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Vocabulary Improvement
I. Course Prefix/Number: EGL 091
Course Name: Vocabulary Improvement
Credits: 1 (1 lecture; 1 lab)
II. Prerequisite
Appropriate score on placement test.
III. Course (Catalog) Description
Course offers practical approach to improving academic vocabulary skills. Focus is on strategies to build and retain a discipline-specific college-level vocabulary. Content includes structural analysis, contextual clues, dictionary applications, mnemonic devices, keywords, and word etymologies.
IV. Learning Objectives
A. To teach students how to decipher vocabulary using contextual clues and structural analysis.
B. To instruct students in techniques for studying and applying new vocabulary words.
C. To demonstrate appropriate mnemonic devices and techniques for remembering words.
D. To explain and use language reference books such as dictionaries, specialized academic dictionaries, textbook glossaries, and thesauruses.
E. To familiarize students with appropriate study techniques for discipline-specific vocabulary.
F. To introduce word families as an efficient vocabulary expansion strategy.
G. To promote critical thinking skills through the study and use of analogies.
B. To instruct students in techniques for studying and applying new vocabulary words.
C. To demonstrate appropriate mnemonic devices and techniques for remembering words.
D. To explain and use language reference books such as dictionaries, specialized academic dictionaries, textbook glossaries, and thesauruses.
E. To familiarize students with appropriate study techniques for discipline-specific vocabulary.
F. To introduce word families as an efficient vocabulary expansion strategy.
G. To promote critical thinking skills through the study and use of analogies.
V. Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity
and follow Oakton's Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:
• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
• cheating,
• plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
• falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
• helping others to cheat,
• unauthorized changes on official documents,
• pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
• making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
• any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton's policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI. Sequence of Topics
A. Explanation of course
B. Introduction of vocabulary concepts
C. Presentation of strategies for building vocabulary
D. Use of mnemonic devices and techniques to remember vocabulary
E. Use of contextual clues
F. Use of structural analysis
G. Use of language reference books
H. Identification of affixes
I. Use of word etymologies and word families
J. Development of academic vocabulary
K. Use of analogies
B. Introduction of vocabulary concepts
C. Presentation of strategies for building vocabulary
D. Use of mnemonic devices and techniques to remember vocabulary
E. Use of contextual clues
F. Use of structural analysis
G. Use of language reference books
H. Identification of affixes
I. Use of word etymologies and word families
J. Development of academic vocabulary
K. Use of analogies
VII. Methods of Instruction
Lecture, discussion, group exercises, and individual lab work will be used to effect vocabulary improvement.
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.
Course may be taught as face-to-face, media-based, hybrid or online course.
VIII. Course Practices Required
Reading: Students will be required to read the text and special supplementary materials.
Writing: Students will be required to maintain an academic vocabulary journal.
Lab: Students will be required to use vocabulary software in the Learning Center during the course of the semester.
Writing: Students will be required to maintain an academic vocabulary journal.
Lab: Students will be required to use vocabulary software in the Learning Center during the course of the semester.
IX. Instructional Materials
A. College textbook
B. Thesaurus
C. Dictionary
D. Lab materials
E. Journal notebook
B. Thesaurus
C. Dictionary
D. Lab materials
E. Journal notebook
X. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
A. Mastery of vocabulary lists
B. Performance on mid-term and final exam
C. Completion of academic vocabulary journal and all other assignments
B. Performance on mid-term and final exam
C. Completion of academic vocabulary journal and all other assignments
XI. Other Course Information
A. Attendance on a regular basis.
B. Completion of all assignments on time. Missed assignments, lectures, and class work is the student's responsibility.
C. Participation in group exercises.
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
B. Completion of all assignments on time. Missed assignments, lectures, and class work is the student's responsibility.
C. Participation in group exercises.
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
