The English as a Second Language (ESL) English for Communication (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 work in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading and listening comprehension, writing, and speaking. The course introduces students to American idiomatic expressions and helps them understand spelling rules. Students are introduced to new vocabulary and practice using new vocabulary in writing and speaking, while interacting in the class or working on individual or group research projects. The course also helps students to learn about and better understand American culture. The course is built on Pathways 1: Listening and Speaking and Pathways 1: Reading and Writing with an on-line workbook (Cengage). The course is based on using the latest technology and 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. Prerequisites: Test results for English for Communication (Level 2) using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of CATS Extra course at CATS.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) English for Grammer (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 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 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. Prerequisites: Test results for English for Grammer using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of the English for Communication course at CATS.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Academic English (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 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. Prerequisites: Test results fo Academic English (Level 4) using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of English Grammar course at CATS.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Writing and Research (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 main focus of theWriting and Research 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 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 Elements of Success 4 (Grammar for Writing) textbook (Oxford University Press) 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. Prerequisites: Test results for Writing and Research using a secure placement test administered by CATS Academy Boston (new students only) or successful completion of Academic English course at CATS.