ESL Course Descriptions
COMG 1000
Introduction to English Skills
This course introduces students to basic English skills. Students in this course learn practical vocabulary, important English phrases, greetings, the alphabet, the English number system, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic pronunciation. Students learn to express important needs and wants in English, to give simple requests and to use questions in order to acquire new information. Students obtain basic reading skills by engaging with elementary texts.
AESL 0039
Introduction to Grammar
Students learn the basic grammar elements and are introduced to their use in oral English expressions in everyday contexts. Such contexts may include learning to order in restaurants, buying items in stores, speaking on the phone, and communicating in an office setting. Students finish the course with a general understanding of grammar concepts and their application to simple conversations in English.
AESL 0041 / ESOL 0331
Beginning Conversational Grammar
This course explores the grammatical foundations of the English language. Students become aware of English syntax so that they can incorporate correct grammatical structures into their ability to speak fluently and write correctly.
ETWR 1091 / ESOL 0332
Beginning Writing
This course focuses on sentence structure. Students learn how to construct well-written sentences for paragraph development. Students practice editing written texts by focusing on punctuation skills and English grammar. A primary objective is learning how to express a thought in written form through the construction of one or more correctly written sentences.
COMG 1091 / ESOL 0333
Beginning Conversation
This course helps students to develop basic oral communication skills. It allows students to practice simple oral expressions in order to gain self-confidence when speaking English. Students integrate vocabulary and correct grammatical form into practical conversation, academic contexts, and professional situations.
AESL 0050 / ESOL 0344
Beginning Reading
This course will enable students to develop fluency in reading and text-processing skills. Students will develop reading strategies for improving general comprehension, awareness for text structure, and skills for evaluating reading content in detail. Students will also identify key vocabulary found in the readings.
COMG 1001
Beginning English Skills
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the beginning level. Students practice reading skills and English conversation for a variety of contexts: practical, academic and business.
AESL 0042 / ESOL 0334
Intermediate Conversational Grammar
Prerequisite: ESOL 0331-Beginning Conversational Grammar
In this course students become proficient in their use of the present, past and future tenses. Students examine the various types of speech (verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, etc.) so that they can speak with an increasing level of competence. This course explores the relationship between grammar and conversation and helps students understand how grammar functions in various types of contexts such business, academic, and practical.
ETWR 1091 / ESOL 0335
Intermediate Writing
Prerequisite: ESOL 0332-Beginning Writing
This course introduces students to the process of paragraph development. Students learn how to develop their ideas so that they can write various types of paragraphs and incorporate these paragraphs into essay construction. Students practice editing, punctuation, grammar, and sentence mechanics.
COMG 1091 / ESOL 0336
Intermediate Conversation
Prerequisite: ESOL 0333-Beginning Conversation
This course enables students to develop oral communication abilities for life skills and academic objectives. In addition, students engage in a selection of high-interest academic readings in order to promote classroom discussions and debate. Students participate in a variety of classroom activities that encourage fluency and self-confidence when using English.
AESL 0051 / ESOL 0345
Intermediate Reading
Prerequisite: ESOL 0344-Beginning Reading
This course will enable students to develop interactive activities that involve oral presentation of information from the readings, oral exchanges of information, and discussion that involves evaluation of ideas including debates. This course builds vocabulary and expands language by improving speaking and writing skills drawn from ideas found in the readings.
COMG 1004
Intermediate English Skills
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the intermediate level. Students write for a variety of purposes, practice reading skills, engage in conversation, and listen to English conversation to increase oral comprehension.
AESL 0043 / ESOL 0337
High Intermediate Conversational Grammar
Prerequisite: ESOL 0334-Intermediate Conversational Grammar
This course enhances students’ ability to accurately produce written statements and papers for personal and/or academic purposes. Students learn to write and orally express ideas thoroughly and effectively by incorporating correct syntactical and mechanical skills. Students broaden their understanding of the English grammatical system so that they can become proficient writers and speakers of English.
ETWR 1091 / ESOL 0338
High Intermediate Writing
Prerequisite: ESOL 0335-Intermediate Writing
This course prepares students to develop complete essays by utilizing various writing techniques. Students learn to determine the focus and structure of essays by applying more advanced writing criteria. In addition, students write for a variety of purposes such as descriptive, narrative, and persuasive. This course aims at preparing students for university study, particularly freshman composition.
COMG 1091 / ESOL 0339
High Intermediate Conversation
Prerequisite: ESOL 0336-Intermediate Conversation
This course gives students stronger communication skills by enhancing their listening and comprehension capacity. The focus is on continuous interactive activities that allow students to engage in practical conversation and public speaking. Students also read various texts concerning current events and other high interest-topics so that they can apply critical thinking skills to engage in classroom discussions.
AESL 0052 / ESOL 0346
High Intermediate Reading
Prerequisite: ESOL 0345-Intermediate Reading
This course will enable students to develop analytical skills by comparing and contrasting content from readings, while building a richer semantic foundation. Students will also develop abilities to take notes, highlight, and underline key information for text analysis or content reporting.
COMG 1005
High Intermediate English Skills
This course reinforces the English language skills that students learn in the other Language Institute courses at the high intermediate level. Students practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
AESL 0044 / ESOL 0340
Advanced Conversational Grammar
Prerequisite: ESOL 0337-High Intermediate Conversational Grammar
Students develop a deep understanding of the English verbs system as well as review previously learned grammatical concepts. In addition, students examine complex English grammatical construction so that students will gain academic preparation for study at an American university.
ETWR 1091 / ESOL 0341
Advanced Writing
Prerequisite: ESOL 0338-High Intermediate Writing
This course prepares students to write proficient essays in preparation for university study. Students write a variety of academic texts and learn how to compose an original research paper.
COMG 1091 / ESOL 0342
Advanced Conversation
Prerequisite: ESOL 0339-High Intermediate Conversation
Students read and discuss texts dealing with current events topics and engage in classroom discussion concerning these topics. Students learn how to prepare and give a variety of oral presentations through the use of technology. Presentations may describe opinions on important social events, academic topics, or professional themes.
AESL 2000 / ESOL 0343
Preparation for College
This course prepares students for all aspects of university life. Students develop strategies and skills that help them overcome the challenges they will encounter during their time at the university. In this course, students look at both the academic and cultural facets of university life to help them gain a deeper understanding of the overall university experience.
AESL 0915
Preparation for the ACT
This course prepares students for all sections of the ACT exam: Math, Science, Reading, and English. Instruction is geared towards sentence completion, reading comprehension, grammar, essay writing, math, and scientific reasoning.
AESL 0080
Preparation for the TOEFL
This course prepares students for all sections of the TOEFL exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Students enhance communicative skills by increasing interactivity while improving analytical skills as they examine texts and discuss topics on current events. The course requires a high level of student interaction.
ACE 0921
American History and Culture
This course examines how and why the United States was formed, what ideals and values have informed the history of the United States, and what makes American culture distinctive. It also examines the culture, values, music, poetry, and art of the American people. Students study the most important events in American history and speculate about its future.
ACE 0922
Current Events: Making Sense of the News
This course is designed to allow students to interpret current events and develop opinions about them. Students discuss their points of view and present arguments for or against controversial issues affecting our society. Through continuous interaction, students gain self-confidence when expressing their thoughts while questioning other students’ opinions.