ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

English as second language (ESL) courses are designed to improve the English proficiency of students who are non-native speakers of English and to meet their academic, personal and/or professional objectives. ESL classes are divided into three stages/phases: Basic (formally called ESL level I and II), Intermediate (formally called ESL level III and IV) and Advanced (formally called ESL level V and VI). These ESL courses are intended for international students who are learning English as a second language to
meet their personal, academic or professional goals. ESL courses are intended for local students who are learning English as second language and are seeking English communication training to secure a career in the United States. These careers include but not are limited to the following: Assistants or Clerks (43-9061); Banking Services Clerks (43-4141) Salespersons (41-2031); Office Secretaries (43-6014) Numbers in parenthesis are the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes.

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LIST OF ESL COURSES AND DESCRIPTION

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• BASIC STAGE ESL PROGRAM

Program Description
The Basic Stage ESL program instruction emphasizes functional language and basic communication in everyday matters such as education, health, community resources, relationships and culture. Grammatical concepts are introduced within the context of these themes. A highly interactive methodology is emphasized to
give students the practice necessary to internalize the new sounds, vocabulary and syntax. American culture is taught trough holidays and current news.
Because of taking this course, students will be able to successfully participate in oral discussions, conversations and interviews in various daily activities. They will process and interpret spoken English language and apply listening skills in a variety of everyday situations. In addition, the students will read orally and evaluate and analyze a reading passage and will draw conclusions and opinions of the selection. Students, will write simple and complex sentences in academic and business settings and will be guided to write one to two paragraph essays, fill out applications and write letters.

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• INTERMEDIATE STAGE ESL PROGRAM

Program Description
In the Intermediate Stage ESL course, students will continue to develop the four core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in daily life situations. A spiraling approach is used in order to reinforce language
previously taught while increasing the length and complexity of sentences. Students will develop cognitive reading skills useful for everyday life and apply real world vocabulary in their active speech. Furthermore, students will learn useful command of both written and spoken English by enforcing textbook and vocabulary exercises suitable for their level of English as well as participate in oral discussions of texts and articles from
various sources such as newspapers, magazines and internet articles. Students will adhere to common colloquial terminology, semantics, idiomatic expressions as well as participate in grammar, reading and writing practices.
Because of taking this course, students will be able to read and analyze passages in periodicals, successfully participate in oral discussions, conversations and interviews in various daily and academic activities. They will understand, interpret and evaluate spoken English language, write well organized letters in addition to a two to
three paragraph essay and edit their own and other written work. The students will also use new vocabulary words and idioms learned in class in their conversation and in their written work.

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• ADVANCED STAGE ESL PROGRAM

Program Description
The Advanced Stage ESL course is the continual development of more complex language skills in the four language core skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in daily life situations as well as in academic settings. A spiraling approach is used to reinforce language previously taught while increasing the length and complexity of sentences in essays and oral reports. Students will have the opportunity to improve their English pronunciation, speech patterns and vocabulary through research projects, engaging in seminar discussions of
texts and articles written at the college level, and writing clear and concise paragraphs using standardized English sentences. This course is designed to include intensive practice in grammar, writing and editing skills. Because of taking this course, students will be able to read and analyze materials written at a college level and write narrative, persuasive and descriptive essays of four or more paragraphs using the conventions of standardized English. They will be able to communicate orally in academic settings as well as everyday situations and debate controversial topics. They will also understand main ideas and most details of connected discourse on a variety of topics. Completion of this program will enhance or add to the skills and abilities of the graduate relative to appropriate occupational or career opportunities.

 

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