Course Description
Grammar
Beginning (G 1,2): These courses are an introduction
to basic English grammar with the objective to establish a strong foundation
for spoken and written English. Everyday language and situations are used
to practice and establish good usage in full sentences with subject-verb
agreement, basic verbs, present and past tense, countable and non-countable
nouns, definite and indefinite articles, Wh-questions, modals comparatives
and time expressions. Prerequisite: None
High Beginning (G 3, 4): Students continue to build their everyday
English foundation while increasing their skill and confidence in speaking
and simple writing. The following grammar topics are covered: verbs tense
review, possessive and time expressions, present perfect tense, since/for,
gerunds and infinitives, separable and inseparable verbs, and connectors,
modal verbs, conditional, passive voice, reported speech, and tag questions.
Prerequisite: G 2
Low Intermediate (G 5, 6): Students practice more complicated and
varied situations using more complex sentences. Emphasis is on practicing
more verb tenses , modals and similar expressions, pronouns and phrasal
verbs, modal verbs, since/for, already/yet, imperative, nouns and quantifiers,
definite and indefinite articles, gerunds and infinitive. Prerequisite:
G 4
Intermediate (G 7, 8): Students continue to use English for more
complicated and varied situations, using comparisons, practice countable
and non-countable nouns with the correct usage of "a/an" and "the,"
extensively explore the functions of gerunds and infinitives, practice phrasal
verbs, review progressive and simple tenses in the present, past and present
perfect, and review and expand their knowledge of adjectives and adverbs,
and learn about modals and related verbs and expressions. Prerequisite:
G 6
High Intermediate (G 9,10): Students are able to correctly use forms
and usages for complicated and unpredictable situations. They solidify their
understanding of verb tenses, including passive verbs and when to use them;
phrasal verbs and modal verbs, conditional, including factual conditionals
and unreal conditionals. Prerequisite: G 8
Advanced (G 11, 12): Students are able to correctly use forms and usages
for complicated and unpredictable situations. They expand their use of complex
sentences including past unreal conditionals, double comparatives, identifying
and non identifying clauses, adverb clauses and discourse connectors to
express cause and effect, adverb clauses of comparison and contrast, definite
and indefinite articles, count and non-count nouns, infinitives and gerunds,
direct and indirect speech, passive voice, and noun clauses in apposition.
Prerequisite: G10
Reading/Writing
Beginning (RW 1, 2): This level is an introduction
to reading and writing in English. The short, simple reading passages cover
a variety of engaging themes and topics. Students practice finding main
point, supporting reasons, and examples in reading passages; they practice
making inferences and drawing conclusions; they respond by writing their
own thoughts in short sentences and paragraphs, working toward writing fluently.
Prerequisite: None
High Beginning (RW 3, 4): Students progress in reading and writing by carrying
out assignments in a variety of themes and topics, including Internet social
networking, art, small businesses, and family matters. In each unit, students
read passages from different points of view on a topic and compare them.
Students are guided to use certain points in writing style and grammar to
write their own thoughts on the same topic, including paragraphs, personal
letters, space and time order, comparison, and expressing an opinion; furthermore,
they practice common verb tense forms, pronouns, and questions. Prerequisite:
RW 2
Low Intermediate (RW 5, 6): Students further develop their academic
communication in English through assignments in a variety of engaging themes
and topics. Students read and compare passages from different points of
view on a topic. Students consider grammar and style and write their own
thoughts on the topic. Styles include transition words, punctuation, and
direct speech. Grammar topics include comparative adjectives, verbs plus
gerunds and infinitives, and count and non-count nouns. Prerequisite: RW
4
Intermediate (RW 7, 8): Students develop further competence in academic
English through assignments in a variety of themes and topics. In each unit,
students read passages from different points of view on a topic and then
compare them. After studying some points in writing style and grammar, students
will be guided step by step to use them to write their own thoughts on the
topic. Styles include summary writing, comparing and contrasting, and parallel
structure. Grammar topics include choosing between similar verb tenses,
using superlatives, and forming noun clauses. Prerequisite: RW 6
High Intermediate (RW 9, 10): Students develop analytical skills
while continuing to build language competence through the study of intellectually
challenging reading and writing exercises structured around stimulating
themes. Additionally, students will produce writing through the process
of generating ideas, organizing and drafting content, revising, and editing
for grammar and mechanics. Prerequisite: RW 8
Advanced (RW 11, 12): Students further develop analytical skills while continuing
to build language competence through the study of intellectually challenging
reading and writing exercises structured around stimulating themes. Additionally,
students produce writing through the process of generating ideas, organizing
and drafting content, revising, and editing for grammar and mechanics. Prerequisite:
RW 10
Listening/Speaking
Beginning (LS 1, 2): Students will begin developing
communicative competence in English by studying and practicing specific
structures, vocabulary, and communicative functions in a variety of topics.
To reach these goals, students do listening drills and oral practice with
classmates and their instructor. Focused vocabulary development and pronunciation
work supplement these core conversation functions. Stress and intonation
are taught so that the students can speak like a native speaker. Prerequisite:
None
High Beginning (LS 3, 4): Students continue developing communicative
competence in English by studying and practicing specific structures, vocabulary,
and communicative functions in a variety of topics. To achieve this, students
do role playing, group and pair work, and listening comprehension drills.
Focused vocabulary development and pronunciation work supplement these core
conversation functions. Stress and intonation are taught so that the students
can speak like a native speaker. Prerequisite: LS 2
Low Intermediate (LS 5, 6): Students further develop communicative
competence in English by studying and practicing specific structures, vocabulary,
and communicative functions in a variety of topics. To accomplish this,
students do pair and group work, go through listening comprehension exercises,
and speak in response to reading material. Focused vocabulary development
and pronunciation work supplement these core conversation functions. Stress
and intonation are taught so that the students can speak like a native speaker.
Prerequisite: LS 6
Intermediate (LS 7, 8): Students begin to focus on English competence
for academic success. Through recordings on diverse themes and topics that
stimulate critical thinking, including advertising, athletics, storytelling,
culture, commerce, and humor, students build their listening skills for
formal and informal discourse. They develop their speaking skills by exploring,
analyzing, and explaining matters within these themes and topics. Vocabulary
includes idioms and collocations, and pronunciation work supplements class
discussion. Stress and intonation are taught so that the students can speak
like a native speaker. Prerequisite: LS 6
High Intermediate (LS 9, 10): Students continue developing their
English competence for academic success. Through more challenging recordings
on diverse themes and topics that stimulate critical thinking, including
the media, personal obstacles, natural disasters, interviewing, and education,
students expand their listening skills for formal and informal discourse.
They also build their speaking skills by exploring, analyzing, explaining,
and advocating matters in these themes and topics. Vocabulary includes idioms
and collocations, and pronunciation work supplements class discussion. Stress
and intonation are taught so that the students can speak like a native speaker.
Prerequisite: LS 8
Advanced (LS 11, 12): Students further develop their English competence
for academic success. Through even more challenging recordings on diverse
themes and topics that stimulate critical thinking such as addiction, cross-cultural
insights, religion, business, and the arts, students hone their listening
skills for formal and informal discourse. They also polish their speaking
skills by exploring, analyzing, explaining, and advocating matters in these
themes and topics. Vocabulary includes idioms and collocations, and pronunciation
work supplements class discussion. Stress and intonation are taught so that
the students can speak like a native speaker. Prerequisite: LS 10
English for Professionals: Business English
This program consists of a four-weeks advanced level class during which
students will prepare various presentations, including a business plan.
The curriculum covers a wide-range of business related topics, from international
marketing to finance and accounting. Prerequisite: RW 10, LS 10
TOEFL iBT Prep
TOEFL (TO 13): The courses are a comprehensive
overview of the advanced-level speaking, listening, reading and writing
skills needed to succeed on the iBT TOEFL exam. Through an intense review
of test-taking strategies and the four skills, students will develop a high
level of general language ability in both receptive (listening and reading)
and productive (speaking and writing) skill areas to achieve a goal TOEFL
score. This course is accompanied with work in the computer lab where you
are required to take five complete simulated iBT TOEFL exams and a final
which is to assess the student only from the materials covered in class.
The simulated exams taken will be reviewed in class so that the student
knows the areas needed to improve. Prerequisite: RW 12, LS 12 |
