English as a Second Language

Certificate

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This certificate provides students whose first language is not English with an opportunity to develop proficiency in English at an advanced Standard American English level. The program is designed for students who plan to continue in another college degree or certificate program, supplement an advanced degree from another country, or function In an English-speaking workplace, either in the United States or internationally.

English skills of students entering the program will be evaluated for appropriate placement. Once begun, movement through courses is dependent upon successful completion of courses level by level and the satisfaction of prerequisites. Students who wish additional study may matriculate into a degree or additional certificate program once they have successfully completed required Level 4 Advanced ESL courses. In this way, students may complete the ESL Certificate while beginning coursework in their majors.

Goal 1 To provide students an opportunity to obtain an official certification of high-level English language skills.

  • Graduates obtain the certificate and use the certificate as evidence of proficiency in English for employers or academic program admissions.

Goal 2 To prepare non-native English speakers to successfully communicate in educational and/or career settings.

  • Students will communicate information and ideas in written form, using correct structure, grammar, spelling, and organization.
  • Students will organize and present ideas in language appropriate to the situation and understandable to the audience.
  • Students will read and comprehend appropriate reading material.
  • Students will understand spoken English in everyday situations in and out of academe.

Goal 3 To prepare students to be successful in college-level courses.

  • ESL students will successfully complete EN101/EN105 or EN110.

Goal 4 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy.

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Gainful Employment - follow the link below for gainful employment information.

https://www.mvcc.edu/institutional-effectiveness/gainful-employment/gainful-employment-disclosures.php

Total Credit Hours: 29 - 30

Plan of Study:

This course prepares advanced non-native English-speaking students for academic reading at the level necessary for college coursework. It focuses on developing vocabulary and strengthening interpretive reading and critical thinking skills as well as also introducing library search strategies. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL105 ESL 3: Intermediate Reading, or an appropriate placement test result.

This courses introduces non-native English speakers to the writing of well-organized and well-developed essays. It focuses on form and content, improving the clarity and sophistication of written expression in English. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL106 ESL 3: Intermediate Composition, or appropriate placement test result.

This course prepares non-native English speakers to use grammar for effective written and oral communication in academic settings. Topics include advanced verb tenses, relative clauses, and conditionals. Students apply grammar concepts in speaking and writing activities. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL107 ESL 3: Intermediate Grammar or an appropriate placement test result

This course prepares students to understand, benefit from, and succeed in college level coursework requiring advanced English comprehension, speaking and note-taking skills. The course focuses on live, audio-taped and/or video-taped lectures on content area topics from which the students practice note-taking skills, oral and written summaries and paraphrases, and discussions of content. The course also includes oral reports and group discussions. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" SL108 ESL 3: Intermediate Listening and Speaking, or an appropriate placement test result.

This course is equivalent to EN101 English 1: Composition requirement for non-native English speakers. It focuses on self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive writing. Emphasis is placed on the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required both in academic settings and in a variety of professions and occupations in American culture. Patterns of organization and development, communicative grammar and syntax, and the significant acquisition of vocabulary and idiom are stressed. Prerequisite: An appropriate placement test result, or successful completion of SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition.

EN101 English 1: Composition C-3 Cr-3

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition.

This course teaches non-native English speakers the fundamentals of American English pronunciation. Emphasis is placed on the pronunciation of language in real speaking contexts to improve oral comprehensibility of speech through intensive practice of stress, rhythm, and intonation. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL102 ESL 2: Beginning English Skills 2, or an appropriate placement test result.

This course provides non-native English speakers instruction and practice in the use of advanced academic English grammar structures. Coursework helps students to assess their own knowledge of English grammar, improve accuracy, and acquire editing and refining skills. Emphasis is placed on methods needed to identify and apply complex grammar structures and write fluid, cohesive ideas on academic topics using advanced grammar.

Upon completion of the level 4 ESL components of the Certificate, students should take AA111 Keyboarding - Basic or choose an entry level course required in another certificate or program - See advisor.

Upon completion of the level 4 ESL components of the Certificate, students should take PS101 American National Government or choose an entry level course required in another certificate or program or See advisor.

For students intending to complete an A.O.S degree program

This course prepares advanced non-native English-speaking students for academic reading at the level necessary for college coursework. It focuses on developing vocabulary and strengthening interpretive reading and critical thinking skills as well as also introducing library search strategies. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL105 ESL 3: Intermediate Reading, or an appropriate placement test result.

This courses introduces non-native English speakers to the writing of well-organized and well-developed essays. It focuses on form and content, improving the clarity and sophistication of written expression in English. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL106 ESL 3: Intermediate Composition, or appropriate placement test result.

This course prepares non-native English speakers to use grammar for effective written and oral communication in academic settings. Topics include advanced verb tenses, relative clauses, and conditionals. Students apply grammar concepts in speaking and writing activities. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL107 ESL 3: Intermediate Grammar or an appropriate placement test result

This course prepares students to understand, benefit from, and succeed in college level coursework requiring advanced English comprehension, speaking and note-taking skills. The course focuses on live, audio-taped and/or video-taped lectures on content area topics from which the students practice note-taking skills, oral and written summaries and paraphrases, and discussions of content. The course also includes oral reports and group discussions. Students must earn a minimum grade of "C" or better to pass the course. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" SL108 ESL 3: Intermediate Listening and Speaking, or an appropriate placement test result.

This course teaches non-native English speakers the fundamentals of American English pronunciation. Emphasis is placed on the pronunciation of language in real speaking contexts to improve oral comprehensibility of speech through intensive practice of stress, rhythm, and intonation. Prerequisite: A minimum grade of "C" in SL102 ESL 2: Beginning English Skills 2, or an appropriate placement test result.

This course covers the effective oral and written contexts of occupational communications. It includes practice in oral presentations, business letters, resumes, memos, instructional materials and reports, and visual aids. It is designed specifically for A.O.S. degree programs. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition.

Upon completion of the level 4 ESL components of the Certificate, students should take PS101 American National Government or choose an entry level course required in another certificate or program or See advisor.

Upon completion of the level 4 ESL components of the Certificate, students should take AA111 Keyboarding - Basic or choose an entry level course required in another certificate or program - See advisor.

(a) English Electives include: EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages OR EN101 English 1: Composition

(b) Language Electives include: SL120 Pronunciation in Practice OR SL124 Applied Grammar.

(c) Upon completion of the level 4 ESL components of the Certificate, students should take AA111 Keyboarding - Basic or choose an entry level course required in another certificate or program - See advisor.