▶ ESL Program 2008-2009
SCUSOMA’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed to assist students with the improvement of their English reading, writing and speaking skills. The ESL program prepares students for academic programs, courses and tasks they will be expected to perform as they pursue their academic degrees.
ESL Class Information
Our ESL classes have a 20:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for small classes and individualized attention. To assist our ESL students, free tutoring is also available at the Center for Academic Excellence.
ESL courses at Columbia College are designed with special emphases in mind - such as composition, speaking and listening, and academic content. Students in all ESL classes are strongly encouraged to:
- Practice reading, writing, speaking and listening every day;
- Use English, both in and out of the classroom; and
- Ask questions and express themselves actively in speaking and writing.
What makes our ESL Program Unique
- ESL has three proficiency levels targeted for your level of learning
- Small ESL class size
- Free tutoring available
- ESL classes will count for credit towards a Columbia College degree
- Qualified and dedicated faculty
- No TOEFL necessary to enter the ESL program
- Campus is close to cultural events, shopping and entertainment
- Los Angeles, Downtown is easily accessible to international airports
- Individualized attention
1. BEGINNING TO LOW INTERMEDIATE COURSES (Non-Credit Courses)
ESL101: Dramatic English
Improve your overall speaking fluency by participating in skits and improvisations. Overcome your fear of speaking by taking on the personality of different characters in short monologues, dialogues, and improvisational skits. Attention is given to nonverbal language and voice projection exercises. By the end of the class, you should feel more confident about your ability to communicate orally in English.
ESL102: Everyday Conversation
Learn and practice vocabulary and idiomatic phrases needed to communicate in everyday life. Participate in role plays based on various situations, including eating at a restaurant, shopping, meeting new people, getting directions, buying a car, and going to a party. The instructor will help you with any pronunciation problems that interfere with clear communication. The class goal is for you to gain confidence in your ability to speak to Americans informally.
ESL103: Grammar Basics
Review basic rules of spoken and written English grammar. Emphasis is on you using (not memorizing) the rules in real, communicative activities including writing letters, e-mails, Blogs, and performing dialogues. This course is ideal for students who know minimal English or students who would like to learn how to communicate more accurately in English.
ESL104: Reading Club
Read short stories, magazine articles, or very short novels outside of class. Then, during class, Discuss the characters, events, or other content of what you have read. The teacher will help you with vocabulary and give cultural background to the stories.
ESL105: Topics in the News
Practice all four skills in English. Read and listen to various news stories in local newspapers and news programs, and collect various news stories throughout the course. As a final project, you create a Language Institute Web site with both print and video stories. You have full responsibility for writing and producing news articles and video clips, as well as designing the Web site.
*ESL 프로그램 한국어 안내
ESL 프로그램은 수시로 입학이 가능합니다. 타교에서 본교로의 전학도 가능합니다.
수업시간: 주 5일 수업을 원칙으로 하며, 사이버교실(www.swprep.com) 프로그램을 이용하기도 합니다.
- 오전반: 오전 9시-오후 1시*
- 오후반: 오후 1시-오후 5시*
- 저녁반: 오후 6시-오후 10시*
- 주말 특별반: 토요일 오후 1시-6시
*각 반별 담당 교수의 지도아래 수업시간이 달라질 수 도 있습니다. 교재는 본교 ESL사무실에서 구입하실 수 있습니다.
2. INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED COURSES (Non-Credit Courses)
ESL201: American Pronunciation
Learn how to pronounce English more clearly. Identify aspects of your pronunciation that interfere with the clarity of their communication. Learn how to pronounce problematic sounds as well as rules for pausing, phrasing, intonation, linking, and stress. In-class instruction will include special exercises to help practice various aspects of pronunciation and exercises to help you incorporate these new speech patterns into normal conversation. By the end of the course, you should have the ability to do some self-monitoring of your pronunciation.
ESL202: American Studies
You will use the skills of writing, reading, speaking, and listening in English as you learn about the city of Atlanta. Course content focuses on Atlanta from a historical and contemporary perspective, from slavery and the Civil War to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement to the headquarters of Coca-Cola, Home Depot, and CNN, and a vibrant music scene. You will read as well as listen to lectures and watch movie segments about the city. You spend part of the class time visiting important sites in Atlanta and keep a written and oral journal of your discoveries.
ESL203: Better Writing
Practice making your vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation more accurate in your writing. Learn various techniques for sentence combination and word-order variations. The instructor will help you identify weaknesses in your writing and provide feedback on how to improve these areas. Learn how to recognize differences in formal and informal writing in terms of vocabulary, grammatical structures, and punctuation.
ESL204: Building Stronger Vocabulary
Understand and use idioms and expressions in everyday conversation in English. Listen to the vocabulary in authentic contexts and learn to incorporate some expressions into your spoken English. You will also be exposed to vocabulary that appears on standardized college entrance tests, such as the SAT and GRE. Study word roots and parts to help you figure out meanings of unfamiliar words. Some class time will be devoted to choosing vocabulary in realistic test settings.
ESL205: Business Communication
Learn typical business vocabulary for reading, writing, and speaking. Write short business memos and reports, as well as discuss case studies about employees, products, or customers. Give at least one brief business presentation.
ESL206: iBT TOEFL Preparation
Prepare to take the iBT (Internet-based) TOEFL. Learn the format of each of the four sections of the TOEFL, including writing, reading, speaking, and listening. Learn what to expect on the test and practice answering questions similar to the questions that actually appear on the test. The instructor will provide feedback on how well you perform the various tasks required on the test. A textbook is required (available at the SCU SOMA bookstore).
ESL207: Public Speaking
The oral presentation skills are different from that of conversation. You might have to give formal talks or speeches, teach classes, participate in business meetings, lead group discussions, or present at conferences. Learn pronunciation as well as cultural rules, such as how to organize information; how to use visual aids; how to use body language appropriately; and how to interact with an audience, large or small
Evening Class
ESL208: Practical Writing Skills
Focus on skills needed for business or academic writing. Learn how to write effective resumes, business letters, memoranda, and reports, as well as short research topics or technical reports. Course materials will be provided in class. This course is intended for intermediate- to advanced-level students.
ESL209: Contemporary Issues—Developing Discussion Skills
Work on developing oral skills through discussion of current events and overall fluency in speaking by focusing on accent reduction, vocabulary, discussion skills, and conversational development. Course materials will be provided in class. This course is intended for upper intermediate- to advanced-level students.
ESL210: Public Speaking Skills
Learn the skills required to prepare and present a public speech or presentation. Focus on various presentation techniques and topics including:
- defining your audience,
- introducing yourself;
- giving a dynamic opening and closing;
- fielding questions;
- using appropriate transitions;
- organizing and developing ideas;
- fighting fear;
- choosing good examples, vocabulary, details, and facts;
- delivery (body language, gestures, eye-contact, speech volume, pacing) and using effective visual aids (such as PowerPoint and handouts).
Address several pronunciation techniques. Get individualized attention through individual-needs appointments with the teacher. Deliver a speech every week. By the end of the course, you should be able to give a public speech or presentation with confidence and clarity. This course is intended for intermediate- to advanced-level students.
ESL211: Preparation for TOEIC Exam
Prepare for the TOEIC, which has four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. On the exam, you must demonstrate your ability to integrate these skills when responding to what you read, hear, or see. Learn the kinds of items you must respond to and strategies to improve the way you respond in writing and speaking in a timed setting. This course is intended for upper intermediate- to advanced-level students.
ESL212: Improving Your Job Search—From Resumes to Interviewing
Thinking about changing your job? Learn how to make a better impression in your job search. Explore steps to writing a winning resume and cover letter then preparing for a successful interview. Examine the different resume styles, and choose the one that is right for you. Learn to create cover letters that highlight your strengths. Master practical skills for presenting yourself and building confidence for an effective interview through role plays and interactive exercises. Course materials will be provided in class. This course is intended for upper intermediate- to advanced-level students.
ESL213: Grammar/Writing Skills
Review of English grammar including adjectives, nouns, and adverb clauses, parallelism, verb tenses and voices, articles, pronoun references, and gerunds and infinitives. Get extensive practice with these structures in meaningful communication. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate with greater accuracy and sophistication in writing. This course is intended for intermediate- to advanced-level students. Course materials will be provided in class.
ESL214: Developing the Art of Conversation
Work on developing oral skills through a look at popular-culture America. Concentrate on your overall fluency in speaking by focusing on accent reduction, vocabulary, presentation skills, and conversational development. Course materials will be provided in class. This course is intended for intermediate to advanced-level non-native English students.
ESL215: Clearer Speech
Work on your ability to speak clearly. Identify aspects of your pronunciation that interfere with overall intelligibility. Practice sounds, stress, rhythm, intonation, and thought groups in isolation and in context. Get individual feedback and learn how to self monitor your pronunciation. Course materials will be provided in class. This course is intended for intermediate to advanced-level non-native English students.
*ESL 프로그램 한국어 안내
ESL 프로그램은 수시로 입학이 가능합니다. 타교에서 본교로의 전학도 가능합니다.
수업시간: 주 5일 수업을 원칙으로 하며, 사이버교실 프로그램을 이용하기도 합니다.
- 오전반: 오전 9시-오후 1시*
- 오후반: 오후 1시-오후 5시*
- 저녁반: 오후 6시-오후 10시*
- 주말 특별반: 토요일 오후 1시-6시
*각 반별 담당 교수의 지도아래 수업시간이 달라질 수 도 있습니다. 교재는 본교 ESL사무실에서 구입하실 수 있습니다.
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