St. Norbert College

ESL Program ESLI 042 Beginning Reading You’ll increase your vocabulary, read faster and understand more of what you read. You’ll develop reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, previewing and predicting. You’ll practice reading authentic material such as short reading passages, simplified short stories, news articles and an abridged ESL novel. ESLI 043 Beginning Writing Class You’ll improve your ability to write in English by learning to write simple and compound sentences, and short, well-organized simple paragraphs that include title, topic sentence, supporting sentences and a conclusion. You’ll practice rules of punctuation and capitalization, as well as learn spelling rules and cursive writing. In addition to learning basic writing skills, you’ll study simple verb tenses, nouns, pronouns, adverbs and adjectives. ESLI 044 Beginning Speaking You’ll learn to communicate in English in everyday situations. You’ll learn to ask and answer questions, use the telephone, take messages, pronounce and note simple numbers, and perform functions such as initiating conversations, asking for directions, making invitations and closing conversations. Class activities include performing simple role-plays, participating in small groups and presenting short three-minute visual presentations. You’ll engage in authentic dialogue. ESLI 045 Beginning Listening You’ll practice listening to authentic taped conversations and monologues on topics of general and cultural interest. The focus in this class is on listening to discourse that is no more than five minutes in length. You’ll work on understanding phrases, simple sentences and questions, as well as perceiving stress and basic intonation patterns. ESLI 052 Elementary Reading This reading skills course will help you develop skills in reading speed and comprehension. You’ll be introduced to reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, previewing, predicting, making inferences and giving opinions. Reading materials include short stories, news articles, computer passages and a simplified novel. ESLI 053 Elementary Writing In this course, you’ll learn to write well-organized and coherent paragraphs that include a topic sentence and detailed supporting sentences. You’ll practice a variety of writing styles and forms, which may include narrative, descriptive and expository paragraphs, journals, and letters. By the end of the term, you’ll understand and write a three-paragraph essay. Grammar study includes review and practice of the simple and present perfect tenses, and study and practice of noun forms, adjectives, modals, gerunds and infinitives. ESLI 054 Elementary Speaking In this course, you’ll actively practice speaking skills for a variety of situations including requesting and giving information, and practice strategies for beginning, maintaining and ending a conversation. Special attention is given to pronunciation, intonation and correct grammar usage. Activities may include making introductions, giving demonstrations and short speeches, role-playing, and group discussions. Active participation in daily classroom activities is required. ESLI 055 Elementary Listening You’ll learn to listen for details and inferences as well as main ideas. You’ll summarize passages heard on tape or video. You’ll learn to discriminate between different stress and intonation patterns, and recognize and identify verb tenses, possession markers and plurality. ESLI 065 American Society In this content-based listening/speaking course, you’ll be introduced to American culture and values. Class themes include education in America, ethnic and racial assimilation, women and work, American government, religion, and entertainment. Activities may include reading, discussion and analysis of video/movie segments. Classes are frequently supplemented with class trips in the community. You’ll develop confidence in your ability to use American English as you gain a better understanding of American society. ESLI 066 Culturally Speaking This speaking course introduces you to American culture through classroom discussions and role-playing. The class focuses on improving aural/oral skills while giving you the opportunity to communicate in authentic language situations. You’ll improve listening and speaking skills by comparing and contrasting cultures, including your own. ESLI 067 Public Speaking This course develops the oral communication skills of intermediate- and advanced-level ESL. Emphasis is given to speaking in academic, business and professional situations. Reading and writing are also required components of the class. You’ll develop analytical skills by identifying issues, evaluating options and solving problems. A wide variety of materials and methods may be used to achieve course goals. ESLI 072 Intermediate Reading This intermediate-level reading class emphasizes reading strategies such as skimming for ideas, scanning for specific information, separating fact from opinion, guessing meaning from context, making inferences and understanding humor. You’ll improve reading speed and comprehension using such materials as short stories, news articles and abridged and unabridged novels. An important part of the course is the transition from ESL reading material to authentic first-language texts. ESLI 073 Intermediate Writing This course teaches you to develop a written paper into a unified, coherent, well-supported five-paragraph college-style essay that incorporates clearly written sentences in a variety of styles and mature (complex) sentences. Writing tasks include in-class timed essays, out-of-class process essays with two to three drafts each, summaries of newspaper and magazine articles, and reactions to readings with opinions and personal reflections. ESLI 074 Intermediate Speaking You’ll develop your oral communication skills. Emphasis is given to speaking in academic, business and professional situations. Reading and writing are also required components of the class. You’ll develop analytical skills by identifying issues, evaluating options and solving problems. A wide variety of materials and methods may be used to achieve course goals. ESLI 075 Intermediate Listening This course introduces you to pre-college academic lectures and note-taking, as well as to different aspects of American humor through the use of taped lectures and radio broadcasts. You’ll develop skills to understand main ideas and significant details, inferences, and cultural aspects of American humor. ESLI 081 Current Events/News In this course, you’ll continue to improve listening comprehension and speaking skills. You’ll participate in discussions of current social and political issues. You’ll gather and organize information from sources that include television news, newspapers, magazines, personal interviews and electronic media. You’ll engage in a variety of activities, including out-of-class research, in-class listening exercises, small and large group discussions of news reports, and oral and written presentations. ESLI 083 / CIE 334 Business Writing See the infrequently offered courses. ESLI 085 / CIE 335 Business Issues This is a multi-skill course that introduces you to current business issues in American economic life. You’ll read, write and discuss business issues in the context of American cultural values. You’ll read, write, listen to and discuss issues from television news reports, the Wall Street Journal, and other daily or weekly business publications. Grammar is reviewed and assigned as homework when needed. Spring 1 session. ESLI 086 / CIE 331 Introduction to U.S. Political History You’ll learn about the impact of the Revolutionary War and Civil War on American society. You’ll discuss the factors that led to war, the politics involved before and during the war and the major battles fought in each war. Course materials include videos, internet research, readings and speeches. Major assignments for this course will include presentations, tests and quizzes, written assignments, and a research paper. Spring 1 session. ESLI 088 / CIE 333 Introduction to U.S. American Literature This content-based course gives students an overview of various genres in American literature to introduce the most distinguished American authors and their works. The course focuses on aspects of American life and its reflection through literature. Spring 1 session. ESLI 089 / CIE 336 Introduction to U.S. Intercultural Communication You’ll listen to, write about and discuss the meaning of culture and how it influences communication with people from other cultures. You’ll identify culturally determined values and beliefs about your own culture and identify reasons for the success or failure of intercultural communication. The course combines readings and lectures with problem-solving activities using role-plays, discussions, simulations, reflection papers and group discussions. Spring 1. ESLI 091 Advanced Lecture and Notetaking In this class, you’ll practice listening to extended speech and lectures while identifying key ideas, supporting details and organizational patterns. Content includes guest lectures and lectures on tape. You’ll be asked to observe and report on several college lecture classes. You’ll learn to take comprehensible notes using note-taking symbols and abbreviations. ESLI 092 Advanced Reading In this class, you’ll be exposed to the kinds of reading that you can expect to find in your college courses. Course materials include college textbook material, newspaper and journal articles, essays, a full-length unabridged novel, short stories and poetry. You’ll continue to practice inference, skimming, scanning and summarizing. You’ll respond to readings through writing, discussions and oral reports. ESLI 093 Advanced Writing This pre-college writing course requires you to write timed and drafted essays, complete essay exam questions, and complete a 15-20 page research paper. Skills taught include brainstorming, outlining, researching, drafting and redrafting, and preparing and using note, source and bibliography cards. You’ll research, analyze and evaluate issues. In addition, you’ll summarize, paraphrase, quote and document sources. ESLI 096 Issues for Debate and Discussion This listening/speaking course is for high intermediate and advanced-level students. You’ll continue to build confidence in speaking by participating in class discussions and debates and by making individual oral presentations. You’ll learn conversational strategies such as agreeing and disagreeing, interrupting, and asking for clarification. You’ll listen to tapes and videos in both formal and informal English. Topics of discussion typically include environmental issues, gun control, abortion, AIDS, homelessness and sexual harassment.