammar associated with common English idioms and expressions.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Recognize, understand, and use common American English idioms and contemporary expressions.
  • 2. Recognize appropriateness of idioms for different social and cultural contexts and levels of formality.
  • 3. Differentiate between literal and figurative meanings.
  • 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the grammatical requirements of high-frequency idioms and expressions.

Lecture Content

High-frequency American English idioms, phrases, and contemporary expressions in spoken and written contexts. Idioms, phrases, and common expressions in context Related, similar and opposite (in appearance and/or meaning) idioms and expressions Levels of formality of idioms and expressions Pronunciation Appropriate intonation, stress, pitch, and reductions used with common American English idioms and expressions Grammar Separable and inseparable phrasal verbs Verb tenses and grammatical structures associated with each idiom and expression Collocations for common idioms and expressions

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Enhanced NC Lect (NC1)

Instructional Techniques

Class sessions may include lectures, discussions, interactive role-playing, and individual, pair, small group, and whole class speaking and listening activities.

Reading Assignments

Reading assignments may include reading mini-dialogues with idiomatic expressions and answering comprehension questions.

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments may include cloze, dictation, and information gap exercises using idioms and expressions.

Out-of-class Assignments

Out-of-class assignments may include listening, speaking, and other technology-based exercises.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students analyze and share the similarities between American English idioms or expressions and those in their native languages. Student may share their cultural values implied by the idioms or expressions.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students research and write new idioms or expressions from a source outside of the classroom related to a contemporary topic or word. Using examples, students present and explain their new idioms to the class.

Eligible Disciplines

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.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Burke, David. Street Speak 2, 2024 ed. Playa Vista, CA: Slangman Publishing, 2024 Rationale: This edition has been published very recently and contains updated idioms in American English.

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library 2. English Grammar.org/idioms