Course Outline for English As A Second Language 225
Basic Spelling

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev:

Catalog Description:

ESL 225 - Basic Spelling

36.00 Hours

May be repeated 99 time(s)
This course covers the basic sound/spelling patterns of English. Topics include open and closed syllables, short and long vowel sounds, consonant and consonant cluster sounds, spelling of homophones and other problem words in everyday English.
CB03: TOP Code 4930.84 - English as a Second Language - Writing
CIP Code 32.0109 - Second Language Learning.
Course Grading: Pass/No Pass/Satisfactory Progress
Type Hours
Lecture 36.00
Total 36.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of common English letter combinations, prefixes, suffixes and roots to identify spelling errors;
  2. Apply rules of English syllables and phonics to spell new words;
  3. Apply the correct spelling of homophones and words from the 250 most commonly used English words.

Course Content:

  1. Syllables and phonics
    1. open and closed syllables
    2. short and long vowels (CVC versus CVVC/CVCV)
    3. consonants and consonant clusters
  2. Orthography and Morphology
    1. Common letter combinations and patterns
    2. Common prefixes, suffixes and roots
    3. Spelling rules for adding suffixes (y-->ies, doubling rules)
  3. Word level spelling
    1. 250 words from the most common words in English lists, three letters and up
    2. Homophones (there/their)
    3. Common problem words

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Group Activities
  2. Use of Recordings
  3. Distance Education
  4. Practice/Demonstration
  5. Laboratory exercises
  6. Lectures
  7. Textbook reading assignments
  8. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  9. Hands-on Activities
  10. Diagnostic Quizzes
  11. Handouts and rule interpretations.
  12. Written assignments
  13. Presentation

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Sort words into a chart of short and long vowel sounds
  2. Write example sentences using the correct meaning of the homophones: there/their, our/hour, your/you're and break/brake
  3. Create flashcards for the next 15 words on our list of most common English words. Quiz your partner on the spelling.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Assigned activities
  2. Class Work
  3. Exams/Tests
  4. Final Examination or Project
  5. Homework
  6. Journals
  7. Midterm Examination
  8. Written assignments
  9. Projects
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Use the patterns of English syllables, phonics, spelling and morphology studied in class to make reasonable guesses about the spelling of new words;
  2. Spell words from the class list, including the 250 most common English words and homophones, with at least 80% accuracy.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Gail V. Rice (2010). Focus on Phonics 4 New Readers Press.
  2. Tim Brown and Deborah F. Knight (1990). Patterns in Spelling Book 3 New Readers Press.
  3. H. Elaine Kirn (2016). Practical Everyday Spelling Workbook (Phonics and Spelling) Natl Textbook Co Trade.
Additional Materials:

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Improve your English spelling by learning the most common sound/spelling patterns as well as the most frequent spelling errors to avoid.

Discipline:
English as a Second Language (ESL): Noncredit