Introducing Explorations: Advanced Academic Writing

Explorations is an English class that focuses on developing the reading, writing, and vocabulary skills that high school English language learners need to succeed. This course is intended to give students the opportunity to move beyond general English classes and participate in an English for Academic Purposes classroom environment. Through a variety of in-class reading and vocabulary activities, essay assignments, and a final portfolio, students will improve their language skills and become more comfortable using English in an academic environment.

How does Explorations get there?

This course consists of 25 one-hour classes that aim to help advanced language learners refine their knowledge of academic English. Through taking this course, students will accomplish the following goals:

Learn

*learn how to quickly read and decipher information-rich texts 

*learn how to craft essays quickly 

*learn vocabulary for academic English 

Create

*create a portfolio of essays  

*create a general science PowerPoint presentation

*create a set of academic vocabulary flash cards

Improve 

*receive thorough writing feedback and suggestions for improvement based on continual assessment

Instructors
Explorations’ teachers are committed to helping their students develop important reading and writing skills. Through clear instructions, dynamic activities, and personalized feedback, our instructors help students get the most out of the course material.  All of our instructors have extensive experience working with English language learners and know how to adapt the course material to the needs of their students, helping them get the most out of every class. 

Class Organization

This class is divided into four units that each focus on a different theme. Within each unit, students will build their vocabulary around that theme and develop critical reading skills. Students will also practice a wide variety of different types of essays to reinforce their writing skills.

In Unit 1: Health and Fitness, students will:

·      read authentic source material relating to issues of health and wellness

·      study vocabulary related to health

·      learn the structure of an argumentative essay

·      study the following essay elements:

o   sentence structure

o   thesis

o   unity

o   organization

·      outline and write an argumentative essay

In Unit 2: General Science, students will:

·      read authentic source material relating to areas of scientific inquiry

·      study vocabulary related to scientific content

·      learn the structure of a process essay and a cause/effect essay

·      learn the structure of an oral presentation and slideshow

·      outline and write a process essay

·      outline and write a cause and effect essay

·      create a science-based oral presentation and slideshow

In Unit 3: Prehistory and Ancient History, students will:

·      read authentic source material relating to prehistory and ancient history

·      study vocabulary related to prehistory and ancient history

·      learn the structure of a biographical essay and a compare/contrast essay

·      outline and write a biographical essay

·      outline and write a compare/contrast essay

In Unit 4: Short Stories, students will:

·      read two short stories

·      study vocabulary related to the stories

·      learn the structure of a literary analysis

·      study the following essay elements:

o   textual evidence

o   literary elements: plot, setting, character, point of view, theme

·      outline and write a literary analysis of one of the two stories