Course Details

The ESL/ELA program is an exciting, effective program designed specifically for each individual's development. Classroom assignments and activities are designed to help students prepare quickly for higher levels of education. Our classes focus on students' needs through the guidance of experienced instructors. You will quickly acquire English language skills through practicing reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while also building confidence and knowledge of American culture. Essays, oral exams, tests, and required class participation will help you have a great learning environment and prepare you for the student life ahead.

LEVELS

The program includes 5 different levels, plus 2 Foundation levels for students with lower English skills or no prior exposure to the language.

• Foundation 1 – Low Beginner
• Foundation 2 – Beginner
• Level 1 – High Beginner
• Level 2 – Low Intermediate
• Level 3 – Intermediate
• Level 4 – High Intermediate
• Level 5 – Advanced

Each level focuses on 4 skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, including pronunciation and grammar. Each course will cover 2 to 3 skills.

COURSES

Courses offered:

• Foundation: Oral Communication, Reading, Writing, Structure/Grammar, Elective
• Level 1: Oral Communication, Reading, Writing/Reading, Structure/Grammar, Elective
• Level 2: Oral Communication, Reading, Writing/Reading, Structure/Grammar, Elective
• Level 3: Oral Communication, Listening/Reading/Note-taking, Reading/Writing/Research Skills, Structure/Grammar, Elective.
• Level 4: Oral Communication, Listening/Reading/Note-taking, Reading/Writing/Research Skills, Structure/Grammar, Elective
• Level 5: Oral Communication, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Structure/Grammar, Elective.

All courses require students to complete homework, oral exams, tests, attend the required number of class hours, and take a final exam. In addition, courses such as Oral Communication require students to give presentations. Writing courses require students to practice regularly.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LAB

Classroom instruction, homework, and extracurricular activities are reinforced and strengthened through practice in a state-of-the-art computer lab. The English Language Lab is equipped with 2 educational software programs: Rosetta Stone and Tell Me More, developed by Auralog. These 2 programs provide guidance and support for Reading, Writing, Grammar, Speaking, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary skills. In addition, the lab includes all audiovisual equipment used to support the ESL program. Students also have full access to approved English-language websites. All students are required to attend a minimum of 5 hours per week in the English Language Lab to complete special assignments.

PLACEMENT

ELA uses the CollegeBoard Accuplacer to place students. The placement test includes the following sections:

• Listening
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Reading Comprehension
• Essay Writing

The test is multiple-choice, except for the essay. Students will choose 1 of 2 topics for the essay. Scores will be evaluated after completion of the tests, and students will then be placed based on the results. The test takes 2 hours.