Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Welcome to ESOL Level 4 Reading!  I am Sandra Banke, your instructor.

In this class, you will improve your reading skills, learn new strategies, and enlarge your vocabulary.  Reading is like an instrument -- you need to practice, practice, practice to build up your proficiency!  

These are the materials we will use in class.

• A Closer Read - a nonfiction textbook. You can print this out, use the electronic version, or purchase a spiral-bound copy at the Rock Creek bookstore.  In this book, we will practice reading skills like skimming and scanning, finding the main idea, and summarizing.  Each unit is about a different hobby, such as gardening or sports. We will also learn a lot of new words!
• Stig Digs In - a fiction book. You can print this out, use the electronic version, or purchase a spiral-bound copy at the Rock Creek bookstore.  In this short novel, we will meet a dog named Stig and follow his adventures with his family and friends in Portland.
• Alma Strikes a Chord -- a fiction book. You can print this out or use the electronic version.  In this short novel, we learn about Alma. She wants to write a song for her boyfriend Quang, but she learns that actions speak louder than words.

I expect you to arrive on time and actively participate in our class meetings  "Active participation" means pay attention, listen, ask questions, and work with other students in small groups and pairs.  It also means to complete the homework on time and to contact me with questions.

I will post the Syllabus for the course sometime at the beginning of June.