LISTENING MODULE

The Listening Module is the first module in the Intensive English Program because the skill of listening is considered the critical foundation of acquiring the other language skills of reading, writing, and speaking. The Listening Module, as all other modules, is based on a theory of language learning which relies greatly on "comprehensible input." The Listening Module teacher gives students as much comprehensible language input as possible by using slow speech, words the students know, body language, objects, pictures and videos. Once students achieve a score of 60% on the Focal Skills Listening Assessment they may then progress to the next module.

READING MODULE

The Reading Module is the second module in the Intensive English Program. Students read large quantities of authentic texts, explore vocabulary, practice particular reading skills, and discuss various topics they read about. Once students achieve a score of 70% on the Focal Skills Reading Assessment they may progress to the next module.

WRITING MODULE

The Writing Module is the third module in the Intensive English Program. It comes after the Reading Module because good, reading skills serve as a foundation for improving writing. Students are able to read and understand the teacher's feedback and recognize many of the things the teacher is showing in the feedback. Also, reading can serve as a stimulus for writing. Because students' reading is more advanced than their writing, they have acquired latent writing ability that can be sharpened through writing experience. Student write a large amount every day to practice and automate the production of the common, high-frequency elements of written English that they have acquired. This will make future writing tasks easier because they won't have to think consciously about every detail. The Writing Module, as all other modules, is based on the theory of language learning which relies greatly on "comprehensible input." The Writing Module teacher gives students as much comprehensible language input as possible with readings and focused rewrites. Once students achieve a score of 80% on the Focal Skills Writing Assessment they may then progress to the next module.

IMMERSION MODULE

The Immersion Module is the fourth and final module in the Intensive English Program. Students incorporate the use of all language skills in this course and carry out activities designed to prepare them for college success. They read numerous magazine and newspaper articles, essays, and textbook excerpts to prepare them for the large amount of reading required in college classes. Writing activities include journal writings, compositions, essays, reports, and a research paper. Speaking activities include oral summaries of articles, news reports, interviews, group discussions, and formal speech-giving. These activities are organized around one or more mini-courses dealing with appropriate themes and topics. The Accuplacer is administered pre and post Immersion to measure student progress. College readiness is determined by the results of this test and instructor assessment of student work.