English Language Institute Courses

At the beginning and intermediate levels (095-099), students take a set of three integrated skills courses as part of the core curriculum. These three courses include the following: Writing and Reading, Speaking and Listening, and English Grammar. Students at the advanced level (level 100) take the following integrated skills courses that address academic content areas.

ESL 101 Advanced English: Academic Reading and Writing

This course is for students who are preparing to study at the university level. The course emphasizes reading strategies, vocabulary development, and writing reports and academic essays using source materials. Students have the opportunity to take a selected Arcadia University course with tutorial support.

ESL 102 Advanced Oral Communication

This course focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills used in academic settings. Students learn to take notes from lectures, use English to solve problems and work in groups, give oral presentations, and communicate effectively on campus.

ESL 103 Advanced Academic Writing

This course focuses on writing various types of essays for academic purposes. Class topics include essay organization and development, coherence in writing, and the accurate use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

ESL 104 Advanced Academic Reading

This course prepares students to read academic texts more effectively and to discuss them with others in a university classroom. Class topics include note-taking, summarizing, responding critically, and posing/addressing discussion questions.

For full-time students, the ELI offers ESL 090 workshop classes, depending on student need. These workshops classes meet for two hours on Friday or one-hour/two-days-a-week. Depending on student need, the ELI has offered TOEFL Test Preparation, English Pronunciation, Reading the U.S. News, Reading and Discussion, Vocabulary Development, American Idioms through TV and Film, Accuracy and English Spelling, Everyday Conversation, Business Communication, and Listening to Academic Lectures.