English as a Second Language

Beginning level course for students whose native language is not English. Introduces the student to the basic sounds, vocabulary, sentence patterns and communicative functions of English. Emphasis on speaking and listening with an introduction to writing and reading. American cultural conventions are also presented and discussed.

Second level course for students whose native language is not English. Continued practice in the basic sounds, sentence patterns and functions of English. Additional grammatical forms and ways to communicate in different situations are studied, as well as continued discussion of American culture. Equal emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

Intensive practice in speaking, listening to and reading and writing English using more complex sentence structures and increased vocabulary. Emphasis is on coherence and fluency in writing and speaking. Exploration of American cultural conventions for success in daily living and work and school. Intensive practice of American sound patterns.

This course will promote more confident and fluent English pronunciation through extensive pronunciation exercises which will include individual consonant, vowel, and blended sounds. Other aspects of pronunciation will include speech patterns for work and sentence stress, intonation and rhythm. Assignments will be given for further development in the acquisition of standard American English.

Continued intensive practice in speaking, listening and reading and writing English. Continued emphasis on coherence and fluency in writing; emphasis on major items of grammatical correctness. Exploration of American cultural conventions for success in daily living, work and school. Intensive practice of American sound and speech patterns.

Development of vocabulary and related learning strategies in English at the intermediate level for non-native speakers of English. Students will read a diverse range of writings including short stories, essays, poetry, and articles from newspapers, magazines and the Internet. Students will employ learning strategies for unfamiliar words and write their reaction to their reading. Students will use new vocabulary in writing assignments to practice appropriate use of word forms. Additionally, vocabulary and learning activities specific to computer technology and the Internet will be explored.

Discussion and practice of fundamental grammatical structures necessary for successful oral and written communication. Students will practice using grammatical forms in academic, informal and other common situations of daily American life. Students will focus on major verb tenses, common sentence patterns, parts of speech, as well as identifying and correcting common ESL grammar errors found through such activities as oral conversation and short writing assignments. Class meets for three hours a week.

Course will allow students to acquire the English language skills needed to produce multiparagraph compositions that are correctly written at the intermediate-advanced level. Contemporary reading selections and discussion activities will serve to prepare students to write short compositions. Grammatical skills will be developed through traditional instruction, group editing workshops, and computer-assisted instruction.

Course will develop the ability of students, whose native language is not English, to read, write, listen and speak effectively at an Advanced level. Students will develop fluency and clarity in their writing and pronunciation while developing their vocabulary in standard American English to read and listen successfully. A grade of C or better is required to progress to the next level.

English fluency while integrating into American society requires more than grammar, vocabulary and interactive language skills. This course gives ESL students needed cultural awareness regarding the people, events and circumstances that have shaped America’s identity and perspective of the world in a particular way throughout its history. Students examine the references Americans frequently cite about such iconic moments, as well as how these references relate in meaning to current events and life applications such as college lectures and texts. Class meets two hours per week; however, students are required to participate in the lab component for an additional two hours per week. Lab assignments are online to allow students to work at their own pace.

Course will further develop the ability of students, whose native language is not English, to read, write, listen and speak at a High-Advanced level. Students will develop fluency and clarity in their writing and pronunciation while developing their vocabulary in standard American English to read and listen successfully. A grade of C or better is required to progress to the next level.

Practice in speaking, listening to, and correctly pronouncing American English. Students will listen to various native speakers of English and discuss what they have heard. Extensive practice in pronunciation will include speech patterns like stress, intonation, and rhythm. Laboratory assignments will be given for further development in the acquisition of standard American English speech patterns. This course is required for all students, whose native language is not English, before moving into General Education or program courses.

Discussion and practice of discrete grammatical points necessary for successful oral and written communication. Students will practice using grammatical forms in various situations, such as informal conversations and short writing assignments. Class meets two hours a week; however, students are required to participate in the lab component for an additional two hours per week. Lab assignments are online to allow students to work at their own pace.

Students develop stronger English language skills from studying key events in American history, icons and issues of democracy and citizenship that have shaped our national identity. Also, students explore the meaning and correct use of common sayings referencing these events and ideas. Class meets two hours per week in person and an additional two hours per week online.

Discussion and practice of verbal and nonverbal skills needed in a professional environment: problem solving, vocabulary building, practice of appropriate idiomatic phrases to communicate effectively in typical work and social situations. For non-native speakers of English who have reached an advanced level of proficiency in English and who want to refine their skills.

Instruction and guided practice in the skills necessary to succeed in an American college classroom, especially asking questions, answering questions, participating in small and large group discussions, note-taking, lecture listening, text reading, and vocabulary development. Required of students on the basis of ESL placement.

Guided experience for English Language Learners in academic reading and writing. Students will critically read academic texts and prepare academic essays. Students will be guided through the stages of writing as well as critical thinking activities in relation to text.