The American Studies Program is an accelerated program that combines intensive ESL classes, cultural themes, and field trips. Students will have ample opportunity to sharpen their English language skills by concentrating on speaking, listening, reading, and vocabulary building. All students must take a placement test to determine their level before entering the ESL courses. Students take 20 hours of class per week with additional projects assigned. Classwork may include communicative activities, discussions, cultural readings, listening exercises, vocabulary games, and videos.
All students participate in two field trips per week.
Excursions during the Summer 2000 Program included a walking tour of the Loop, Musuem of Science and Industry, Chicago Historical Society, Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Gurnee Mills Outlet Center, Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival, Halsted Street Market Days, and Foster Avenue Beach. Particular attention is given to discussions, projects, refining language skills, and building vocabulary. Attention is given to more difficult extensive and intensive reading. I found the reading-writing class especially useful in order to prepare me for my mainstream class. My teacher taught me how to approach Western writing style.