English as a Second Language (ESL)

English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses

• •  

  • Code

  • Course

  • Credits

• • ESL 050

  • Practical Everyday ESL

  • 3
  This course enables individuals with low proficiency in English to acquire language skills necessary for everyday life. Learners will learn the foundations of speaking, listening, reading, writing, and thinking directly in English, and acquire the ability to communicate in practical situations. By internalizing learning-how-tolearn principles, building confidence in managing social interactions, and comprehending written and spoken cultural information, students will become better prepared for transitional and specialized ESL courses.
• • ESL 080

  • Vocabulary for ESL

  • 3
  A systemic approach to building vocabulary. Students check their progress against standardized tests such as TOEFLs and SATs.
• • ESL 081

  • Academic Reading for ESL

  • 3
  This course is specially designed to assess and improve a student’s reading efficiency in various academic areas. Skills stressed are prereading, finding the main idea, recognizing patterns of organization, understanding relationships and abstract concepts.
• • ESL 085

  • American Culture for International Students

  • 3
  This course introduces students who have not experienced life in the USA to the American culture and reality, using methods and sources that will help them feel more comfortable with the English language, better understand American humor, cultural allusions and references, and avail themselves of the rich sources of knowledge in the Greater Boston area. Students can expect to use an English-only advanced learner dictionary to think directly in English to better understand their intellectual environment.
• • ESL 088

  • Writing for ESL

  • 3
  Digital natives who are not native speakers of English already have a wealth of experience in written communication on collaborative social media in their native languages as well as English. This course guides students to draw from their existing abilities, including academic knowledge achieved in languages other than English, to get a head start toward academic writing in English. Using a variety of electronic platforms, supportive applications, and collaborative methods, this course engages students in thematic writing on family, friendship, social issues, personal and cultural identity, world problems to build fluency and competence in written English.
  
• • ESL 089

  • Oral Communication for ESL Students

  • 3
  In this course, ESL students learn techniques to improve their pronunciation in spoken English, developing confidence and versatility in communicating orally in various situations, and improve listening comprehension of rapid speech. Formal and informal English, cultural and regional dialects, slang, and professional jargon will be covered. Class activities will use videotapes, audiotapes, role playing situations, videotaping students and follow-up analysis, and group discussions.
• • ESL 094

  • Academic Listening and Learning Skills for ESL Students

  • 3
  A course designed to help master the skills familiar to successful college students: note-taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, outlining, using study maps, organizing information in meaningful ways, and test-taking techniques. Materials from all academics will be used for the application of skills in laboratory settings.
  
• • ESL 095

  • ESL Grammar

  • 3
  This three-credit course provides students the opportunity to develop college-level skills in the syntax of the English language.
• • ESL 096

  • Beginning English as a Second Language

  • 6
  This is an introductory course designed to improve the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of students who speak English as a Second Language. Classroom activities are designed to lead students from basic to conversational oral expression, to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary, and to use written English in various contexts.
• • ESL 097

  • Intermediate English as a Second Language

  • 6
  This course is designed to improve the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of students who speak English as a Second Language. Emphasis is placed on learning English and developing reading writing, and communication skills in everyday and academic situations. Classroom activities include small group work, oral presentations, role playing, vocabulary work, and writing assignments. Prerequisites: Appropriate score on placement test or successful completion of Beginning ESL. Prerequisite: ESL 096.
• • ESL 108

  • Advanced ESL

  • 6
  This course guides students who have mastered fundamentals of English to develop academic fluency in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking directly in English. Emphasis is placed on reading college level materials, understanding and responding to rapid academic and social speech, writing extended expressive and analytical essays from sources, and making an oral presentation on an academic topic. Exploration of cultural experiences and perceptions will facilitate building students’ confidence in functioning in a multicultural, English language classroom. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or successful completion of ESL 097.