ESL-002 - Cultural Orientation

Lecture: 0

Lab: 2

Credit: 1

This course introduces new international students to American life, the educational system and the Burlington community. It covers such topics as culture shock, academic honesty, personal safety, driving in Iowa, etc. This course will be taken on a Pass/No Pass basis only.

ESL-006 - Grammar in Cultural Context

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

Communicative grammar course for non-native speakers of English. Includes studying the usage of different grammatical structures and their application in various areas of interaction. Exposes students to English culture and cultural expectations.  

ESL-008 - Communication in Cultural Context

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

Communication course for non-native speakers of English. Includes usage of listening and speaking skills across various areas of interaction: idioms and slang, small talk and business interviews. Exposes students to English culture and cultural expectations in conversations and oral interaction. This course is recommended to be taken in conjunction with ESL-006 Grammar in Cultural Context.

ESL-013 - Listening/Speaking I

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This is a listening/speaking course for non-native speakers of English. The course helps students develop basic speech competencies through integrated language skills. Students focus on language:pronunciation, word forms, word domains, idiomatic expressions, analogies using semantic context. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL 015 and ESL-019.

ESL-015 - Reading/Writing I

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This is a reading/writing course for non-native speakers of English. A beginning course designed to develop reading and writing skills; students learn new words and phrases, work on spelling and become familiar with the use of basic tenses. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL-013 and ESL-019.

ESL-019 - Grammar I

Lecture: 4

Credit: 4

This is a grammar course for non-native speakers of English. The course introduces students to the form, meaning and usage of basic structures in English. It provides opportunities to practice through extensive and varied exercises leading to communicative activities. Concentration is on present and past tenses, copular be, nouns and pronouns. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL-015 and ESL-013.

ESL-033 - Listening/Speaking II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a listening/speaking course for non-native speakers of English. This course further develops conversational skills in order to improve the ability to speak clearly and effectively. Authentic audio recordings, videotapes and listening to peers are used to develop listening skills. Daily work on pronunciation targeted at achieving an understandable accent. Prerequisite: ESL-013 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL-035 and ESL-038.

ESL-035 - Reading/Writing II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a reading/writing course for non-native speakers of English. This course increases reading skills in comprehension, speed and fluency. It continues development of understanding and using English sentence patterns through written practice. Prerequisite: ESL-015 and meets minimum placement test score requirements. Prerequisite: ESL-015 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL-033 and ESL-038.

ESL-038 - Grammar II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a grammar course for non-native speakers of English. The course introduces students to the form, meaning and usage of the English structures. Communicative approach provides students with the immediate applications of the knowledge gained in the class. Work on new grammar tenses, modal verbs, adjectives and adverbs. Prerequisites: ESL-019 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. It is recommended to take the course concurrently with ESL-033 and ESL-035.

ESL-052 - Reading/Writing III

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a reading/writing course for non-native speakers of English. This course provides the students with intensive practice in applying reading strategies. Emphasis is placed on understanding the content while building vocabulary, identifying parts of speech, developing language skills and understanding main ideas and details. The students practice prewriting, organizing, revising and editing while expanding their vocabulary. Prerequisite: ESL-035 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-056 and ESL-059.

ESL-056 - Listening/Speaking III

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a listening/speaking course for non-native speakers of English. This course is designed to develop fluency in English and to improve the listening and conversational skills needed for careers and academic study. Speaking skills focus on stress, rhythm and intonation. Theme-based pronunciation practice reinforces the vocabulary and content of the class. Prerequisite: ESL-033 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-052 and ESL-059.

ESL-059 - Grammar III

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a grammar course for non-native speakers of English. The class studies the structures of English with particular focus on patterns in grammar that are especially troublesome for nonnative speakers of English. Applications of these structures are performed through a variety of written exercises and extensive speaking and writing. Prerequisite: ESL-038 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-052 and ESL-056.

ESL-102 - Reading/Writing IV

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a reading/writing course for non-native speakers of English. The course develops higher order comprehension skills such as distinguishing between fact and opinion, and mastering persuasion techniques. It emphasizes strategies and skills that will help increase reading speed and understanding of denotation and connotation. The course leads students through the writing process by providing a wide variety of activities to help them master skills necessary for academic writing. Prerequisite: ESL-052 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-105 and ESL-108.

ESL-105 - Listening/Speaking IV

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a listening/speaking course for non-native speakers of English. The course emphasizes comprehension of oral language as spoken by native English speakers. Students will practice pronunciation in academic discourse. The course will help develop skills in applying idiomatic expressions in negotiating and reducing miscommunication. Prerequisite: ESL-056 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-102 and ESL 108.

ESL-108 - Grammar IV

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is an advanced course in grammar for non-native speakers of English, offering an introduction to such structures as gerunds, infinitives, various types of clauses and conditional sentences. Students will learn to apply the structures in classroom readings and in a variety of written tasks. Prerequisite: ESL-059 or meet minimum placement test score requirements. This course should be taken concurrently with ESL-102 and ESL-105.