Courses in English as a Second Language

Our small class sizes (typically 15 students) mean that everyone gets highly personalized attention to improving their proficiency in English writing, speaking and listening, and vocabulary. Students cannot self-enroll—they are enrolled by the Department after the proficiency testing.

LING 0007    ESL Writing Intermediate:  3 credits

This is an intermediate writing skills course for non-native speakers of English, covering (a) the process and mechanics of writing a research paper (b) composition writing, with a focus on expository writing for college work (c) selected grammar skills. Instructor permission is required to enter. Prerequisite(s): none. This course is offered every fall and spring.

LING 0008    ESL Speaking and Listening:  3 credits

This is an advanced conversation course for non-native speakers of English to improve speaking and listening skills while gaining experience in the organization and oral presentation of material for academic work. Pronunciation, including stress and intonation are practiced through drills and exercises in class. Fluency and comprehensibility are the objectives of the student-led classroom discussions and presentations. The student will learn how to prepare speeches and several types of discussions as well as how to present them. Note-taking and other listening skills are included according to the needs of the class. Social rules of spoken American English are also covered. Fifteen hours of individual work in the language laboratory is mandatory--more is recommended. Prerequisite(s): none. This course is offered every fall and spring.

LING 0009    ESL Writing Advanced:  3 credits

This course is intended for non-native speakers of English who need to work on advanced composition skills in English covering (a) the process and mechanics of writing a research paper (b) composition writing, with a focus on expository writing for college work (c) selected grammar skills.

LING 0010    ESL Reading and Vocabulary:  3 credits

This is an advanced reading and vocabulary skills course for non-native speakers of English, emphasizing the type of reading required in university-level course work. The course includes intensive reading of passages from the course text, extensive reading of academic or other material selected by the student or instructor, speed improvement, and vocabulary development.