ESL course descriptions

English as a second language (ESL) faculty :

Josephine Yung, vice president
Marco Tulluck, director of ESL programs
Michael Shohan, ESL instructor
Blaine Snow, ESL instructor
Ryan Wachter, ESL instructor
Ellin Beer, ESL instructor
Eric Durbin, ESL instructor
Joe Burr, ESL instructor

ESL class Saint Martin’s University's English as a second language (ESL) courses are designed primarily for international students to improve English language skills for the purpose of matriculating into Saint Martin’s University. We also serve exchange students by providing an opportunity for them to improve their English language skills and get a taste of American culture. The program enhances the university community by bringing an international presence to campus through students that come to study ESL. The ESL curriculum is divided into two course subtypes:

English language skills
Culture-based content

ESL classes are divided according to four levels:

Level 1 (courses 020-039)
Level 2 (courses 040-059)
Level 3 (courses 060-079)
Level 4 (courses 080-099)

ESL student Levels 1, 2, and 3 will generally be offered both fall and spring semesters. Level 4 may or may not be offered, depending on enrollment. No required TOEFL score is necessary for entry into the program, however, it does help with accurate placement of the student if it is available. TOEFL exams are offered twice at the beginning and end of each semester.

Matriculating ESL students in level four, with a TOEFL score over 480, may take a combination of ESL and regular undergraduate courses. Students with scores of 525 on the institutional paper- based TOEFL and above, are eligible for full-time undergraduate study at Saint Martin’s. Students must apply for undergraduate admissions through the Office of Admissions at Saint Martin's University.

English as a second language (ESL) courses:

ESL 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090
Grammar/writing
Covers the full sequence of English grammar structures and parts of speech through specific writing assignments and interactive exercises.

ESL 025, 035
Grammar
Intensive practice in mastering basic grammar through grammar exercises and contextualized writing assignments.

ESL 028, 048, 068, 088
American history
Overview and survey of North American and U.S. history for the purpose of understanding American attitudes, values, politics and people.

ESL 038, 058, 078, 098
History of the Americas
Overview and survey of North, Central and/or South American history for the purpose of understanding the United States in its geographical, economic, social, and political context.

ESL 021, 041, 061, 081
Reading skills
Focuses on foundational reading skills such as reading for the main idea, skimming, summarizing and anticipating the topic using level-appropriate stories, essays, poems and biographies.

ESL 031, 051, 071, 091
English/American literature
Offers a general introduction to American literature, focusing on understanding American cultures and values through text analysis, discussion, and writing assignments.

ESL 024, 044, 064, 084
American culture
General survey of the broad diversity of American mainstream and minority cultures through the study of American personalities, music, film, sport, art, science, business, geography, politics, relationships, families, marriage, lifestyles and customs. Explores the diversity of American values, beliefs, feelings and cultural assumptions.

ESL 034, 054, 074, 094
Cultures of America
General survey of the diverse cultures present in the United States, including cultures based on nationality, ethnicity, race, sexuality, social and economic classes. The class will study the ways these cultures influence and affect US society and the ways that these cultures have developed over time.

ESL 027, 037
Pronunciation
Focuses on listening and speech challenges that are particular to the students’ native languages through a variety of intensive speech exercises and pronunciation games.

ESL 022, 042, 062, 082
Conversation skills
Focuses on the practice of spoken English and conversational skills in a relaxed and open context. Emphasis is on building speaking confidence/listening comprehension and on skills that fit various American conversational contexts.

ESL 032, 052
Listening/speaking
Focuses on listening and speaking skills by exposing students to a variety of spoken English, including different accents, intonation, and paces of speech so that students can develop their ability to better understand spoken English. Students will also learn and practice ways to improve their speech in English, including work on pronunciation, intonation, and their ability to orally present information and ideas to large and small groups.

ESL 072, 092
Contemporary issues
Focuses on the practice of spoken English and conversational skills in the study of current domestic and international social, economic, environmental and political issues.

ESL 026, 046, 066, 086
International studies
Introductory comparison of international cultures through a general survey of current global and international economic, political, social and environmental issues.

ESL 036, 056, 076, 096
World cultures
Covers intercultural communication in an international context by exploring differences not only between national cultures such as Korean, Japanese, French and Mexican, but also between subcultures such as race, gender, religion, language, social class, age and sexual orientation.

ESL 023, 043
Writing skills
Focuses on building foundational writing skills in English such as paragraph forms, punctuation, spelling and grammar.

ESL 063, 083
College writing
Designed for international students who are planning to matriculate or immigrant students needing writing improvement. Focuses on writing reports, essays, journals, speeches and research papers, as well as on using narration, description, observing and reporting, profiling and exposition.

ESL 033, 053, 073, 093
Writing workshop
A class where international students put their creative energy together into creating, writing, designing and producing a writing project, such as a newspaper, poetry display, a short story exhibition, or other related projects.

ESL 047, 077
English in music and film
Explores the American vernacular and popular culture through the study of American music styles and lyrics and film.

ESL 057, 067
American music history
Explores American history as it relates to music and American music as it has both reflected and influenced history.

ESL 045, 055, 065, 075, 085, 095
TOEFL skills and strategy
Covers successful test-taking strategies and strengthens skills through intensive work in all four sections of the next generation TOEFL test: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

ESL 069, 079, 089, 099
College skills
This course focuses on preparing advanced English language students to enter U.S. university level courses effectively by emphasizing the importance of class participation, discussion and critical thinking. It will utilize material comparable to that found in general education required courses like religious studies, literature, philosophy and history. The course will cover note-taking skills as well as strategies for being a successful, balanced student.

The following ESL foreign language courses are offered to ESL students from Reitaku university:

ESL 016a ESL 017a ESL Chinese I ESL Chinese II

ESL 016b ESL 017b ESL Spanish I ESL Spanish II

ESL 016c ESL 017c ESL French I ESL French II

ESL 016d ESL 017d ESL Korean I ESL Korean II

ESL 016e ESL 017e ESL German I ESL German II

Three four-week summer sessions are also available for students to enroll in. The following courses are usually offered but are subject to change.

ESL 001, 006, 011 grammar/writing

ESL 002, 007, 012 ESL reading

ESL 003,008, ESL 013 conversation

ESL 004, 009, 014 American culture

ESL 005, 010, 015 international studies