Language & Culture

Language and Culture Courses

Accent Reduction Part 1

Practice new pronunciations with direct feedback from our professional, speech-language pathologist. As you change pronunciation, learn American formal and informal expressions in a relaxed, workshop-style course setting. Limited to 15 students.

The international speaker of English can greatly improve pronunciation with the assistance of this professional speech-language pathologist. Each student will have the opportunity to practice new pronunciations with direct feedback from the instructor. As students focus on changing pronunciation, they also acquire American formal and informal expressions in a relaxed, workshop-style course setting. The textbook is included, which will be handed out at the first meeting. Limited to 15.

What will be covered:

Recognition of the difference between the targeted American English sounds and error productions
Pronunciation of a number of sounds the American way in isolation, words and sentences
Inclusion of these new productions in oral reading and in your spontaneous speech
Introduction of American formal and informal expressions

After this class, you will be able to:

Recognize the difference between the targeted American English sounds and error productions
Pronounce a number of sounds the American way in isolation, words and sentences
Begin to include these new productions in your spontaneous speech

Accent Reduction Part 2

Expand your knowledge, vocabulary and use of American expressions in areas such as descriptive language, oral explanations, guided discussions, and examining how to reply in conversational situations. Limited to 10. Prerequisite: Accent Reduction: Part 1

Further practice the sounds you learned in Accent Reduction: American English Pronunciation and learn how to incorporate them into your spontaneous speech. Simultaneously expand your knowledge and use of vocabulary and American expressions in areas such as descriptive language, oral explanations, guided discussions, and examining how to reply American-style in various conversational situations. Limited to 10 for an intimate setting to enhance learning potential.

PREREQUISITE: You must complete Accent Reduction Part 1 before taking this course.

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What will be covered:

Learning to produce the target sounds in multi-syllable words through extensive oral reading
Analysis of short video clips for auditory discrimination, humor and vocabulary/American expressions
Oral explanations, conversation, discussion with attention to inclusion of all target sounds

After this class, you will be able to:

Pronounce the target sounds more consistently in both oral reading and in spontaneous speech
Better discriminate discrete words in rapid speech, even when the words are not fully spoken
Expand your knowledge and use of American expressions in areas such as descriptions, explanations, paraphrasing and replies

Au Pair Enrichment ESL Course

40 hours of ESL education including in-class work + independent assignments led by a certified instructor. Designed specifically to help au pairs improve their English skills while learning about American culture/customs. Internet/email access required.

The Au Pair Enrichment ESL Course is designed for au pairs of all language proficiency levels to improve their spoken and written English skills while learning about American culture and customs. The program includes 3 parts: 20 hours in 8 class sessions, 20 hours of instructor-directed study and assignments directly related to in-class topics, and 20 hours of text-guided, independent study over eight weeks following the class sessions.

A certified ESL instructor will provide conversation practice, grammar instruction, and group interaction utilizing an engaging and easy-to-follow ESL text that highlights important topics in American Culture, such as getting around, dining out, handling an emergency, visiting the doctor, and more. Additionally, students will practice reading for comprehension and explore story-telling using well-known American children’s literature, as well as stories from their own cultures.

The additional 20 hours of text-guided independent study will focus on American holiday traditions and customs. For 8 weeks following the classroom session, students will follow an online program of activities and assessments, working at their own pace, studying grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and common usage, listening to audio lessons, and submitting assignments through the online portal. This portion of the course will cumulate in a final exam.

Internet access and knowledge, as well as email use is required for this course.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Practice conversation, grammar, and usage learned during in-class activities and group work
Demonstrate writing proficiency based on feedback provided on weekly writing assignments
Demonstrate reading and listening comprehension
Practice oral presentation skills through preparation and telling of a children’s literature story
Discover, review, and practice vocabulary, idioms, and common language related to traditional American culture, celebrations & holidays

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CLICK HERE FOR 2nd REQUIRED BOOK

CLICK HERE FOR 3rd REQUIRED BOOK

Compelling American Conversations for Non-Native English Speakers

Practice conversational English in the classroom through a series of activities -- game playing, presentations, role playing, and others -- to help with pronunciation, vocabulary, and confidence. Students will practice in pairs and small groups.

Practice conversational English in the classroom through a series of activities—game playing, presentations, role playing, and others—that will help you with your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary, help you to correctly ask questions, and help you speak English more confidently. You’ll also research topics of conversation via social media, and reflect on your fellow students’ own communication styles and habits.

Students will practice in pairs, small groups, and with the class as a whole. Additionally, students will be expected to do approximately 2 hours each week of preparation for the next class session to include outside reading, research, or textbook exercises.

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After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Practice real-world conversations to gain confidence with the English language
Practice vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage to improve comprehension, expand word and phrase bank, and increase fluency
Choose appropriate idioms and phrasal verbs to include in conversations
Practice listening and responding through stories, conversation activities, and class discussions

Improving Writing Impact for Non-Native English Speakers

Explore several different writing formats so you can learn how to write more clearly and use grammar correctly. Participants will practice identifying and correcting grammar errors pertaining to verb tenses and form, sentence structure, and more.

Explore several different writing formats so you can learn how to write more clearly and use grammar correctly. Expand your vocabulary, and practice self-editing. Through classroom activities and well-designed homework assignments, you’ll build your skills, week-by-week, working on writing and grammar activities to meet your needs. Participants will practice identifying and correcting grammar errors pertaining to verb tenses and form, sentence structure, agreement, prepositions, and determiners

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After completing this course, participants will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge of grammar use in writing
Write related sentences to form paragraphs and narratives using the building block of writing
Identify areas of weakness in writing and develop strategies for reducing errors
Demonstrate the ability to self-edit writing material
Practice writing skills through a variety of communicative writing activities

English Refresher

Identify the principles of effective writing, basic mechanics, and correct usage. Via writing and grammar exercises, work to improve grammar and punctuation skills by learning how they work in the context of your own writing and that of professionals.

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Your confidence level will soar as we learn the principles of effective writing, basic mechanics, and correct usage in this class. Through formal instruction, writing and grammar exercises, and group editing, you will improve grammar and punctuation skills by learning how they work in the context of your own writing and that of professionals. Learning how to edit, revise, and proofread will give you such an incredible sense of self assurance about writing that you will wish you had taken this class years ago.

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After this class, you will be able to:

Use your increased knowledge of English grammar
Know the eight parts of grammar
Use improved writing skills
Use improved vocabulary
Use increased reading skills