ESL Program and Courses

The Ciarco Learning Center offers TEN (10) English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) courses. 
Each succeeding course is designed to build upon skills learned in the preceding class. Classes typically meet 4 mornings, 4 afternoons, or 3 evenings per week for a total of 60 hours. Class enrollment is limited to permit maximum participation by students and to provide immediate attention to student needs. The tuition for each course, except for Conversation and Writing:  Part I, is $255.00 and includes the cost of books. The tuition for Conversation and Writing:  Part I, is $255.00.  Prior to class assignment, all students must register for an introductory course in which students are evaluated in reading and language. Please note: A nonrefundable $30.00 registration fee is charged for the evaluation.

SCHEDULE OF ESL CLASSES
The Information and Registration Desk on the first floor of the Center will have the most up-to-date information on classes and when they are scheduled to meet.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

BEGINNER ESL I (AL 512). This 60-hour beginning course introduces students of English Language to basic grammar structures while concentrating on vocabulary development. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also introduces students to 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries Basic 1’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking functions.

BEGINNER ESL II (AL 513). This 60-hour Beginner II course builds on basic grammar structures learned in Beginner I, and increases the students vocabulary. This course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding and comprehension of basic grammar structures, increased vocabulary, and fundamentals of pronunciation so students can feel confident in their ability to learn and master the English Language. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also introduces students to 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries Basic 2’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and speaking functions. Pre-Requisite: Students enrolling in this course must have completed and passed Beginner ESL I, or must have tested for entry at this level.

INTERMEDIATE ESL I (AL 492). This 60-hour course is designed for English Language students at the Intermediate level of English proficiency in the areas of reading, conversation and language comprehension. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of verb tenses. Students will also learn to distinguish and use verbs correctly in their regular and irregular forms. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also introduces students to 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries - Basic Intermediate 1’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and speaking functions. Pre-Requisite: Students enrolling in this course must have completed and passed Beginner ESL II, or must have tested for entry at this level.

INTERMEDIATE ESL II (AL 493). This 60-hour Intermediate course builds on existing English skills taught in previous levels. This course is designed to provide the English Language student with a comprehensive understanding, mastery, and proper use of regular and irregular verbs in past tenses. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also introduces students to 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries - Intermediate 2’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and speaking functions. Pre–requisite: Students registering for this course must have completed and passed Intermediate ESL I, or must have tested for entry at this level.

INTERMEDIATE ESL III (AL 494). This 60-hour Intermediate ESL III course is designed to refine students English Language abilities and introduces them to a level of grammar structures that will enable the students to understand, converse and function socially in everyday life and work related situations. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also provides students with 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries - Advanced 1’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and speaking functions. Pre-Requisite: Students enrolling at this level must have completed and passed Intermediate ESL II, or must have tested for entry at this level.

ADVANCED ESL (AL 495). This 60-hour Advanced Level ESL course is designed for those students who have completed Intermediate Level III. This course refines the students’ English skills learned at this level and teaches them Advanced grammar structures, language and communication that will enable the student to function at a high level in everyday life, family and work. The course will give students competency in the use of grammar and confidence in their ability to comprehend and use correctly complex English structures. This course is taught with an emphasis on conversation, especially in life-coping skills situations. This course also includes 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries - Advanced 2 and 3’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and speaking functions. Pre-requisite: Students registering for this course must have completed and passed Intermediate Level III, or must have tested for entry at this level.

CONVERSATION AND WRITING: PART I (AL 514). This 60-hour course is designed to give advanced ESL students additional practice in spoken and written English. Review of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure will be done as needed. Discussion and conversation topics will form the basis for weekly writing assignments, which will consist of short and long essays. Students will also participate for 12 hours in a hands-on computer assisted program which will enable them to use ‘English Discoveries - Speech and Dialogues’. Students will also be able to research their essay topics using the Internet. Pre-requisite: Students enrolling in this course must have completed and passed Advanced ESL, or must have tested for entry at this level.

CONVERSATION AND WRITING: PART II (AL 515). This 60-hour course is designed to give Advanced ESL students additional practice in spoken and written English. Review of grammar, punctuation and sentence structure will be done as needed. Discussion and conversation topics will form the basis for weekly writing assignments, which will consist of short and long essays. Students will also participate for 12 hours in a hands on computer assisted program which will enable them to use ‘English Discoveries - Speech and Dialogues’. Students will also be able to research their essay topics using the Internet. Pre-requisite: Students enrolling in this course must have completed and passed Conversation and Writing: Part I, or must have tested for entry at this level.

ACCENT REDUCTION (AL 516). This 60-hour course, intended for ESL students, is designed to refine speaking and writing abilities through proficiency of the oral and written American English systems. This course is offered to those students who have a command of spoken English but still retain sufficient accent to hinder them in business, scholastic, or social situations. Students will participate for 12 hours in a hands-on computer-assisted instructional program using ‘English Discoveries Speech and Dialogues’. Students will also be able to research their class topics using the Internet. Pre-requisite: Students enrolling in this course must have completed and passed Advanced ESL, or have demonstrated command of spoken English.

GRAMMAR REVIEW (AL 517). This 60-hour course, intended for ESL students, is designed provide a comprehensive review of English grammar and usage to students with advanced English-speaking skills. The emphasis of the course is on oral and written structure and expression, grammar, and syntax. This course also includes 12 hours of hands-on computer assisted program and teacher guided exercises. Computer assisted program ‘English Discoveries – Review’ will reinforce, at an individual pace, areas of language comprehension, vocabulary and correct grammar usage and functions. Pre-Requisite: Students registering for this course must have completed and passed Advanced ESL or must have tested at this level.