Intensive English Program

(English-as-a-Second-Language)

Overview

Intensive English Program (English-as-a-Second- Language) courses are designed to assist limited English speakers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to succeed in the community and technical system as well as in the transfer curriculum. Applicants interested in information may contact 651.846.1555.

Intensive English Program courses at various levels prepare students to enroll in major programs or transfer curriculum. It is an intensive program allowing students to be in class up to five hours per day. Courses include listening, speaking, reading, writing, as well as grammar and pronunciation. Advanced ESL students may take developmental courses related to their major field.

Prospective students interested in enrolling in Intensive English Program classes must take the English language proficiency exams. Call 651.846.1555 for a testing schedule. The exams assess understanding of English grammar structures, listening comprehension and in some cases a writing sample may be required. Students accepted into Intensive English Program classes must have a high school diploma, a GED, or pass "Ability to Benefit" tests.

Program Outcomes

1. Enter a major program or transfer curriculum.

2. Apply writing and critical thinking skills.

3. Demonstrate fluency in a variety of contexts.

4. Demonstrate active listening.

5. Speak clearly using correct pronunciation.

6. Demonstrate organization and study skills.

7. Understand concepts of grammar to facilitate other skills.

8. Understand American culture and work ethic.

Intensive English

Program Courses (English-as-a-Second-Language)

Course		Cr
COMM 0806	Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 3	3
COMM 0807	Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 3	3
COMM 0808	Intermediate Grammar/ESL	3
COMM 0809	Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 4	3
COMM 0810	Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 4	3
COMM 0811	Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 5	3
COMM 0812	Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 5	3
COMM 0813	Advanced Grammar/ESL	3
COMM 0814	Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 6	3
COMM 0815	Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 6	3
COMM 0820	Pronunciation and Articulation	1
COMM 0831	Advanced ESL	3

Course Descriptions

COMM 0806 Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 3

Focuses on speaking and listening at the low intermediate level. Special emphasis is on the study of listening skills including taking lecture notes and dictations. Students will practice speaking by role playing routine situations, participating in structured discussions and making short presentations. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0807 Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 3

Focuses on reading and writing skills at the low intermediate level. Students will improve reading skills such as identifying main ideas, making inferences and summarizing the story. Special emphasis is on expanding vocabulary. Students will also write paragraphs on a variety of topics. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0808 Low Intermediate Grammar

Covers basic grammatical tenses including Simple, Progressive, and Perfect groups of tenses. Grammar structures will be practiced orally in group and pair work and through completion of exercises. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/3/0/0

COMM 0809 Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 4

Focuses on speaking and listening skills at the low intermediate level. Special emphasis will continue to be on the improvement of oral/aural skills. Students will study in the language lab listening to audio tapes, watching videos, and working with a partner. Students will expand vocabulary, learn how to take lecture notes and make oral presentations. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0810 Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 4

Focuses on reading and writing skills at the low intermediate level. Students will practice reading skills such as anticipating, skimming and outlining. They will also use the following steps in writing effective paragraphs and short stories: pre-writing, composing, editing, proofreading and evaluating final draft. Intermediate grammar structures will also be reinforced. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0811 Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 5

Focuses on speaking and listening skills at the high intermediate level. Special emphasis will be on the improvement of oral/aural skills. Students work in the multimedia language laboratory. They listen to lectures, take notes, make presentations and participate in classroom discussions. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0812 Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 5

Focuses on reading and writing skills at the high intermediate level. Students will strengthen reading skills such as making inferences, skimming, paraphrasing, summarizing and identifying main ideas. Focus is on improving students' ability to write effective paragraphs and essays. The writing process is reviewed. Students will develop or reinforce computer word processing skills. Critical thinking objectives will be integrated also. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0813 High Intermediate Grammar

Covers such topics as comparisons, passive voice, adjective clauses, gerunds/infinitives, and others. Students will do written and oral exercises, work in groups, participate in class discussions on the topics of concept and form of grammar structures. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/3/0/0

COMM 0814 Speaking/Listening Skills/ESL 6

Focuses on high intermediate level oral/aural skills. Students will continue to work in the multimedia language laboratory. They will expand their formal and informal vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. They will practice conversations and give oral presentations. They will also participate in group discussions. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0815 Reading/Writing Skills/ESL 6

Focuses on reading and writing skills at the high intermediate to advanced level. Students will be engaged in text analysis, vocabulary expansion, outlining and improving their reading speed. To improve writing abilities, students will continue to strengthen the skills needed in the essay writing process: prewriting, organizing, revising, and editing. The essay writing process is reviewed. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0

COMM 0820 Pronunciation and Articulation

This course is designed for ESL students who need to improve their pronunciation, articulation, and intonation skills. The emphasis is on the technique of sound production, denunciation, rhythm, volume, pitch through modeling and extensive drilling. Students will soften (not eliminate) their accent and acquire more confidence when they speak. Students at any level are accepted, no prerequisites are required. 1C/1/0/0

COMM 0831 Advanced ESL

Comprehensive course that encompasses four aspects of language learning - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students improve their use of English to function successfully in their major programs. Special emphasis is on career exploration and major materials dealing with individual areas of interest. (Prerequisite(s): Appropriate assessment score) 3C/2/1/0