ACADEMIC LISTENING & SPEAKING 500-600 provides students guidance in understanding spoken English in a variety of situations, including lectures, radio and TV programs, and tours. Students will also improve their note-taking skills. The class is open to students in levels 500 and 600.
ACADEMIC LISTENING AND SPEAKING 700-800 sharpens students’ listening and speaking skills by using authentic materials covering a variety of universal topics. In addition, students gain strategies for oral and written summaries, discussion, and note-taking. Daily activities may include listening to lectures and guest speakers, discussing short readings and giving presentations. The class is open to students in levels 700 and 800.
ACADEMIC READING AND WRITING 700-800 focuses on reading critically, summarizing, outlining, and responding to essays. Students discuss cultural topics, do vocabulary-building exercises, and learn how to analyze and make effective arguments. Students write various types of short essays, which requires use of the library and computers, and take essay exams. This class is open to students in levels 700 and 800.
BUSINESS introduces students to key business concepts and vocabulary by reading about and discussing real companies and world economies. Students may also do short presentations, projects, or visit area businesses. Topics include finance, international trade, marketing, management, and ethics. Previous business training or experience is not required. Business English is open to students in levels 700 and 800.
BUSINESS ACROSS CULTURES provides students with opportunities to read about and discuss cultural issues related to business around the world. Students improve their communication skills and learn about many aspects of the business cultures of the other students in the class, including hospitality, time, negotiating and stereotypes. Previous business training or experience is not required. Business English is open to students from level 500 to 800.
COMMUNICATION/CULTURE 500-800 uses the theme of culture as the topic for listening and speaking activities. The goal of the class is to help students improve their communication skills and learn about some aspects of American culture and the cultures of the students in the class. Activities include class discussions, presentations, and surveys. This class is open to students from level 500-800.
CURRENT TOPICS gives students the opportunity to explore social issues by following current events. Students can pursue their own interests by deciding together with the teacher which issues to discuss. They may also give weekly reports of the news, do research and give presentations. The class is open to students in 700 and 800 levels.
DRAMA gives students the chance to use their creativity by writing a movie script and filming it for all WESLI students. The students create characters, develop a plot, write dialogue, and become actors. In the process, students improve their writing skills, learn and practice slang, idioms, pronunciation, and everyday vocabulary. No special background or experience is necessary. This class is intended for all students in levels 500 to 800.
ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY 1 AND 2: These two courses focus on acquiring and mastering approximately 570 words taken from the Academic Word list. The mastery of the target words will be gained through using them in reading, conversation and writing tasks. Vocabulary will also be reinforced through speaking skills such as giving presentations, interviewing, and explaining charts. Essential Vocabulary 1 is intended for students in level 600 and above. Essential Vocabulary 2 is intended for students in level 700 and above.
MODERN LITERATURE provides extensive reading and discussion practice. By reading a complete, unadapted novel by a late 20th century writer, students can improve their reading speed, increase their vocabulary and learn about contemporary American culture. The class is open to students in levels 700 and 800.
NEWSPAPER WRITING gives students the chance to write and produce a newspaper for all WESLI students. The students are reporters who gather information and write a variety of stories. They also work as editors and designers, making decisions about what stories go into the newspaper and about how it looks. In the process, students practice their listening and speaking skills as well as building their vocabulary through interviewing and fact-checking. No. special background or experience is necessary. This class is intended for non academic students in levels 500 to 800.
PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS provides instruction and practice in how to speak in professional and business contexts such as meetings and conferences. Students learn to prepare, give and evaluate informational, impromptu, and persuasive speeches and to participate in discussion, refute others’ opinions, express a point of view and ask questions. The class is open to 700 and 800 level students.
PRONUNCIATION CLINIC helps students improve their clarity of speech and listening comprehension. Students will learn about basic sounds, as well as stress, rhythm and intonation at both the word and sentence level. The class is open to students in levels 400 to 800.
READING A NOVEL 500-600 is a non-academic alternative for students wanting to improve their English proficiency through extensive reading. Extensive reading of articles, short stories,and novels promotes greater comprehension and increases active and passive vocabulary. Reading material teaches students about American culture and helps them make connections between the topics and their own lives.
SLANG, LISTENING AND EVERYDAY ENGLISH enables students to better understand American conversation and the media, with an emphasis on informal language. From tapes and videos, students learn several aspects of casual speech including grammar, idioms, and slang. The class is open to students in levels 700 and 800.
TALK ABOUT FOOD helps students participate more comfortably in discussions about food. Students will learn to describe food, understand ingredients, order in a restaurant, and discuss issues related to food, such as health and the environment. Students will present a poster and/or a recipe in class.
TOEFL TEST PRACTICE assists students in maximizing their TOEFL score through practice tests, strategies for the new integrated iBT test, and practice using the computer. These classes are open to students in levels 600, 700 and 800.
TOEIC PREPARATION helps students maximize their score on the Test of English for International Communication. The class covers strategies for both the listening and reading parts of the test. The class is open to students in levels 600, 700 and 800 |
