Note: ESL volunteer tutors -- If you are interested in becoming an ESL volunteer tutor or receiving the services of one, see the College and Career Preparation section.
English language proficiency requirements Students registering in post-secondary level courses (numbered 100 to 499) will be required to meet the English language entrance proficiency requirements. Students in ELS or the University Foundations programs can register in those courses identified in the University Foundations program with lower levels of language proficiency. |
Please note that not all courses are offered every semester.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): A grade of C- or better in ESL WG44, ESL R40, ESL V43, and ESL S46; or ESL assessment of 50 level or above in all skill areas
This course focuses on basic communication in a business environment. ESL students will be introduced to a wide variety of written and oral communication tasks, including writing short business letters, faxes, memos, and emails. Case studies and role playing will teach students how to act and speak in various business situations. By the end of the course, ESL students will have improved their English skills and will have gained a basic understanding of North American-style business correspondence and face-to-face communication.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course is for all new international students in their first semester. It is designed to orient students to Canadian culture and the Canadian educational milieu, to encourage intercultural communication, and to support cultural adjustment. If space is available, other students may also register.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL S46 and (ESL RV48 or ESL R40)
A basic introduction to computer use, terminology and concepts, including keyboarding, Windows, word processing, the Internet, e-mail and other forms of online communications for ESL students who have little or no experience with computers. This course is designed for ESL students who need computer basics for further language training through ESL online courses or ESL courses which incorporate computer-aided instruction.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL CB50 or instructor permission
This course focuses on using computers in a business environment. Students will be introduced to a wide range of computer applications including spreadsheet programs, data base management, graphics for business presentations, word processing for professional business documents and internet and e-mail communication. By the end of the course, students will have a good basic understanding of applications used in business and office environments.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL CB60 or instructor permission
This course focuses on language, terminology, and concepts needed for studies in Computer Information Systems and other computer-related courses and programs. Students will develop a basic understanding of computer hardware, software for systems and applications, components of the system unit, and storage devices, as well as operating systems and utility programs.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by interview test showing that a student has a basic grasp of the English alphabet, phonics, and sentence structure.
This course is for students of all ESL levels, from beginning to advanced. Each student will be placed on an individualized study program based on a needs assessment done through testing and consultation with the instructor. Students will develop their English language skills through a variety of methods including computer based activities, interactive classroom activities, and individual study. It is not necessary for students to be familiar with computers prior to taking this course; however, as course work will include computer activities, students who are not familiar with computer use will be taught the basic computer functions they will need to know to complete course activities.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL placement test showing that a student has a basic grasp of the English alphabet, phonics and sentence structure
Students will study the spelling, phonics, grammatical class, and meaning of 400 basic English words through the use of computer generated software, computer generated activities, and speaking and writing reinforcement activities.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): One of ESL CWE30, S36, RV38 or WG34 or placement by ESL assessment
Students will study the spelling, phonics, grammatical class, and meaning of 400 intermediate-level common English words through the use of computer software, computer-generated activities, and speaking and writing reinforcement activities.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course focuses on using drama and role play to develop English listening and speaking skills. Students will be introduced to various drama-related activities intended to help them become familiar with interactive expectations in a wide variety of English language situations.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL R40 and ESL S46
In this course, students will practice and develop English reading, vocabulary, writing, grammar, listening, and speaking skills through the medium of English language film. Film and film clips will reflect a variety of cultural mores, special issues and developments, and international concerns, both current and historical.
15 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by ESL Interview assessment
This course is intended for students with minimal literacy skills in their own language or for those unfamiliar with the English language alphabet. This intensive course is designed to introduce students to basic-level English vocabulary and structure through listening and speaking. The content provides the basis for instruction of basic reading and writing skills. Pre-literacy skills instruction will be included when necessary.
15 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL IB19 or equivalent, or placement by ESL assessment
This course is intended for students who have completed ESL IB19 or who have the equivalent competence in using English. This intensive course is designed to build on students’ previous learning of basic level English. As much as possible the content focuses on the functions for which English is used in everyday life. The skill areas of listening and speaking are emphasized, but reading and writing play a supportive role. The emphasis is on comprehension and recognition. Successful completion of this course will allow students to take the 30-level ESL courses.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL S76, or placement by ESL assessment
Students in this course will be taught the note-taking skills needed to succeed in college and university courses that have listening/lecture components. The course will expose students to a variety of academic listening situations, both simulated and authentic, and will develop their ability to understand complex language regardless of speed or speaking style. By the end of the course, students will have developed personal, effective note-taking strategies applicable to a variety of academic situations.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by an interview test showing that the student has a basic grasp of the English alphabet, phonics, and sentence structure.
This course is intended for ESL students at all levels of proficiency who are unable to take courses in the ESL core program or who wish to supplement their ESL studies. Students will develop their English speaking, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing skills through a combination of whole class instruction and guided, self-paced activities.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): None
This course focuses on using music to develop English language vocabulary, speaking, listening, and pronunciation skills. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of music-related activities and strategies to improve their ability to communicate orally in English.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL WG34, RV38 (or R30 and V33), and S36 or higher, or placement by ESL assessment
This course is intended for ESL students who would like to improve their English listening, speaking, and pronunciation skills. Students will participate in a variety of activities to become more aware of their own pronunciation, how sounds are made, and sound/spelling relationships. Through active participation, students will work towards improved intelligibility as they focus on vowel sounds, consonant sounds, and consonant clusters in the context of the stress and rhythm of English. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this course prior to taking ESL S46, or at any time during their ESL studies if they are having difficulty with basic English sound production.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL WG44, RV48 (or R40 AND V43), and S46
This course is intended for students who still find it difficult to understand the relationship between English spelling and sound systems. The course will survey the English sounds represented by a given spelling as well as all the possible spellings for a given sound. It will also familiarize students with how word and phrase stress, rhythm, intonation, and reductions in rapid speech cause differences between spoken and written English. Students will also learn how to use dictionary pronunciation keys.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL P45, or all of ESL WG44, RV48 and S46.
This course is intended for those who learned English as an additional language, but who would like to improve their English listening and speaking skills in order to communicate with more confidence. Students will practice syllable recognition, word stress, reductions, rhythm, and intonation, all of which are essential for clear communication. Students will also have an opportunity to work on individual sounds that are problematic for them personally. Pronunciation issues will be addressed from a variety of perspectives. ESL students with pronunciation difficulties are strongly encouraged to complete this course prior to taking ESL S56, S66, or S76.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL R70 and V73, or placement by ESL assessment
This course is designed for students who wish to improve the reading skills (including reading speed) necessary to become successful in academic studies. It will prepare students for the reading that is required in university and college courses. Students will strengthen their study/reading skills: note-taking, outlining, understanding and restating logical structure, integrating ideas from multiple sources, choosing appropriate reading strategies according to purpose and further developing critical reading skills including the evaluation of source reliability.
6 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by ESL assessment
This course is designed for students to learn and practice the skills and vocabulary necessary for increasing basic reading comprehension and speed.
6 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL I39, or both ESL R30 and ESL V33, or ESL RV38, or placement by ESL assessment
This course will focus on reading to recognize main ideas and some details in simplified 2-3 paragraph texts. Students will develop a solid base of general, high-frequency vocabulary.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by ESL assessment
This course is designed to provide students with the basic oral grammar functional phrasing, and pronunciation skills they need to become more confident speakers and listeners in basic, day to day social situations.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL S36, or I 39, or placement by the ESL assessment
This course will help students build the listening and speaking skills necessary for social interactions in a variety of daily and academic situations. Listening comprehension, fluency, and accuracy appropriate to this level will be emphasized in order to communicate in a way that does not impede understanding.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL WG74, R70, V73 and S76, or instructor's permission
This course is intended for students with a good proficiency in English who expect or need to take the TOEFL test. The course will familiarize students with the format, structure, and expectations of the TOEFL. A series of practice tests will enable students to identify their individual problematic areas related to reading, writing, speaking, and listening to English. Student will learn strategies to increase proficiency in these areas as well as strategies to improve performance on tests taken in limited time.
3 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL V73, or placement by ESL assessment
This course is intended for students with a strong general vocabulary base. It familiarizes students with the vocabulary that they can expect to encounter in university and college courses. It also includes studies in independent vocabulary development.
6 credits
Prerequisite(s): Placement by ESL assessment
This course is designed to develop students’ skills at basic written English and prepare them for intermediate academic ESL writing and grammar classes. The course focus is on the basic English grammar used in writing simple sentences. Some reading, vocabulary study, and speaking/listening will be included in the course.
6 credits
Prerequisite(s): ESL I39, WG34, or placement by ESL assessment.
This course reviews basic grammar and simple sentences. It introduce student to compound and basic complex sentence as well as to basic paragraph and forms of development. Students will begin to use a wider variety of editing strategies. Some reading, vocabulary study, and speaking/listening will be included in the course.
Last extracted: October 31, 2018 05:16:05 PM