ANNOUNCEMENT!
Spring 2009 Course Offerings
English as a Second Language Program
308 Bartlett UMASS/Amherst
413-545-4210
esl@acad.umass.edu
www.umass.edu/esl
Currently registered undergraduate and graduate students may enroll on SPIRE
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General Information About the Courses
Courses are for advanced students who wish to attain an expert level of second language proficiency, as
defined by the American Council of Foreign Language Teaching, for university writing and speaking
needed in undergraduate and graduate courses in the various academic disciplines.
Courses are informed by up-to-date findings in the research domains of Second Language Acquisition,
Intercultural Studies, and Applied Linguistics.
Courses are taught by experienced teachers holding specialized graduate degrees.
Course materials are based on the research findings of computer-assisted Corpus Linguistics and English
for Special Purposes, which focuses on the integration of language content and subject matters of a range of
academic disciplines.
IMPROVE YOUR FORMAL SPEAKING SKILLS FOR ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
ESL 290B Speaking Strategies for Presentations and Discussion
Created with the Funding Support of a Center of Teaching Faculty Grant
Focuses on the formal language skills, cultural awareness, and speech delivery skills required for solving high-level
problems in giving formal presentations as well as leading and participating in academic discussions and seminars.
Provides a variety of classroom activities that include viewing and listening to recorded lectures, giving prepared
oral presentations, and leading and participating in class discussions in the various academic disciplines. Develops
speaking skills and listening comprehension. Increases the use of accurate oral grammar and appropriate
vocabulary. Promotes cross-cultural awareness. Appropriate for International Teaching Assistants but all other
interested students are welcome to enroll.
Section 1: 11:15 – 12:05 M, W, F
Credits: 3
NEW COURSE! IMPROVE YOUR SUPERIOR-LEVEL WRITING SKILLS
ESL 290D Academic Writing for Graduate Students
Created with the Funding Support of a Center of Teaching Faculty Grant
Focuses on skills needed for writing academic papers, reports, reviews, and research projects. Provides oral
presentation practice related to writing assignments. Uses a classic text written exclusively for international
graduate students. Develops awareness of authentic text types representative of particular disciplines, as well as
considerations of genre conventions, audience, purpose, and context. Promotes precision of academic vocabulary
selection, increases the sophistication and accuracy of grammatical structures related to writing, and the use of
rhetorical devices to improve cohesion and coherence. Includes small group work, revising of writing, and individual
conferences. Appropriate for graduate students and upper-division undergraduate students.
Section 1: 12:20 – 1:10 M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR PRONUNCIATION
ESL 125 Techniques of Oral Communication
Based on the life work of the renowned phonology scholar, Rebecca M. Dauer
Develops overall oral communication skills of non-native speakers of English for giving short speeches and engaging
in informal dialogues and role-plays. Enables students to feel more confident and comfortable as public speakers for
academic audiences. Improves intelligibility through focus on English sounds, rhythm, stress, and intonation.
Provides feedback for the attainment of an expert level of second language speaking and listening proficiency.
Appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Section 1: 11:15-12:05
M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
ESL 126 Vocabulary and Comprehension of Academic English
Recently Revised according to Corpus Linguistics Research Findings
Increases the size and expands the range of vocabulary of non-native speakers of English for academic writing and
speaking. Focuses on accurate and appropriate use of academic vocabulary. Promotes mastery of the most
frequently found words and phrases used in authentic texts in various academic disciplines, based on computerdriven research findings. Improves listening comprehension of lectures. Helps undergraduate and graduate students
make their academic writing and speaking more precise, clear, and sophisticated. Uses engaging in class activities in
order to accelerate vocabulary learning to promote the attainment of an expert level of second language proficiency.
Section 1: 11:15-12:05
M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS
ESL 130 Advanced Composition
Revised with the Funding Support of a Center of Teaching Faculty Grant
Promotes an expert level of second language writing proficiency demanded by the University. Emphasizes the
process of creating and revising meaningful, appropriate, clearly-written essays as well as texts in a variety of
genres. Uses peer response and teacher guidance to provide feedback. Teaches the key proofreading and editing
skills needed by non-native speakers of English. Incorporates focus on speaking, listening, and reading skills. Uses
critical inquiry to explore global and local issues from multicultural perspectives. Analyzes cultural influences on
writing in English as well as in different languages. Helps develop informed and independent writers for academic
and professional contexts. Appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Section 1:
M, W: 9:05-11:00 & F: 9:05-9:55
Credits: 3
NEW COURSE TO BE OFFERED IN FALL 2009: IMPROVE YOUR PROFESSIONAL GRAMMAR SKILLS
ESL 290C Professional Grammar for Writing and Speaking
Created with the Funding Support of a Center of Teaching Faculty Grant
Builds confidence for writing and speaking in academic and professional contexts for undergraduate and graduate
students. Goes beyond handbook rules by using a linguistic approach to help students build a repertoire of options
for using language meaningfully, appropriately, and accurately in written texts and for oral presentations. Includes
in-class activities such as grammatical consciousness-raising, text analysis, production practice, proofreading and
editing for typical second language errors, and targeted speaking exercises. Helps students chart individual progress
by keeping a personal inventory of patterns of errors. Focuses primarily on the particular language used in various
academic disciplines, as revealed by English for Special Purposes computer-driven analysis. Appropriate for both
undergraduate and graduate students.
Credits: 3
FULFILLS A GEN-ED REQUIREMENT
CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF BEING APPROVED; TO BE OFFERED IN FALL 2009
ESL 290E English for Medical and Health Professionals
Created with the Funding Support of a Gen Ed Diversity Grant
Empowers non-native English speaking future nurses, doctors, and health professionals to improve their on-the-job
language skills and cross-cultural expertise. To prepare for clinical work, students practice using appropriate
language and examine the cultural differences between themselves, their patients, and their co-workers. Focuses on
not only speaking and listening but also reading and writing within the context of typical workplace activities. Uses a
Medical Board approved text written exclusively for non-native speakers of English. Emphasizes accuracy and
fluency of expression by reviewing key grammar and vocabulary structures indicated by English for Special
Purposes computer research. Promotes professionalism and builds confidence for undergraduate and graduate
students preparing to enter medical and health careers.
Section 1: 11:15 – 12:05 M, W, F
Credits: 3