(ESL) English as a Second Language
Note: Initial selection of an ESL course is determined by results of ESL placement testing.
ESL 090 - Introduction to ESL Grammar (4 credits)
Prerequisite: score of 25 or lower on ESL placement test
Introduces students to the systematic knowledge of basic English grammar connected in an American cultural context. Provides learners with useful and meaningful skills to apply the beginning grammar necessary to communicate verbally and in writing. Thematic topics focus on the present, present continuous, future, and past tenses. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 103 - ESL Speech Concepts I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ESL 121 or oral interview
Emphasizes spontaneous oral English for students at the ESL Grammar I level or above. Activities involve thematic material in small-group sessions as well as whole group presentations. Develops listening as well as speaking skills. 3 lecture hours
course outline
ESL 104 - ESL Advanced Speech Concepts (4 credits)
Prerequisite: 133 (computer-based) / 450 (paper-based) TOEFL or completion of ESL 103 or placement test
Advanced ESL pronunciation course for students who already are conversational in English but who need to improve their pronunciation skills. Students practice the vowel, consonant and dipthong sounds, and study the use of stress in words and sentences for correct pronunciation as well as for meaning. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 121 - ESL Grammar Concepts I (4 credits)
Prerequisite: score of 50 on ESL placement test
Intermediate-level English grammar course for students who have an elementary knowledge of English but are weak in grammar. A systematic study of English language structure, covers English word order in basic sentence types and emphasizes verb forms from the simple present to the perfect tenses. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 122 - ESL Grammar Concepts II (4 credits)
Prerequisite: score of 65 on ESL placement test or 133 (computer based) / 450 (paper based) TOEFL or ESL 121 with a minimum C grade
Advanced-level English grammar course, prepares students to write English language paragraphs and essays. Study includes the higher verb tenses, the passive voice, noun and adjective clauses, as well as articles, prepositions, idiomatic expressions, and other structures specific to English. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 123 - ESL Grammar Concepts III (4 credits)
Prerequisite: completion of ESL 122 with a grade of C or higher or placement at ESL 135 (Writing II) level
The highest-level English grammar course, designed for students at the ESL exit level. Study involves advanced structures including gerunds and infinitives, modifying clauses, and the subjunctive mood, as well as other fine points of grammar specific to idiomatic English. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 133 - ESL Writing Concepts I (4 credits)
Prerequisite: score of 50 on ESL placement test or 407 TOEFL (100 computer-based)
Introduction to writing through the construction of basic English sentences. Guided exercises are designed to teach sentence patterns while building vocabulary in selected topic areas. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 134 - ESL Writing Concepts II (4 credits)
Prerequisite: writing sample or 133 (computer-based) TOEFL
Sentence patterns, sentence sequences, and the development of a paragraph are emphasized. The student learns to correct errors in grammar and punctuation to produce standard English sentences which support a topic. Outstanding performance in this course may qualify the student to enroll in ENG 101, English Composition I. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 135 - ESL Writing Concepts III (4 credits)
Prerequisite: writing sample or completion of ESL 134
Stresses spontaneous, fluent, idiomatic writing. Includes practice in various forms of writing, from personal to more formal, using various source materials ranging from magazines to works of fiction. Students who successfully complete this course qualify to enroll in ENG 101, English Composition I. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 140 - ESL Intermediate Critical Reading (4 credits)
Prerequisite: ESL 133, or 56-64 on ESL placement test, or 133 (computer-based) / 450 (paper-based) TOEFL
Intended for students who are enrolling in college courses that require sophisticated reading skills and critical thinking. Through fiction and nonfiction readings, vocabulary, retention, inference, research techniques, test-taking strategies, and critical analysis are stressed. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
ESL 141 - ESL Advanced Critical Reading (4 credits)
Prerequisites: score of 65 or higher and writing sample, or ESL 134 and ESL 140
Corequisite: taking ESL 135 concurrently is strongly recommended
Designed for second-language acquisition students who will be enrolling in college-level courses that require refined reading skills and critical thinking/analysis abilities. Focus on fiction and nonfiction readings with stress on developing meaning from text and deconstructing text through analysis and understanding of vocabulary. 3 lecture/2 laboratory hours
course outline
