Writing

CULTURES OF THE WORLD

6 wks · Sept 15–Oct 20
Tuesday · 6–7:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 306 · $55

Instructor: Carolyn Ybarra Register Now »

Want to know more about Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico? Not sure who the Hmong or the "lost boys of Sudan" are? Learn about people, cultures and countries that impact our contemporary lives. Who are our immigrants today? What do they have in common with our own immigrant ancestors? Learn about cross-cultural understanding that can help us navigate the globe and our own diverse neighborhoods.

ESL ON THE COMPUTER

6 wks · Sept 17–Nov 19
Thursday · 6:30–9:00 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 410 · $35

Instructor: Sarah Gitter Register Now »

For Low-Beginning to Advanced ESL Students

Have fun using a computer and the Internet to study English. You’ll explore different websites with a teacher and then study at your own level.

ESL CONVERSATION "Book Club"

10 wks · Sept 18–Nov 20
Friday · 9–11 a.m.
Greendell ESL Office · $100

Instructor: Sarah Gitter Register Now »

Enhance your conversation skills in a relaxed environment. Read a short story at home and then join us for shared snacks and stimulating discussion of the story. Recommended for advanced English learners.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR FOR THE ADVANCED ESL STUDENT (First Quarter; Chapters 1–8)

FIRST QUARTER
10 wks · Sept 17–Nov 19
Thursday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 214 · $120

Instructor: Elizabeth Bales-Stutes, elbales4paas@yahoo.com Register Now »

Prerequisite: Advanced English skills.

Get more comfortable with grammar! You’ll improve your speaking and writing skills as we cover tricky points of grammar and increase your understanding of the structure of good English. We’ll use exercises from a textbook and natural conversation to practice what you learn. Please purchase a required textbook at the Adult School office before the first class meeting. You may enter this course in any quarter.

ENGLISH THROUGH CURRENT AFFAIRS

10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
Tuesday · 6–8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 309 · $120

Instructor: Mitra Bahrami, mitrabv@gmail.com Register Now »

Prerequisite: Advanced English skills.

Will China, India and Brazil replace the US as the engine of the world economy? Are the industrialized nations doing enough to combat global warming? Can we rid the world of nuclear weapons? By reading, discussing and analyzing the important news of the day, you will refine your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar and enhance your writing skills. Recommended for advanced English learners.

ENGLISH THROUGH FICTION, MOVIES, MUSIC AND CURRENT EVENTS

Movies:
10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
Monday · 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Greendell · $120

Fiction:
10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
Monday · 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Greendell · $120

Current Events:
10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
Monday · 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Greendell · $120

Music:
10 wks · Sept 14–Nov 16
Monday · 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Greendell · $120

Instructor: Mitra Bahrami, mitrabv@gmail.com Register Now »

Explore different aspects of American life in a fun and engaging way. Decipher the important news of the day, discover the works of well-known writers and take a journey deep inside American society by becoming acquainted with American history and customs through "pop culture" movies and music. While analyzing and discussing a variety of media in small group settings, you will expand your circle of friends, refine your pronunciation, broaden your vocabulary, improve your grammar and enhance your overall command of the English language. Recommended for intermediate to advanced English learners. Enroll in one or all four:

 

FOCUS ON ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
Tuesday · 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 214 · $120

Instructor: Sharon Mason Register Now »

Prerequisite: High Intermediate ESL vocabulary and grammar.

Master the basics of American English pronunciation: stress, rhythm and intonation. Distinguish between clear and reduced sounds in North American speech. This class is suitable for intermediate and lowadvanced non-native speakers. Textbook required for an additional fee is available at the Adult School.

IMPROVE YOUR PRESENTATION AND WRITING SKILLS

10 wks · Sept 17–Nov 19
Thursday · 6–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 307 · $180

Instructor: Mitra Bahrami, mitrabv@gmail.com Register Now »

Should you begin your presentation with a joke or a quote? How should your body language be? Is your writing structured well? Does it have the right tone and style? By reviewing your writing and presentations in a class setting, you improve your skills and learn new tips and techniques! Recommended for advanced English learners.

POETRY APPRECIATION

6 wks · Sept 15–Oct 20
Tuesday · 1:30–3 p.m.
Location TBA (Check the website) · $55

Instructor: Carolyn Ybarra Register Now »

Poetry can sharpen your appreciation of life, and give you a fresh view of the world. Poetry speaks to the heart. Forget those stressful school days of memorizing and analyzing; our emphasis will be on relaxing, reading aloud and having fun. (We’ll explore meter, rhyme and free verse along the way!) Join us for poetry by Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, e.e. cummings, William Wordsworth, contemporary poets Jane Hirschfeld, Billy Collins, Robert Hass and others. Bring in your favorites to share with the class. Optional: try your hand at writing your own poems.

SUCCESSFUL JOB SEEKING FOR ADVANCED NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS

10 wks · Sept 15–Nov 17
Tuesday · 6–8 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 305 · $120

Instructor: Alex Scott, ascott@pausd.org Register Now »

Write a résumé and cover letter that will get you noticed for all the right reasons. In this class you will learn the special language that will make your résumé and cover letter look professional and polished. You will develop a "circle of contacts" to help you access the hidden job market and practice interviewing with confidence. Make your job search a success even in a tough economy! Note: This course was developed for advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) students, but is open to all.

TOEFL PREPARATION: Reading, Vocabulary, Listening and Speaking

9 wks · Sept 16–Nov 18
Wednesday · 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 218 · $150

Instructor: Ludmila Sinai, ludsinai@yahoo.com Register Now »

This newly revised class will help you with grammar, testtaking strategies and the new speaking section of the test. Practice taking notes for the listening section of the new test, do exercises at home and bring your questions to class. Class does not include online work in the classroom. Information about the exam is available at www.ets.org/toefl. Please purchase the required textbook in advance at the Adult School office (approximately $50). No class November 11.

TOEFL PREPARATION: Grammar and Writing

8 wks · Sept 17–Nov 5
Thursday · 6:30–9 p.m.
Palo Alto HS Rm 218 · $120

Instructor: Ludmila Sinai, ludsinai@yahoo.com Register Now »

Prerequisite: Advanced English skills.

Develop clear, well-organized academic writing on the TOEFL iBT test. Gain the skills necessary for writing two types of essays: 'independent" (based on test-takers own experience and knowledge) and the newly introduced "integrated' (based on reading and lecture). Review grammar areas that are essential to good English writing. Purchase of a textbook is required.