ESL (English as a Second Language)

Courses

ESL 100: Intermediate Composition

Credits 6
This course is designed to introduce non-native English speakers the writing skills they will need in college. The course focuses on the writing process and developing writing skills in two areas: out-of-class compositions and in-class essay tests. Students learn to write short papers that are clear, concise, unified, and relatively free of mechanical and grammatical problems. Students write a minimum of eight papers, some out of class and at least two in class.

ESL 101: Advanced Composition

Credits 6

This course is designed to help non-native English speakers to acquire the college-level writing and language skills they will need for academic success. They will learn to produce essays that are clear, concise, and unified. The writing process and language skills at the advanced level are emphasized. Students write papers both out of class and in class. At least one paper requires outside sources and documentation. Near the end of the course, students will complete a final timed in-class essay which will be evaluated by the English faculty to assess the writer’s preparedness to move on to other college-level writing courses. This course satisfies the ENG 101 basic communication requirement.

ESL 110: American Culture

Credits 3
This class is to be taken by non-native English speakers in their first semester. This course is designed to introduce American idioms, grammar and writing, as well as to familiarize students with American culture and guide students through the stages of the acculturation process.

ESL 120: Intermediate Listening And Speaking

Credits 3
This course designed to teach non-native English speakers the basics of the pronunciation of American English (the sounds, intonation, stress, and rhythm). The course is designed to develop students’ clarity of speech and listening comprehension skills through a variety of listening/speaking activities.

ESL 121: Advanced Listening And Speaking

Credits 3
This course is designed to improve non-native English speakers to improve listening comprehension, speaking, note-taking, and discussion skills at the advanced level to prepare for academic coursework. Students will develop listening strategies and critical thinking skills through lectures, discussions, debates, readings, and writing assignments on cultural topics, and gain a deeper understanding of North American culture.

ESL 130: Intermediate Reading Skills

Credits 3
This course is designed to help non-native English speakers acquire the intermediate level reading skills necessary for success in college. This course provides students with effective strategies for increasing vocabulary, taking notes, and reading college-level texts. The course promotes active reading skills that guide students from basic literal understandings of a text to interpretations, including the formation of inferences, conclusions and judgments.

ESL 131: Advanced Reading

Credits 3
This course is designed to teach non-native English speakers the advanced level of reading skills necessary for success in college. This course provides students with effective strategies for increasing academic vocabulary and for developing active reading skills that guide students from basic literal understandings of a text to higher-order thinking skills of analysis and synthesis, interpretation, evaluation, and application.