ESL 98: English Language Bridge Level I: Intermediate Grammar and Writing

Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am

This is an intermediate-level English language course for students whose first language is not English. This developmental course focuses on strengthening the foundation of English grammatical skills and applying them in academic writing. Emphasis is on understanding the meaning, use, and form of common grammar structures in this form of writing. Students will focus on accurate production of English, through a series of grammatical, written, and oral assignments. These skills and forms will then be applied in their own writing and editing processes. This course prepares students for the more advanced ESL 101. (The credit for this course does not apply toward a baccalaureate or an associate degree.)

ESL 101: Mid-Advanced Grammar and Writing

Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am

This APP course is designed to help multilingual writers gain a stronger foundation in editing written work and understanding and using English grammar correctly. Emphasis is on understanding the meaning, use and form of common grammatical structures needed for academic writing and oral communication; this is achieved by building upon basic knowledge of English grammar and by focusing on accurate production of English through grammatical, written, and oral exercises. This course is a prerequisite for ESL 102 and ESL104.

ESL 102: High-Advanced Grammar and Writing

Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am

This advanced-level APP course for multilingual writers is designed to help students build a stronger foundation of grammatical and editing skills and produce more natural, accurate, and complex writing. Emphasis is placed on understanding and using grammatical structures needed for academic writing and discussion at the university level and employing the writing process to produce clear, grammatically correct short essays. Prerequisite: ESL101 and ESL 103 or by placement.

ESL 099: Intermediate Reading, Writing & Vocabulary

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30-11:30 am

The goal of this intermediate level APP course is to help students to read, write, and speak more confidently and accurately in English in preparation for more advanced academic study. Emphasis is placed on written fluency, clarity, and editing skills as students develop ideas and written responses to a variety of academic readings. Focus will be on vocabulary acquisition from the academic word list, development of academic writing, and acquiring strategies to improve reading comprehension. (The course is considered developmental and does not award credits toward graduation.). This course is a prerequisite for ESL 103.

ESL 103: Mid-Advanced Reading, Writing & Vocabulary

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30-11:30 am

This advanced-level APP course is designed to help multilingual writers produce grammatically accurate, well-constructed, coherent English essays. Students will learn how to write, revise, and edit paragraphs and essays and to read and analyze the content of a variety of literature, thereby increasing their productive and receptive academic vocabulary. Prerequisite: ESL 99 or by placement.

ESL 104: High-Advanced Reading, Writing & Vocabulary

Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30-11:30 am

This advanced-level APP course is designed for multilingual writers who are nearly ready for College Writing but need additional work in refining academic reading and writing skills. Work will focus on reading academic literature and applying  academic writing skills to university-level critical-thinking-based assignments. Additional work will develop academic vocabulary extension. Prerequisite: ESL 103 and ESL 101 or by placement.

ESL 100C: College Writing

Tuesday & Thursday, 1:15-3:15 pm

This course, a special section of ENG 100C, is open only to multilingual writers who have met USM writing proficiency requirements through the USM writing placement test, or have successfully completed ESL 104 and 102. ESL 100C meets the College Writing requirement for the CORE Curriculum and focuses on the composition, editing, and analysis skills needed for effective university-level writing. Prerequisites: ESL 104 and ESL 102 or by placement.

Each student follows the  sequence of the above-listed courses for both grammar/editing and academic reading and writing. Initial course placement is determined by an assessment  completed before the start of the program.

A student must pass each course with a grade of C+ (77) or better to progress to the course next level.

College Writing is a general education requirement for all USM students.