OAE 590: Oral Academic English (Intermediate)

The purpose of this course is to do intensive work in aural and oral language skills. Emphasis is on the segmental level: vowel/consonant work, syllable work and word stress as well as rhythm on the sentence level. Summarizing and questioning are practiced with work on learning styles. Students' awareness of American teaching and cultural patterns are stressed. Observing American professors and students in class is encouraged. A student will receive a diagnostic assessment of her/his language segmental and suprasegmental difficulties from the instructor and will be expected to work on improvement in these speech areas both in the classroom and independently in the language laboratories. Successful completion (A- or higher) of the course leads to OAE 594; B+ or below leads to OAE 592. Prerequisite: IELTS score of 5-5.5 or iBT Speak score of 15-17

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

OAE 592: Oral Academic English (High Intermediate)

The emphasis of this course is threefold: developing language skills, teaching skills and cultural awareness. Language skills will focus on sentence stress, phrasing, linking and pausing with field specific language practice. Teaching skills stressed include questioning techniques for discussion and assessment, leading effective discussions and assessing student learning. The cultural awareness focuses on idioms, American cultural values and norms as well as non-verbal communication. Successful completion of this course (B or higher) leads to OAE 594. Prerequisites: IELTS score of 6.0 or iBT Speak score of 18-20.

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

OAE 594: Oral Academic English (Advanced)

This course further develops language skills at the supra segmental level, teaching skills, cultural awareness and presentation skills. Intonation is taught with self-monitoring strategies. The teaching skills examine strategies for introducing yourself, your syllabus, explaining a visual, defining terms, giving presentations and giving successful lectures. Analysis of presentations is given to each student throughout the semester. Cultural awareness is centered on some assumptions affecting teaching in the American classroom. Success completion of this course (a B or better) clears the student from the oral/aural ESL requirements. Prerequisites: IELTS score of 6.5 or iBT Speak score of 21-22)

3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)