The skills development courses in academic writing and reading are courses meant to help students develop and sharpen their skills in these two key areas of college study. Whether those students need additional capabilities from an English as a Second Language standpoint or simply as a way to master these vital skills as native speakers of English, this multi-level sequence of courses is aimed at readying students for English 101 and other basic university coursework in the varied disciplines offered by Northeastern Illinois University.
Course Offerings
ELP-099 Developmental Writing, 3 cr. (Does not apply
toward graduation.) This course provides native speakers
of English with intensive work on basic writing skills such as
planning, organizing and revising an essay, and emphasizes
the development of sentence level skills and proofreading
techniques.
ESL-108 Listening and Speaking, 3 cr. (English language
learners.) Practice in the listening and speaking skills used
in American universities, with emphasis on comprehension
of brief academic lectures, presentation of brief reports, and
participation in class discussion.
ESL-112 English Language Workshop I, 3 cr. (English
language learners.) Basic principles of personal essay writing
in English, with emphasis on developing sentence level skills.
ESL-114 English Language Workshop II, 3 cr. (English
language learners.) Introduction to the basic principles used
in writing expository essays based on personal experience,
and intensive work to improve sentence level skills.
ESL-120 English Language Workshop III, 3 cr. (English
language learners.) Practice and instruction in writing expository
essays, with emphasis on paragraph development,
increased fluency in written English, and proofreading skills.
ESL-121 English Grammar Skills, 3 cr. (English language
learners.) Analysis of and practice in selected English
grammatical patterns, with special emphasis on their
academic application. To be taken in conjunction with
ESL-120.
READ-115 Reading for the ESL Student, 3 cr. Designed
to meet the needs of non-native speakers of English who
wish to improve their English reading comprehension. Active
reading of English is promoted through intensive reading,
vocabulary development, conversation and writing. Reading
for meaning is emphasized. Understanding the importance
of intercultural communications and understanding the
relationship between language and culture is developed.
Registration by permit only.
READ-116 Reading for the Advanced ESL Student, 3cr.
Designed to meet the needs of non-native speakers of
English who have advanced English language proficiency
and wish to further develop their reading comprehension.
Advanced reading skills such as interpretation, inference,
critical analysis, evaluation, application, author style and
tone, and technical and literary terminology are emphasized
in order to comprehend more complex literary genres, including
content-specific materials. Registration by permit only.
READ-117 Vocabulary Enrichment, 3 cr. Designed to meet
the needs of students who wish to enhance their vocabulary
to promote success in reading college text and work-related
materials. Strategies for coping with unfamiliar words in text
are emphasized. Registration by permit only.