English as a Second Language (ESL)

Courses

EL 101: Beginning Grammar

Credits 3
This course is an introduction to English grammar for beginning English language learners. The course focuses on building students’ knowledge of verb formation, sentence structure, and basic grammar usage in English and reinforces this usage in communicative context.

EL 102: Beginning Composition

Credits 3
This course is an introduction to composition for beginning English language learners. The course focuses on building students’ knowledge of basic sentence and paragraph structure so that they may produce written texts in English. Emphasis is placed on academic vocabulary, the parts of a sentence, and paragraph structure.

EL 103: Beginning Reading Comprehension & Critical Thinking

Credits 3
This course is an introduction to reading comprehension and critical thinking for beginning English language learners. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary development and strategies for increasing reading speed and comprehension for academic texts.

EL 104: Beginning Listening & Speaking

Credits 3
This course is an introduction to the connected skills of listening and speaking for beginning English language learners. Emphasis is placed on the development of effective oral communication skills through exercises designed to improve listening comprehension, the expression of basic ideas, and the pronunciation of English vocabulary.

EL 111: Low Intermediate Grammar

Credits 3

This course is a developmental English language course for low intermediate English language learners that builds on students’ basic grammar knowledge to move them toward development of the grammar rules and structure necessary for clear written and oral communication in English.

EL 112: Low Intermediate Composition

Credits 3

This course is a developmental composition course for low intermediate English language learners. The course builds on students’ knowledge of basic sentence and paragraph structure and focuses on improving academic writing skills by focusing on the writing process. Emphasis is placed on the planning, drafting, writing, revision, and editing of sentences and paragraphs in English.

EL 113: Low Intermediate Reading Comprehension & Critical Thinking

Credits 3

This reading comprehension and critical thinking course is designed for low intermediate English language learners. Emphasis is placed on academic vocabulary development, reading compre- hension, and critical thinking skills through the engagement of authentic English texts with an intermediate level of conceptual and linguistic complexity.

EL 114: Low Intermediate Listening & Speaking

Credits 3

This course is designed for the continued development of the connected skills of listening and speaking for low intermediate English language learners. Emphasis is placed on effective oral communication skills, improved listening comprehension, clear expression of ideas, and English pronunciation.

EL 121: High Intermediate Grammar

Credits 3

This course is a developmental English language course for high intermediate English language learners that builds on students’ knowledge of English grammar rules and structure to facilitate grammatically accurate written and oral communication. Emphasis is placed on English grammar in academic and communicative contexts.

EL 122: High Intermediate Composition

Credits 3

This course is a developmental composition course for high intermediate English language learners. The course builds on students’ existing knowledge of the structure and process of English composition and seeks to refine their academic writing skills through the production of paragraphs and essays for a variety of academic and communicative contexts. Emphasis is placed on grammatical accuracy, structural development, and critical thinking. Upon successful completion of ESL 122 and ESL 132, students will fulfill the EN 111 requirement.

EL 123: High Intermediate Reading Comprehension & Critical Thinking

Credits 3

This reading comprehension and critical thinking course is designed for high intermediate English language learners. Emphasis is placed refining academic vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills through the engagement of authentic English texts with varying levels of conceptual and linguistic complexity.

EL 124: High Intermediate Listening & Speaking

Credits 3

This course facilitates further development of the connected skills of listening and speaking for high intermediate English language learners. Emphasis is placed on effective oral communication skills for full participation in formal and informal settings where English is spoken.

EL 131: Advanced Grammar

Credits 3

This course is an intensive review of English grammar for advanced English language learners that builds on students’ existing knowledge to expand advanced ideas in English grammar and syntax. Emphasis is placed on advanced English grammar in academic and communicative contexts.

EL 132: Advanced Composition

Credits 3

This composite course is designed for advanced English language learners and focuses on the study of rhetoric for effective written communication in academic contexts. The course emphasizes the writing process (planning, drafting, writing, revising, editing) and prepares students for expository and argumentative writing through the production of academic essays. Upon successful completion of ESL 122 and ESL 132, students will fulfill the EN 111 requirement.

EL 133: Advanced Reading Comprehension & Critical Thinking

Credits 3

This reading comprehension and critical thinking course is designed for advanced English language learners. Emphasis is placed on refining academic vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills through the engagement of authentic English texts with advanced levels of conceptual and linguistic complexity.

EL 134: Advanced Listening & Speaking

Credits 3

This listening and speaking course is designed for advanced English language learners and focuses on the mastery of the two interrelated skill sets for effective oral communication. Emphasis is placed on fluency, critical listening, and the clear expression of ideas in formal and informal settings where English is spoken.