Fundamentals of English (ELP 009)
The purpose of this class is to prepare first-time students of English to enter Level 1 of BIR’s
Introductory English Language Program. Students learn basic English vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading,
writing, and grammar. By the end of the term, students are able to communicate in the simple present and
present continuous tenses. Students also know the foundations of English such as the alphabet and numbers
and are able to exchange basic information. At the end of the module students should be able to enter Level 1.
Prerequisite: Students placed in this module are novice English speakers who score below
190 on the CASAS scale
Beginning Listening and Speaking (ELP 010)
In this module students learn how to have simple conversations for everyday situations at home, school, and
community. By the end of the term, students are able to exchange basic information about food, sports, places,
music, movies, schedules, health, hobbies, and shopping. Students learn basic vocabulary words and learn to
communicate in the simple present, present continuous and simple past tenses. Students learn through listening,
speaking, reading, and writing activities. In class students often work in pairs and small groups.
Prerequisite: Students placed in this module have minimal skills in written and spoken English. Students score 190 to 206 on the CASAS scale or complete ELP 009
Beginning Reading (ELP 011)
This module focuses on developing reading strategies such as identifying cause and effect, finding details, putting events in order,
making inferences, and understanding the topic. By the end of the course, students become more confident
reading and responding to short passages of 250-350 words. Students also learn basic vocabulary and become
familiar with the simple present, present continuous and simple past tenses. Students often work in pairs
and small groups. In addition to reading, students participate in short listening, speaking and writing
activities.
Prerequisite: Students placed in this module have minimal skills in written and spoken
English. Students score 190 to 206 on the CASAS scale or complete ELP 009
Beginning Writing (ELP 012)
The goal of ELP 012 is to provide students with basic instruction in both the writing process and the
production of grammatically correct written sentences. Students learn to write simple sentences about
themselves and their families as well as other contexts including education, recreation, and the workplace.
Students who successfully complete the module are able to write brief descriptions and narratives about
familiar contexts and fill out simple forms. Students work individually moving from more restricted to less
restricted writing forms. Pair work and group work are employed to introduce students to the concept of peer
editing.
Prerequisite: Students placed in this module have minimal skills in written and spoken English. Students score 190 to 206 on the CASAS scale or complete ELP 009
Intermediate Listening and Speaking (ELP 020)
The purpose of this module is to enable students to improve their conversational skills in everyday
situations. Students learn conversation strategies and acquire vocabulary and grammar proficiency through
listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Students often work in pairs and small group settings.
By the end of the term, students are able to carry on casual conversations on topics such as classroom habits,
vacation activities, information sources, spending habits, personal characteristics, travel preferences,
and work.
Prerequisite: Completion of ELP 010, 011, or 012 or CASAS placement score of 209 to 219
Intermediate Reading (ELP 021)
The goal of this module is to provide students with intermediate ESL reading instruction. Students focus on
meaning by learning to use skills such as previewing and predicting to make connection to passages before
beginning to read. Students learn to: identify facts, pick out main ideas, use context clues to guess the
meaning of new vocabulary, take notes, and summarize information from reading passages. Students who
successfully complete the module are able to understand intermediate texts from a range of contexts drawn
from everyday experience to academic subjects.
Prerequisite: Completion of ELP 010, 011, or 012; or CASAS placement score of 209 to 219
Intermediate Writing (ELP 022)
The purpose of ELP 022 is to provide students with intermediate instruction in both the writing process
and the production of structurally sound paragraphs. Students learn to write simple, compound, and complex
sentences in order to create coherent and cohesive paragraphs. A variety of forms are taught at this level
and students who successfully complete the course are able to write paragraphs for giving directions, create
letters and journal entries, and take basic notes. Pair work and group work are employed to continue students’
development in the process of peer editing.
Prerequisite: Completion of ELP 010, 011, or 012; or CASAS placement score of 209 to 219
|