The ESL Center offers a unique, intensive language program with a variety of classes that are designed to complement each other as well as provide in-depth English language instruction. The intensive program consists of 7-week long modules and allows students to develop those language skills needed in an academic environment as measured by standardized tests such as TOEFL.

There are two kinds of courses: "Core Skills Courses"and "Elective Courses." All full-time students will enroll in five different courses during each 7-week module. They choose their courses from the list of Core Skills and Electives whereby each student needs to be enrolled in a minimum of 4 Core Skills courses.

Initial placement is based on test scores only. Students will automatically advance to the next higher level through passing grades; they may skip one or several levels through excellent test scores at the end of a 7- week module. All students participate in first-time placement tests as well as in achievement tests after each 7-week module.

All Core Skills courses are taught at ten different proficiency levels. At each level, students will improve their proficiency through a wide host of communicative activities, including TOEFL-style forms of practice. The levels correspond to the following designations:

Level 1: mid-beginning

Level 2: high-beginning

Level 3: low-intermediate

Level 4: mid-intermediate

Level 5: mid to high-intermediate

Level 6: high-intermediate

Level 7: low-advanced

Level 8: mid-advanced

Level 9: advanced

Level 10: advanced

Core Skills Courses:

Speaking: 2 credits at each level

Students develop oral communication skills for various communicative settings in academic and non-academic environments. Students practice both giving independent and integrated spoken responses.

Listening: 1 credit at each level

Students develop listening skills pertaining to student life/out of the classroom as well as to academic situations selected from the natural and social sciences, the arts and business. Classes will focus on developing basic comprehension, pragmatic understanding, as well as connecting information and building note-taking skills.

Writing: 2 credits at each level

Students will learn about the process of writing and how to write different texts genres, including journal entries, essays and research papers. Students will practice writing independent and integrated short essays.

Reading: 2 credits at each level

Students will improve their reading skills through finding and understanding main ideas, comprehending vocabulary from context, making inferences, summarizing and other techniques. Note-taking, timed readings and vocabulary building are important components of this course.

Grammar: 2 credits at each level

Students will learn how English phrases, clauses and sentences are formed to support building fluency and accuracy when practicing speaking, listening, writing, and reading.

Elective Courses:

University Orientation: 1 credit

This is a cover term for courses providing students with an overview of knowledge and skills that they in order to be successful in their field of study. Course offer depends on demand. Currently we offer:

• Orientation for Business Students

English for Specific Purposes: 2 credits

This is a cover term for courses that help students to practice the special skills that professionals need to communicate successfully in their fields of expertise. Course offer depends on demand. Currently we offer:

• Business English I and II
• Technical English

Pronunciation: 1 credit

In various communicative situations, students will learn how to identify their pronunciation problems and how to improve their pronunciation of utterances, words or individual sounds.

Debate: 1 credit

Students learn the skills necessary for debates. The focus is on persuasive speaking making effective arguments, and active listening. Students engage in both formal and informal debates and make several small presentations.

Public Speaking: 1 credit

This course is designed to prepare students for continued academic study and professional advancement. Students study effective techniques for speaking in public and both design and analyze a number of speeches and small presentations.

American Culture: 2 credits at each level

Students study various phenomena of American culture such as history, ethnic groups, music, theater, educational institutions, the development of a multicultural society and how culture and language are interrelated.

American Literature: 2 credits at each level

Students learn to understand common themes in American literature as they relate to American Culture. Students will explore a variety of literary forms, including short stories, poems, folk tales and films.

TOEIC Preparation: 2 credits

This course practices special skills needed for the TOEIC test.