The methods used in Fluency First are based on what current research tells us about effective language learning and teaching. A key principle is that the best way to develop reading and writing skills in another language is to read and write in that language as much as possible. In our program, students attend English classes five days a week, and for those classes, they read about 10 pages a day in assigned books. During an entire semester, this adds up to between 800 and 1000 pages of reading. Reading this much material helps improve students' reading skills and English vocabularies, and because the students are reading large quantities of correct English sentences, the reading also helps develop grammar skills. The books students read are selected for their high interest level, and include works by best-selling writers like John Grisham, the author of A Time to Kill, and Michael Crichton, the author of Jurassic Park.
Students in the English Department's Fluency First classes practice writing in English in various ways. At least some writing is done in class almost every day. The papers that students write outside of class are written in stages. First, students write rough drafts. The emphasis in these drafts is on fluency -- that is, on finding things to say and writing sentences that are clear enough for a reader to understand. Next, students write revised drafts in which the emphasis is on organizing ideas clearly. Finally, students write final drafts in which the effort is on correctness -- grammar, spelling, and so forth. At the end of the semester, students organize their final drafts into semester projects in the form of "books."
Throughout the Fluency First courses, teachers help students learn how to become better language learners through the use of well chosen learning strategies, and through a better understanding of the process of language learning.
Students in our Fluency First courses do a lot of work, as the above description makes clear, but the results are worth it. The extensive practice, and the dedication of teachers who do their best to maximize the chances for success of each individual student, produce real improvement in English skills.
ENG 100E3 Writing in English as a Second Language I. 3 credits. This course is exclusively for students whose native language is not English. The course focuses on English language skills necessary for success at the college level and emphasizes extensive reading as well as extensive practice in writing clear, well organized prose. Nine lecture/activity hours per week. Placement by recommendation of the English Department, ESL Committee in cooperation with the Admissions Office or a grade of C or better in English 100E2.
ENG 101E Writing in English as a Second Language II.
3 credits. This course is exclusively for students whose native language
is not English. The course focuses on English language skills necessary
for success at the college level, and emphasizes extensive reading and
writing, with emphasis on achieving correctness in written English.
Nine lecture/activity hours per week. Equivalent to ENG 101 or ENG
101I. Placement by recommendation of the English Department, ESL
Committee in cooperation with the Admissions Office or a grade of C or
better in English 100E3.
SPC101E-01 ESL Survey of Communication will meet T/TH 10:00-11:15 in SB 204 for three lecture hours per week (3.0 credit).SPC101F-01 ESL Oral Communication will meet T/TH 11:30-2:00 in SB 204 for six lecture hours per week (3.0 credits).
SPC101E ESL Survey of Communication. 3 credits. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for the advanced ESL student to gain a broad perspective of the varied communication experiences that exist in our society. Interpersonal communication, small group discussion and public speaking will be some of the areas covered. This course also focuses on American English pronunciation, articulation, conversational speaking and listening. Prerequisite: Placement by recommendation of the Department of Theatre and Speech Communication. ESL Survey of Communication fulfills the Speech Requirement. 3 lecture hours per week.
SPC101F ESL Oral Communication. 3 credits. This course is designed exclusively for students whose native language is not English. This introductory course focuses on pronunciation, articulation, conversational speaking and listening. Acquired skills will be used in interpersonal, group, and public speaking situations. This course meets for six hours per week to allow for extensive speech practice and applied speech communication theory. Corequisite: Enrollment in one of the ESL core courses. ESL Oral Communication fulfills the Speech Requirement.