UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
English Language Program, UC Berkeley Extension
COURSE AIM AND FOCUS
The Super Intensive English course is designed for students with advanced English proficiency (530 plus TOEFL scores) who want to develop in-depth English language skills with particular focus on speaking and listening comprehension improvement.. Students develop in-depth language skills in all skill areas and choose electives based on their level, interests, and objectives. This is a very intensive course and requires complete commitment from the student for maximum improvement of language proficiency in six weeks
INSTRUCTORS
Our instructors are highly-qualified professionals with master’s degrees in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or a related field. In addition, ELP instructors have an average of 19 years’ experience teaching English in the U.S. and abroad.
LEVELS
Students are assigned to one of four levels, from high intermediate to high advanced II, based on the results of the placement test given on the first day. Each student is placed at the level that is appropriate to his or her proficiency and that will assure the greatest opportunities for progress.
Level 53 (High Intermediate): For those with high intermediate proficiency in English
· Listening and speaking practice to enable students to discuss a variety of subjects with ease
· Weekly guest lecturers speak on aspects of American history and society
· Intensive review of English structure
· Practice in organizing short essays
· Reading for speed, comprehension, and development of university-level vocabulary
Level 54 (Advanced): For those with advanced proficiency in English
· Listening and speaking practice in the context of academic and professional situations
· Presentation skills
· Development of skills needed for reading material required in university-level courses
· Organization of expository writing
· Continued review of English grammar, with attention to features of syntax and styles of speech, and writing based on the needs of the class
· Weekly guest lecturers speak on aspects of American history and society
Level 55 (High Advanced): For those who are already fluent in English, but who wish to refine their language skills and explore aspects of American culture
· Accent correction and advanced aural comprehension activities
· Presentation skills
· Weekly guest lecturers speak on aspects of American history and society
· Writing of expository prose
· Discussions on and Readings of American character and ideas that have influenced American thinking and attitudes
Level 90 (High Advanced II): For those who are already very fluent in English, with a TOEFL score of at least 600 (or the equivalent) and high advanced writing skills. Note: Students must TEST INTO this level. Students who complete level 55 are not automatically placed into this class. This level is offered only in sessions when there are enough qualified students to make a class.
· Discussions of readings and current issues, debates, and presentations
· Writing of long essays and research papers
· Readings of essays, magazine and newspaper articles, short stories, and plays
· Weekly guest lecturers speak on aspects of American history and society
CLASS SIZE
Average of 15 students
CLASS HOURS
42 class hours per week
COURSE LENGTH
Six weeks plus orientation and registration
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE CONTENT
All students are required to take a Structure of English class, an Oral Communication Skills class, an Idioms and Pronunciation Skills for Successful Communication class, a Cultural Discussion and Projects class, a Speaking and Listening Skills class, a TOEFL Listening practice, and Informal Conversation Group.
In the Structure of English class, students study English grammar and practice it in both speaking and writing. A variety of activities allows students to increase their knowledge and use of increasingly complex grammar structures. Writing skills are taught, from basic sentence structures and paragraphs in the lower levels to short essays and the organization of expository writing in the advanced levels. This class meets 5 ¾ hours per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The Oral Communication Skills class focuses on listening, speaking, and pronunciation skills. Students increase their vocabulary, including idioms, by reading and speaking about American culture and the cultures of other countries. Activities such as small group discussions, oral presentations, and videotapes increase the students’ fluency in English. Students are also required to attend either a lecture (for higher level students) or an American Songs class (for lower level students) on Wednesday afternoons. This class meets 5 ¾ hours per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Idioms and Pronunciation Skills for Successful Communication (offered at all levels): This class helps students improve their speaking skills through the acquistion of a variety of useful idioms and expressions. Students also improve their pronunciation skills by learning the English sound system, including stress and intonation patterns. Class activities include dialogue practice, role playing, and student presentations. This class meets 5 ¾ hours per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The Cultural Discussion and Projects class provides additional opportunities for conversation practice and discussion of topics in American Studies. Students debate current topics, create their own role plays, etc. Reading assignments for this course focus on American Studies and cross-cultural learning. One to two times per week, students go outside the classroom to have direct contact with the Bay Area community, including the campus, neighborhoods, and museums. By the end of the course, each student is expected to produce a project that demonstrates his or her increased understanding of American culture and improved English fluency. This class meets 4 hours per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Speaking and Listening Skills class is designed for students who still need practice in idiomatic spoken English. In this course participants improve their listening and conversation skills, pronunciation, and knowledge of common American idioms. Through practice and discussion of daily situations, students learn word usage and stress patterns that help them speak English more naturally.
TOEFL listening practice sessions provides practice for the listening section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Students also practice taking the Listening section and learn common idioms and expressions used in the TOEFL. The class includes "tricks" and techniques to improve TOEFL scores if needed. It is offered Mondays at 4:30pm to give students extra practice on listening.
The Informal Conversation Group is designed to allow the students a chance to talk with an American student in a relaxed and supportive environment, and to participate in enjoyable after-class activities with the Conversation Group Leader (CGL). The atmosphere of these meetings is open and friendly. The CGL is a combination of companion, counselor, and informal language and cultural informant.
ELECTIVE CLASSES
In addition to the classes above, each student takes two elective classes. These concentrate on a single skill or area of interest. The elective classes allow students to work on individual weaknesses or study a subject of particular interest. Each elective class meets four hours per week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Note: Not every elective class is offered every session and class availability depends on enrollment numbers.
English through Film (for intermediate and advanced levels): The dynamism of film is used to develop better listening comprehension, to increase vocabulary, to improve oral and written expression, and to heighten understanding of Americans and their culture.
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Appreciating Literature (for advanced levels): This class is for students who enjoy reading interesting literature with the aim of improving reading comprehension, discussion, and vocabulary at an advanced level. Students read and discuss unedited stories by famous English-speaking authors such as Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Ann Tyler, and Nadine Gordimer. At the end of the session students read and analyze a complete play. It is not necessary to have a background in literature to participate.
Communication Skills: American Studies (for intermediate and advanced levels--offered in Fall A and Spring A only): By reading short passages and pieces of literature, viewing film clips, talking with Americans, and discussing, students become better-informed evaluators of what it means to be American. Students improve their communication and listening skills, and increase their vocabulary.
Communication Skills: International Issues (for intermediate and advanced levels--offered in Fall B and Spring B only): Students choose topics of concern to themselves and their countries, such as cultural differences, American lifestyles, and international current events. Daily newspapers and magazine articles are used to supplement discussion. Students practice listening, reading, and communication skills.
Communication Skills: Women's Issues (for advanced levels--offered in Fall B and Spring B only): Students increase their reading and vocabulary skills by reading newspaper and magazine articles and short stories about and by women. Speaking and listening skills are developed by discussions focusing on U.S. and international issues of importance to women.
English for Business (for intermediate and advanced levels): Students develop business vocabulary by reading and discussing articles from business journals, textbooks, and newspapers. They take part in negotiation practice and meeting simulations based on case studies like those used in M.B.A. programs. Students improve their communication, listening, and reading skills.
English for Law (for advanced levels): This class is for students interested in law, politics, business, and American culture. Students learn important legal vocabulary and practice their English skills through readings, videos, and discussions about American business law, contracts, torts, and criminal law and by comparing American legal practices with those of other countries.
English for Science and Technology (for advanced levels—offered in Fall A and Spring A only): Students expand their scientific and technological vocabulary, practice reading the latest articles in the field, and develop their abilities to discuss and write about scientific phenomena and technological innovations.
GMAT Preparation (for high advanced levels--offered in Fall B and Spring B only): This class prepares the international student for the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). It includes an introduction to the verbal, quantitative, and writing assessment sections of the GMAT, an orientation to question types, proven strategies in test taking, and practice tests with answers and explanations.
Idioms through Dialogues and the Media (for advanced levels): In this class, students learn useful idioms that are very common on TV, in the movies, in cartoons, in advertisements, and in typical conversation. Students practice dialogues, using the correct stress and intonation, create their own dialogues using the idioms learned in class, and watch video clips to see how the idioms have been used. Students also see how idioms are used to attract attention and create humor in the media.
Reading and Vocabulary Development and Discussion (offered at all levels): Short readings lead to lively discussions using newly learned vocabulary. Students increase their vocabulary, improve their reading comprehension, and practice their speaking and listening skills.
TOEFL Structure (for intermediate and advanced levels): This class provides grammar instruction and practice for the structure section (part 2) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. In-class activities include exercises on specific grammar problems frequently found on the TOEFL, practice taking the test, and techniques for improving scores on the Structure section. Homework assignments are given to help students more quickly improve test scores.
Writing (for high intermediate and advanced levels): Students in intermediate levels practice writing skills, grammar, and vocabulary by writing paragraphs and short compositions on a variety of topics. Students in higher levels study forms of expository writing required by American universities and practice the skills necessary for those forms. There is practice of in-class writing and study of published writing and typical university composition requirements.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Individual advising appointments are held on Tuesdays for each student. The advisor will review the student’s weekly progress and discuss the student’s individual language learning needs.
Weekly lectures are part of the required program of students at the higher levels. Lectures on a variety of topics are given by professors from the University of California and other experts in their fields.
A Video of the Week is shown at 5pm on Fridays for students who want extra listening comprehension practice or end-of-the-week entertainment.
A free Institutional TOEFL test is offered to ELP students at the end of each session.
LEARNING CENTER and REQUIRED READING
Students are required to attend the Learning Center for at least one hour each week. The Learning Center is the English Language Program’s library, study hall, and listening laboratory. It has a reading room with a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers; a listening laboratory with tape recorders and videocassette players; and quiet study rooms in which students can do their homework. Instructors are available to give students individual help with conversation, reading, listening, grammar, and TOEFL preparation. The Learning Center is open Mondays through Fridays; hours vary from session to session.
In addition to their classes, all students are required to read one book in English outside of classes. These books are divided by levels and are available in the Learning Center. After reading the book, the student is asked a question about it when returning the book to the Learning Center. The student then receives a slip of paper stating that he/she has read a book. The slip of paper needs to be turned in to the Structure teacher.
COMPUTER LAB
The Computer Lab is located in Karpe Hall. It may be used by students on a drop-in basis. Students can do research on the Internet, type their assignments, or send e-mail to friends and family. Instructors sometimes reserve the Computer Lab for class use, but it is generally open from 9am – 5pm Mondays through Fridays.
PROFICIENCY REPORTS AND GRADES
There are two measurements of a student's achievement: proficiency and performance. Proficiency refers to one's level of English language skill; performance refers to one's diligence in doing assignments and participation and performance in class. Proficiency and performance evaluations do not necessarily correspond.
Proficiency Evaluations: The English language proficiency of each student is measured by standard tests (Michigan placement test at the beginning of each session and TOEFL at the end) and by instructors’ evaluations. Instructors use the CIEP English Language Proficiency Chart and give each student a numbered evaluation for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Aural Comprehension.
Performance Evaluations: GRADES. Instructors also evaluate each student's performance with a letter grade corresponding to the following: