courses

Intensive ESL Program

The approach of the PALS Program emphasizes the interrelation of language and culture. The PALS Intensive program offers a complete program of English courses at six levels of proficiency: Beginners, Basic, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Low Advanced, and High Advanced. New students are tested for placement into the most appropriate level.

In addition to the courses that are detailed below, students have access to the PALS Computer Lab, which provides software, textbooks, and other supplementary language learning materials. Students utilize the Lab as a quiet study space and occasionally attend classes in the Lab.

Courses Offered

Communicative Grammar

This course teaches with practical contexts the patterns of English grammar and rules of use. Students learn how and when to use the grammar they are studying as well as the correct forms. The Grammar course is coordinated with the Writing course.

Listening & Conversation

Students learn how to understand spoken English by working with materials from a wide variety of contexts and practicing speaking in formal and informal situations. They learn how to express their ideas in organized, grammatically acceptable ways.

Pronunciation

This course teaches the principles and techniques of English pronunciation, including producing individual sounds and sequences of sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation.

Reading and Vocabulary

This course teaches students a variety of types of reading and teaches the reading skills of skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, and interpreting an author's point of view. Vocabulary development teaches word building, use of the dictionary, and reading speed.

Survival Skills

(Beginners & Basic levels): Students learn information necessary to getting by in their daily lives. Topics include the learning about the university and its services, living in apartments, shopping, banking, getting around town, making phone calls, etc.

Writing

Students work through the writing process step by step, from formulating ideas through revision. They learn to organize ideas, to use correct form and pronunciation, to use coherent structure, and how to edit and revise. Students write approximately two assignments per week as well as do other exercises in correcting and revising their writing.