English as a Second Language course offerings
Beginning Level Courses: (only offered in summer and when enrollment is high)
ESLI 042 Beginning Reading
ESLI 043 Beginning Writing
ESLI 044 Beginning Speaking
ESLI 045 Beginning Listening
ESLI 046 High Beginning Speaking/Listening
Elementary Level Courses:
ESLI 052 Elementary Reading
ESLI 053 Elementary Writing
ESLI 054 Elementary Speaking
ESLI 055 Elementary Listening
Intermediate Level Courses:
ESLI 063 Intermediate Listening
ESLI 064 Speech and Drama
ESLI 065 American Society
ESLI 066 Culturally Speaking
ESLI 067 Public Speaking*
ESLI 068 Current Events
ESLI 069 Literature and Video
ESLI 072 Intermediate Reading
ESLI 073 Intermediate Writing
ESLI 083 Business Writing*
ESLI 085 / CIE 335 Business Issues
ESLI 086 / CIE 331 Introduction to U.S. Political History
ESLI 088 / CIE 333 American Literature
ESLI 089 / CIE 336 Intercultural Communication
Advanced Level Courses:
ESLI 091 Lecture/Note taking
ESLI 092 Advanced Reading
ESLI 093 Advanced Writing
ESLI 095 American Film and Culture
ESLI 096 Issues for Debate and Discussion
*Usually only offered in the summer
Courses
The following non-credit courses are only open to non-native speakers of English who need to improve their English language skills before beginning a degree program.
These courses are offered by the English as a Second Language Institute (ESLI), a program of the Center for International Education (CIE) housed in the Bemis International Center (BIC). The ESL Institute teaches non-credit intensive English to foreign students in preparation for college studies and other professional purposes. Full-time ESL students take classes 20 hours each week, four hours daily, in four levels of instruction: Beginning, Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced.
ESLI 042 Beginning Reading
This course teaches beginning level students skills to increase their reading vocabulary, speed and comprehension. Students are introduced to reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, previewing and predicting. Books and materials include short passages, simplified short stories and news articles and a short, abridged ESL novel. This course is normally only taught in the summer.
ESLI 043 Beginning Writing Class
This course teaches beginning level students basic writing skills. Students learn to write simple and compound sentences and short, well-organized simple paragraphs which include title, topic sentence, supporting sentences and a conclusion. Students practice correct punctuation and capitalization, learn spelling rules and cursive writing. In grammar, students study simple verb tenses, nouns, pronouns, adverbs and adjectives. This course is normally only taught in the summer.
ESLI 044 Beginning Speaking
This course helps students learn and practice communicating in everyday situations including asking and answering questions, using the telephone, taking messages, initiating conversations, asking for directions, making invitations and closing conversations. Class activities include role-playing, small-group activities and short presentations. This course is normally only taught in the summer.
ESLI 045 Beginning Listening
This course trains students to hear English sounds, words, stress and intonation patterns. Students listen to taped conversations and monologues on topics of general and cultural interest. The focus in this class is on listening to discourse that is one to five minutes in length. Students work on understanding phrases, simple sentences and questions. This course is normally only taught in the summer.
ESLI 046 High Beginning Speaking /Listening (Connect with English)
This speaking/listening course is based on a video series of connected story lines. Students gain confidence in listening to and speaking everyday English. Classroom activities include small-group discussions, 2-3 minute oral presentations and role-playing.
ESLI 052 Elementary Reading
This reading skills course develops skills in reading speed and comprehension. Students are introduced to reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, previewing, predicting, making inferences and giving opinions. Reading materials include short stories, news articles, computer passages and a simplified novel.
ESLI 053 Elementary Writing
In this course students learn to write well-organized and coherent paragraphs that include a topic sentence and detailed supporting sentences. Students practice a variety of writing styles and forms, which may include narrative, descriptive and expository paragraphs, journals and letters. By the end of the term, students understand and write a three-paragraph essay. Grammar study includes review and practice of the simple and present perfect tenses, study and practice of noun forms, adjectives, modals, gerunds and infinitives.
ESLI 054 Elementary Speaking
In this course students actively practice speaking skills for a variety of situations including requesting and giving information and practice strategies for beginning, maintaining and ending a conversation. Special attention is given to pronunciation, intonation and correct grammar usage. Activities may include making introductions, giving demonstrations and short speeches, role-playing and group discussions. Active participation in daily classroom activities is required.
ESLI 055 Elementary Listening
In this course students learn to listen for details and inferences as well as main ideas. Students summarize passages heard on tape or video. Students learn to discriminate between different stress and intonation patterns, recognize and identify verb tenses, possession markers and plurality.
ESLI 060 Introduction to TOEFL (for beginning and elementary students only)
(See Infrequently Offered Courses section of the catalog.)
ESLI 061 Pronunciation
This intermediate-level course trains students to be more fluent and comprehensible in English. This course focuses on both the segmental and suprasegmental features of American English. Students learn appropriate intonation, stress, reduction and linking patterns through the use of models. Practice of these patterns is taught through activities which may include jazz chants, reciting poems and limericks, telling jokes and anecdotes, reading short stories aloud and acting out dialogues. Active participation in daily classroom activities is essential.
ESLI 062 TOEFL (for intermediate- and advanced-level students)
(See Infrequently Offered Courses section of the catalog.)
ESLI 063 Intermediate Listening
This course introduces students to pre-college academic lectures and note taking as well as to different aspects of American humor through the use of taped lectures and radio broadcasts. Students develop skills to understand main ideas and significant details, inferences and cultural aspects of American humor.
ESLI 064 Speech and Drama
In this course students improve their ability to speak English in a more natural, native-like manner. Emphasis is given to standard pronunciation, appropriate intonation, exaggerated expression, idioms and slang, along with body language to convey emotion and meaning. Classroom activities may include skits, planned and impromptu speeches, monologues and scenes from plays.
ESLI 065 American Society
In this content-based listening/speaking course, students are introduced to American culture and values. Class themes include education in America, ethnic and racial assimilation, women and work, American government, religion and entertainment. Activities may include reading, discussing and analysis of video/movie segments. Classes are frequently supplemented with class trips in the community. Students develop confidence in their ability to use American English as they gain a better understanding of American society.
ESLI 066 Culturally Speaking
This speaking course introduces students to American culture through classroom discussions and role-playing. The class focuses on improving aural/oral skills while giving students the opportunity to communicate in authentic language situations. Students improve listening and speaking skills by comparing and contrasting cultures including their own.
ESLI 067 Public Speaking
This course develops the oral communication skills of intermediate- and advanced-level ESL students. Emphasis is given to speaking in academic, business and professional situations. Reading and writing are also required components of the class. Students develop analytical skills by identifying issues, evaluating options and solving problems. A wide variety of materials and methods may be used to achieve course goals.
ESLI 068 Current Events/News
In this course students continue to improve listening comprehension and speaking skills. Students participate in discussions of current social and political issues. Students gather and organize information from sources that include television news, newspapers, magazines, personal interviews and electronic media. Students engage in a variety of activities including out-of-class research, in-class listening exercises, small and large group discussions of news reports and oral and written presentations.
ESLI 069 Literature and Video
This course introduces students to popular genres in literature and video which include action/adventure, romance, science fiction or fantasy. The focus of this class is on what makes each genre different and how genres are developed. Students analyze various text types including short stories, poems, novels and film. Students evaluate character, plot and setting.
ESLI 072 Intermediate Reading
This intermediate-level reading class emphasizes reading strategies such as skimming for ideas, scanning for specific information, separating fact from opinion, guessing meaning from context, making inferences and understanding humor. Students improve reading speed and comprehension using such materials as short stories, news articles, abridged and unabridged novels. An important part of the course is the transition from ESL reading material to authentic first-language texts.
ESLI 073 Intermediate Writing
This course teaches students to develop a written paper into a unified, coherent, well-supported five-paragraph college-style essay that incorporates clearly written sentences in a variety of styles and mature (complex) sentences. Writing tasks include in-class timed essays, out-of-class process essays with two to three drafts each, summaries of newspaper and magazine articles and reactions to readings with opinions and personal reflections.
ESLI 091 Advanced Lecture/Note Taking
In this class students develop the ability to listen to extended speech and lectures, identify key ideas, supporting details and organizational patterns. Content includes guest lectures and lectures on tape. Students are required to observe and report on several college lecture classes. Students learn to take comprehensible notes using note-taking symbols and abbreviations.
ESLI 092 Advanced Reading
In this class students are exposed to the kinds of reading that they can expect to find in their college courses. Course materials include college textbook material, newspaper and journal articles, essays, a full-length unabridged novel, short stories and poetry. Students continue to practice inferencing, skimming, scanning and summarizing. Students respond to readings through writing, discussions and oral reports.
ESLI 093 Advanced Writing
This pre-college writing course requires students to use all writing skills to write timed and drafted essays, complete essay exam questions and complete a 15-20 page research paper. Skills taught include brainstorming, outlining, researching, drafting and redrafting, preparing and using note, source and bibliography cards. Students research, analyze and evaluate issues. In addition, students summarize, paraphrase, quote and document sources.
ESLI 095 American Culture and Film
This is a multi-skill advanced level content-based course that focuses on film and American culture. Students refine their listening comprehension, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, reading comprehension and ability to write critical reviews. Through the viewing of selected films that deal with American culture and subcultures and through readings and discussions, students gain a better understanding of the different facets of American culture while improving their English language skills.
ESLI 096 Issues for Debate and Discussion
This listening/speaking course is for high intermediate- and advanced-level students. Students continue to build confidence in speaking by participating in class discussions and debates and by making individual oral presentations. Students learn conversational strategies such as agreeing and disagreeing, interrupting and asking for clarification. Students listen to tapes and videos in both formal and informal English. Topics of discussion typically include environmental issues, gun control, abortion, AIDS, homelessness and sexual harassment.
