Sometimes we discover that people from all over the world have the same problems and concerns. In this integrated skills class, students read and discuss texts on high-interest and current topics. The readings expose students to various genres of writing. Students focus on learning strategies for faster and better reading, such as skimming, scanning, predicting, inferring, analyzing and synthesizing information, while increasing their vocabulary building skills. Writing exercises connect to reading texts or themes and progress from controlled to more free writing.
Students learn to develop, organize and edit their work.
Lower level students focus on the basic skills of paragraph writing while advanced students work toward gaining full competence in writing for academic or professional purposes. Students examine specific grammar structures individually, learning their form and meaning first and then using the structures in personalized, communicative activities. Because activities are varied and involve listening, speaking, reading and writing, this course actually a foundation for the other core courses. This course is designed to help students use the World Wide Web while developing their English skills. We will visit sites designed for ESL students and refine searching skills using topics of interest.