Students aim to develop reading comprehension through exposure to a variety of materials that focus on cultural diversity in the United States. They are taught pre-reading, skimming and scanning techniques, advanced vocabulary, word forms, word derivations, referent recognition as well as common idiomatic expressions. Students also focus on understanding the difference between main ideas and supporting details and how to arrive at meaning through context. In this course, grammar and usage are taught through exercises that increase language fluency and understanding. Topics include passive vs. active voice, adjective clauses, noun clauses, count vs. non-count nouns, quoted vs. reported speech, article usage, infinitives vs. gerunds etc.
Students also practice freewriting and paragraph development.
Computer fee will be required. In this course, students practice speaking in small groups or pairs through free and guided conversation, problem solving, and values clarification exercises which focus on issues in American culture. Vocabulary, pronunciation, and correct language structure are emphasized. This course may also include involvement in campus activities and field trips to various sites of interest in the capital region. This course presents the basic elements of speaking and listening used in standard American English.