At CATS Academy Boston, we recognize that every student arrives with a unique level of English proficiency. That is why our highly experienced ESL teachers provide personalized language support tailored to each student’s needs. With a proven track record of helping international students strengthen their English skills and build confidence, our faculty ensure students are well prepared to thrive both academically and socially. From presenting at national competitions to performing on stage, students have countless opportunities to practice and develop their English every day.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 2 course is specifically designed for international students who are at a HIGH BEGINNING comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US/UK university/college, where English is the medium of instruction. Using the latest technology, the students focus on learning English for communication purposes including vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading, and listening comprehension, writing, and speaking.
Students practice new vocabulary while interacting in class or working on individual or group research projects. The course uses the textbook “American English File” (Listening and Speaking and Reading and Writing) with the on-line component by Oxford University Press. It is supplemented by original streaming news, authentic audio and video resources, and publications that relate to topics covered in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide. There is required reading, listening, and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies.
To take this course, international students will be considered following their English language placement test results.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 3 course is specifically designed for international students who are at an INTERMEDIATE comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US/UK university/college where English is the medium of instruction. It focuses on improving and further developing students’ ability in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), with the emphasis on grammar, reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension skills, academic English vocabulary, researching, and applying those skills to students’ own subjects.
Students work on understanding spoken and written English and on developing the ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students learn vocabulary and presentation skills, increase writing and thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing texts. They work on grammar and academic vocabulary development. In addition, the course includes extended work on academic English, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions.
There is required reading and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies. The course is built on the Focus on Grammar (FOG) Level 3 Student Book textbook (Pearson) and an on-line application, Membean, to address students’ individual learning needs in expanding their vocabulary. It prepares students for future TOEFL examination and is based on using the latest technology. It may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics covered in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide. There is required reading and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies.
To take this course, existing students must have successfully completed the English for Communication course at CATS Academy Boston. New international students will be considered following their English Grammar placement test results.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 4 course is specifically designed for international students who are at the HIGH INTERMEDIATE comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US/UK university/college where English is the medium of instruction. It helps students to build confidence in the proper use of academic English grammar, enrich their academic English vocabulary, and practice the command of academic English. While the main focus of the ESL Level 4 course is to work on English grammar and vocabulary, the course is also aimed at further developing and mastering students’ advanced skills in English for Academic Purposes (EAP): writing, reading, speaking, listening comprehension, researching, and applying those skills to the students’ own subjects.
Students continue working on understanding spoken and written English and the ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students acquire more sophisticated academic English vocabulary and presentation skills, improve writing and thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing complex texts. In addition, the course prepares for the TOEFL examination, includes extended work on academic English and TOEFL vocabulary, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions.
There is required reading and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on testing-taking strategies. The course is built on Focus on Grammar (FOG) Level 4 with My English Lab textbook (Pearson) and an on-line application, Membean, to address students’ individual learning needs in mastering their vocabulary and NoRedInk to improve grammar use. It further prepares students for future TOEFL examination and may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide.
To take this course, students must have achieved ESL Level 4 using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of ESL Level 3 course at CATS.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 5 course is specifically designed for international students who are at an ADVANCED comprehension level of the English language and who plan in the future to continue with their education in a university or college where English is the medium of instruction. It helps students to build confidence in academic writing and master the command of academic English.
While the focus of the ESL Level 5 course is mastering academic writing using proper English grammar along with academic English vocabulary, the course is also aimed at developing and enhancing other skills in English for Academic Purposes (EAP): writing, reading, speaking, listening comprehension, researching skills, and applying those skills to students’ own subjects. Students master their understanding of spoken and written English and the ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students enrich their academic vocabulary and presentation skills, increase critical thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing complex texts. In addition, the course prepares for the TOEFL examination including extended work on academic English and TOEFL vocabulary, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions.
There is required reading and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies. The course is built on the “Longman Academic Writing Series” Level 5 textbook (Pearson) and on-line applications, Membean to address students’ individual learning needs in mastering their vocabulary and NoRedInk to improve grammar use. The course prepares students for future TOEFL examination and may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide. There is required reading and writing homework, including work on-line, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies.
To take this course, students must have achieved ESL Level 5 using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of ESL Level 4 course at CATS.
*Please note, course offerings are subject to change and will be offered depending on student interest.
