Course Offerings for Fall 2008
English as a Second Language Program
308 Bartlett UMASS/Amherst
413-545-4210
esl@acad.umass.edu
Currently registered undergraduate & graduate students may enroll on SPIRE.
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS
ESL 120 Advanced Grammar and Writing
Helps students build confidence in themselves as effective writers who use language
appropriately and meaningfully for academic contexts. Teaches grammar as a system of
communicative language. Develops writing and reading skills through writing projects in a
variety of genres and for different purposes and audiences. Guides students in locating,
correcting, and tracking their own grammatical errors. Inspires students to attain an expert
level of second language grammar and writing for their university courses.
Section 1: 9:05 – 11:00 AM
M, W, F
Credits: 6
IMPROVE YOUR ORAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
ESL 125 Techniques of Oral Communication
Develops overall oral communication skills of non-native speakers of English for giving short
speeches and engaging in informal dialogues. 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 guidance for the attainment of an
expert level of second language speaking and listening proficiency. Appropriate for both
undergraduate and graduate students.
Section 1: 12:20-1:10
M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR ACADEMIC VOCABULARY
ESL 126 Vocabulary and Comprehension of Academic English
Expands the range and increases the size of academic vocabulary of non-native speakers of
English for academic and professional writing, speaking, and listening. Develops fluency and
precision of expression through engaging in-class activities. Provides opportunities to improve
listening comprehension of recorded academic lectures. Promotes mastery of the University
Word List, the most frequently found words in authentic academic texts as revealed by computer
analysis. Appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Section 1: 11:15-12:05
M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR ADVANCED WRITING ACADEMIC SKILLS
ESL 130 Advanced Composition
Promotes an expert level of second language writing proficiency demanded by the university.
Emphasizes the process of creating and revising meaningful, clearly-written text 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. 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
IMPROVE YOUR INFORMAL SPEAKING SKILLS FOR UNIVERSITY TEACHING
ESL 290A Conversation Strategies in the Classroom
Develops conversational speaking fluency and listening comprehension for the fast, reduced
speech typical of American classrooms. Promotes effective communication in the classroom, in
the lab, and during office hours. Increases accuracy of pronunciation and fluency of expression.
Uses drama techniques to improve stress, rhythm, and intonation. Provides analysis and practice
in academic oral grammar and appropriate vocabulary use. Builds confidence through extensive
practice and feedback. Helps International Teaching Assistants become better university
teachers, but other interested students may also enroll.
Section 1: 11:15 AM – 12:05 PM
M, W, F
Credits: 3
IMPROVE YOUR GRAMMAR FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND THE WORKPLACE
ESL 290C Professional Grammar for Speaking & Writing
Builds confidence for writing and speaking in academic and professional contexts for
undergraduate and graduate students. Helps students learn to use language accurately and
appropriately 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 genres, as revealed by computer-driven
analysis. Appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Section 1: 12:20 PM – 1:10 PM
M, W, F
Credits: 3