Recommended Lab Practice for ESL 342 ESL 342L is the required ESL lab course for ESL 342. Using the lab often will help you excel in Basic Writing Skills. While in the ESL Lab, you can use a lab program of your choice and speak with an instructor about your grammar and writing. Recommended practice activites are listed below. INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE ♦ Focus on Grammar 1 ♦ Frequently Asked Questions about Using Focus on Grammar • How will I know which Parts to study?     ° Click on Contents. Which parts of grammar are you weak in? Study those Parts.     ° Your ESL 342 instructor may assign Units that cover the grammar taught in class.     ° Challenge yourself to complete all the Parts over the semester. • Which parts of each unit should I study? Open the (+) sign and do these parts:     ° Discover the Grammar     ° From Grammar to Writing     ° Grammar Out of the Box.     ° Review Exercises. • How will I know my scores?     ° The first time you use the program, create your profile by opening "Click here." After you create your user ID and password and type in your first and last names, the program will open. At the top of the page, click Profile. Then select the section of ESL 342 with your instructor's name. When you take the review tests, you can see your progress report, and your teacher can, too. ♦ Fundamentals of English Grammar (Your user ID and Password is the same as in FOG.) • Chapter 1 to master the Simple Present and Present Progressive tenses. • Chapter 2 to master the Past Tense. • Chapter 3 to master the Future Tense. • Chapter 5: Asking Questions • Chapter 6: Nouns and Pronouns (Please create and set your profile and take the tests at the end of the chapters. You can get help with this in the lab.) ♦ Grammar Sense 1 Grammar Sense 1 is another interactive program that will help you improve your grammar and writing skills. The lessons under Practice Zone cover all of the grammar you need to learn in ESL 342. The Reference Zone explains the grammar of each lesson. Have fun and play games to remember the grammar under Game Zone. Be sure to take the TEST after each lesson. Pick up a score sheet for this program in the lab so that you can keep track of your scores on tests. Your instructor may ask for the score sheet at the end of weeks, 4, 8, 12, and 16. ♦ Side by Side 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B If ESL 342 is difficult for you, use this program. Each part of the program has many units called "Segments." When you open the Segment menu, you will see the lessons for that segment. Point to a lesson to see the grammar points of the lesson. When you open a lesson, you will have a short video followed by activities to learn the grammar of the lesson. ♦ Grammar in Context 1 You may also use the Audio CDs for Grammar in Context 1 if your instructor is using that book, but it is better to use the interactive software programs listed above to learn the grammar taught in class. Click on Contents (FOG) or Outline (FEG) to find the grammar you need to study. ♦ Group Workshops Come to the lab with a group of classmates who have the same problems with grammar and writing. Ask the lab instructor to meet with your group for a brief workshop. ♦ Individual Conferences Meet with a lab instructor to get help with your own grammar and writing. The instructor can explain and instruct but cannot write a paper or correct your grammar for you. That is up to you after getting the explanations you need. ♦ Online Practice Go to www.eslstation.net and open the grammar and writing sections for the ESL 340 series of courses. When studying online, keep track of your time on the lab time sheet and turn it in at the end of every month. Friday of the 15th week of the semester is the last day to turn in a time sheet. Login to Moodle often to keep up with your course.