Course Descriptions

ADS 007 - ESOL General English Skills

Course Objectives:

1. employ listening strategies to improve the ability to respond appropriately,

2. demonstrate the ability to speak more clearly by applying common pronunciation rules,

3. utilize a range of conversation and discussion strategies to interact more effectively,

4. demonstrate the ability to read with purpose using a range of strategies for better comprehension,

5.determine meaning of unfamiliar words using vocabulary development strategies,

6. write in various rhetorical patterns based on organized models,

7. employ editing and revising strategies to peer and self-monitor writing,

8. use grammar appropriate to the language task,

9. identify commonly used phrasal verbs and idioms, and

10. demonstrate the ability to modify spoken and written language according to register or context.

ADS 008 - ESOL English Pronunciation Skills

Course Objectives:

1. recognize and correct pronunciation error patterns in speech,

2. identify vowel attributes to more accurately recognize and produce vowels sound in context,

3. contrast and produce individual consonants and consonant clusters,

4. identify unusual consonant sounds and related spelling patterns,

5. apply pronunciation rules to predict syllable, word and sentence stress,

6. recognize and produce reduced and connected speech,

7. contrast and produce common intonation patterns,

8. incorporate phrasing rules and pausing to improve clarity of speech,

9. demonstrate accent reduction by improving overall rhythm and intonation in speech, and

10. employ communication strategies and register appropriate to context.

ADS 014 - ESOL Transition Reading and Writing

prepare them to transition to further education or training. Topics to be covered include academic vocabulary development,

reading strategies, common text features in academic genre, and process writing according to academic models and

editing strategies.

Course Objectives:

1. develop effective academic vocabulary learning strategies;

2. employ various pre, mid, and post reading strategies to interpret academic text;

3. demonstrate the ability to paraphrase and summarize academic texts to accurately representmeaning;

4. identify and produce complex sentence structures common in academic texts;

5. recognize features of various academic rhetorical patterns from models;

6. use academic transition words to organize discourse;

7. use pre-writing and drafting skills to develop multi-paragraph essays that are clear and cohesive;

8. demonstrate the ability to engage in peer feedback and self-monitoring editing strategies to improve writing; and

9. cite sources using appropriate citation style.

ADS 075 - GED Mathematics Preparation

Educational Development (GED) Test. Topics to be covered include complex measurement, algebra, functions, patterns,

geometry, complex equations, plotting data, use of online calculator, symbol insertion, and word problems. This course will

prepare students to successfully answer technology-enhanced items including: multiple choice, down-drop, fill-in-the-blank,

drag-and-drop, and hot spot and manipulation of the online and hand-held calculator.

Course Objectives:

1. identify absolute value of a rational number;

2. determine when a numerical expression is undefined;

3. demonstrate the ability to factor polynomial expressions;

4. solve linear inequalities;

5. identify or graph the solution to a one variable and complex linear inequalities;

6. write linear inequalities to represent context;

7. demonstrate the ability represent or identify a function in a table or graph;

8. demonstrate the ability to build solution pathways through reasoning;

9. increase mathematical fluency;

10.interpret data standards and statistics;

11. solve word problems containing complex factoring, quadratic equations, and polynomials;

12. solve measurement problems containing complex figures;

13. use geometric formulas correctly to solve word problems;

14. demonstrate the ability to correctly insert mathematical symbols into fill-inthe- blank problems;

15. interpret and order data in line, scatter, and box-whisker plots; and

16. use successfully the online or hand-held calculator.

ADS 078 - GED Content Area Preparation

pass the GED test in the areas of reading, science, and social studies. Topics to be covered include interpretation of

informational passages, analysis of specific claims in scientific and historical reading, derive evidence and develop textbased

arguments, interpret scientific and historical information from tables, graphs, and diagrams, construct an analytic

response using source texts, and complete a timed response. Students will be prepared to successfully answer technologyenhanced

items including: drop-down, fill-in-the-blank, drag and drop, hot spot, and written response.

Course Objectives:

1. analyze passages to derive correct answers;

2. evaluate/assess validity of arguments and specific claims;

3. demonstrate the ability to support conclusions with text-based evidence;

4. interpret information in graphs, charts, tables, and pictures;

5. compose responses to source text by integrating reading and writing skills;

6. identify and apply major scientific and historical theories to scenarios;

7. interpret the ecological and economic impact of global issues;

8. apply key concepts and relevant ideas in response to a prompt;

9. analyze how ideas and events interact ; and

10. use the testapproved whiteboards to prepare responses.

ADS 134 - ESOL Expanded Reading and Writing Skills

Coures Objectives:

1. develop a range of vocabulary learning strategies;
2. employ various pre, mid, and post reading strategies;
3. demonstrate the ability to summarize articles including identifying author tone and purpose;
4. identify and produce complex sentence structures;
5. recognize and appropriately use logical connectors and transition words to organize discourse;
6. recognize features of various genre from writing models;
7. use pre-writing skills to organize and develop writing;
8. write a short composition demonstrating clear use of paragraphs to introduce,
support, and conclude; and
9. employ appropriate editing strategies to revise writing.

ADS 134 - ESOL Expanded Reading and Writing Skills

Course Objectives:

1. develop a range of vocabulary learning strategies;
2. employ various pre, mid, and post reading strategies;
3. demonstrate the ability to summarize articles including identifying author tone and purpose;
4. identify and produce complex sentence structures;
5. recognize and appropriately use logical connectors and transition words to organize discourse;
6. recognize features of various genre from writing models;
7. use pre-writing skills to organize and develop writing;
8. write a short composition demonstrating clear use of paragraphs to introduce,
support, and conclude; and
9. employ appropriate editing strategies to revise writing.

ADS 160 - GED Mathematics Preparation

ADS 301 - ESOL Level 1: Life Skills

reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation.

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate the ability to ask and answer simple yes/no and short answer questions;

2. demonstrate the ability to give and follow simple multi-step directions and instructions;

3. contrast individual consonant and vowel sounds;

4. recognize and produce sentence level intonation;

5. recognize and produce cardinal and ordinal numbers;

6. demonstrate the ability to listen/read for specific information or main idea;

7. interpret signs, symbols, charts and maps;

8. write simple sentences using appropriate punctuation;

9. write simple words or phrases from prompts or dictation; and

10. demonstrate the ability to begin to appropriately use continuous tense in the affirmative and negative.

ADS 302 - ESOL Level Intro: Life Skills

reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation.

Course Objectives:

1. recognize and respond to basic questions, greetings, and polite expressions;

2. demonstrate the ability to follow very basic directions and instructions;

3. demonstrate the ability to make letter-sound associations (phonemes);

4. recognize and produce letters and numbers;

5. identify U.S. coins and currency and values;

6. demonstrate the ability to listen and read from a picture model or simple texts;

7. interpret basic signs and symbols in environment;

8. demonstrate the ability to fill out personal information forms;

9. write simple words or phrases from prompts or dictation; and

10. demonstrate the ability to begin to appropriately use simple present tense in the affirmative and negative.

ADS 303 - ESOL Level 2 – Life Skills

include simple reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation.

Course Objectives:

1. converse on familiar topics and express basic needs;

2. express a lack of understanding and ask for clarification;

3. recognize and produce word endings and linking;

4. distinguish word syllables and stress;

5. use prediction as a reading or listening strategy;

6. complete/create simple forms or charts;

7. use graphic organizers;

8. write lists, notes, and messages;

9. write a simple paragraph with appropriate punctuation according to a model; and

10. begin to appropriately use past tense in the affirmative and negative.

ADS 304 - ESOL Level 3 – EL Civics

concepts. Topics to be covered include more complex reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation,

along with civics concepts.

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate the ability to participate in routine social conversations in familiar contexts,

2. express agreement or disagreement and give an opinion,

3. identify and produce sentence stress,

4. identify thought groups in speaking and reading,

5. demonstrate the ability to listen/read for specific information and to make inferences and take notes,

6. use pre-writing and editing strategies,

7. write a descriptive paragraph with details on a familiar topic,

8. demonstrate the ability to begin to appropriately use the perfect tense,

9. demonstrate the ability to begin to understand U.S. Civics concepts, and

10. compare/contrast U.S. and home country civics concepts.

ADS 305 - ESOL Level 4 – EL Civics

concepts. Topics to be covered include more complex reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and pronunciation

along with civics concepts.

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate the ability to participate in conversations on less familiar topics,

2. use conversation strategies,

3. demonstrate the ability to listen/read for meaning and author tone,

4. identify focus and emphasis in speaking in writing,

5. demonstrate the ability to read and understand multi-paragraph selections in different genre,

6. use brainstorming, drafting, revising strategies in writing,

7. write a multi-paragraph essay on a topic,

8. demonstrate the ability to begin to appropriately use conditionals and understand conditional sentences,

9. demonstrate the ability to build on understanding of U.S. civics concepts, and

10. identify most important differences between U.S. and home country civics concepts.

ADS 311 - Essential Skills I

Course Objectives:

1. use reading skills, including work attack skills and word recognition;

2. identify the main idea of a reading passage in the content areas;

3. demonstrate the ability to answer questions concerning sequence, inference, and comprehension for level specific

reading material in the content area;

4. write a cohesive paragraph;

5. demonstrate improved writing skills, including correct sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation; and

6. solve mathematical problems using basic arithmetic computation.

ADS 312 - Essential Skills II

Essential Skills III. Topics to be covered include reading comprehension improvement, parts of speech, vocabulary,

sentence structure, paragraph development, critical thinking skills, decimals, fractions, percentages, and problem solving.

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate an understanding of problem solving techniques and how to apply them to reading comprehension in the

content areas;

2. identify and use simple, compound, and complex sentences;

3. plan and write a paragraph;

4. demonstrate an understanding of how to locate information in reference material;

5. write complex paragraphs;

6. use decimals to calculate unit price;

7. develop the ability to convert between fractions, decimals, and percentages;

8. develop the ability to compute basic math problems with emphasis on problem solving; and

9. demonstrate an understanding of measurement skills in linear, area, and volume.

ADS 313 - Essential Skills III

GED course. Topics to be covered include reading comprehension for complex passages, content instruction in science

and social studies, essay development, critical thinking skills, basic geometry, and basic algebra.

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate an understanding of content in social studies for level specific material,

2. demonstrate an understanding of content in science for level specific material,

3. plan and write complex paragraphs,

3. plan and write an essay,

4. demonstrate an understanding of computing math problems using fractions, decimals, and percentages; and

5. perform basic geometry and algebraic functions with an emphasis on problem solving.

ADS 558 - External Diploma Program Skills Review

Course Objectives:

1. demonstrate an understanding of general competence in test-taking skills on a standardized test;
2. identify the specific competencies needed to pass each of the six instruments necessary to begin the assessment phase of the External Diploma Program:
     a. computation- knowledge of operations, word problems, and logic related to whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents;
     b. writing skills- appropriate use of ordering in a passage, dictation, sentence relationships and paragraphing;
     c. reading skills- recognize main ideas, making inferences, interpreting charts and graphs, application of an idea and use of a supporting detail;
     d. job aptitude- evaluation of components necessary to search and select job categories;
     e. experiential assessment- evaluation of past experiences to identify an individual job skill;
     f. self identification of skills- evaluation of life skills one possesses through past experience and those necessary to be developed to ensure successful completion of the high school credential.
 

ADS 788 - External Diploma Program Portfolio Assessment

Course Objectives:

1. recognize the relationship of prior learning to degree/life goals;
2. identify personal, career, and educational goals;
3. identify resources for further education and training;
4. identify and describe in detail the components of a current job or past job history;
5. identify and exercise political and civic participation in a democracy;
6. identify, analyze, and interpret informational and literary texts;
7. write to present, explain, and examine information and ideas;
8. demonstrate the ability to make oral presentations, with content and language appropriate for the purpose and audience;
9. demonstrate an understanding of local, national, and global geography;
10. use numbers sense and operations;
11. analyze and solve equations;
12. apply knowledge of geometry and measurement;
13. analyze and interpret statistics and data;
14. interpret information to demonstrate financial planning;
15. use technology for research, organizing, and communicating information and problem solving; and
16. use the scientific method to collect, investigate, hypothesize, and analyze information.

ADS 990 - ESOL English for Business Communication

skills in the field of business. Students will learn how to better establish and maintain business relationships. Topics to be

covered include language for meetings, presentations, collaborations, negotiations, and social interactions.

Course Objectives:

1. distinguish between different business organization and management models,

2. demonstrate the ability to collaboratively work on or with a team,

3. establish and maintain business relationships,

4. demonstrate the ability to appropriately use business terminology in speaking and writing,

5. formulate and respond to requests in a business setting,

6. analyze and share business data,

7. demonstrate the ability to navigate business meetings,

8. demonstrate an understanding of and use the language of negotiation,

9. write or present on a business topic, and

10. explore career advancement in the field of business.