Students have the option to take one elective course at an additional cost. Elective courses complement the core courses and provide students with the opportunity to focus on a specific skill.
• Each elective course meets 4 hours per week
• Elective courses are multi-level and may include students from other programs
• Elective options may include the following courses:
- Academic Vocabulary
- Business English
- Pronunciation
- Public Speaking
- Intercultural Communication
- Grammar
Upper Level Elective Courses
Pronunciation
In this higher-level pronunciation course, students polish their English speaking skills by doing short presentations, oral readings, and impromptu speech activities. In addition to practicing rhythm, stress, and intonation, they will focus on articulation and vocal projection.
Academic Vocabulary
This course is designed for those preparing for university, graduate school, and standardized exams, such as the iBT TOEFL and the IELTS exams. Students will learn new academic vocabulary related to business, economics, psychology, the U.S. education system, science, history, and more. Practice exercises are challenging and interactive, and provide students with strategies for enhancing their English reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Business English
This course teaches students how to write and speak effectively in U.S. business situations. Students gain practice in writing clear, concise, accurate, and persuasive texts, emails, memos, and short reports. They learn the art of small talk and conduct short presentations, conference calls, and simulated meetings. Students gain confidence as they develop their abilities to target communication for managers, colleagues, direct reports, and clients. They learn how to communicate good, bad, and neutral news.
Intercultural Communication
In this course, students gain valuable and necessary intercultural skills for their academic and professional careers. They examine and discuss cultures similar to their own as well as those that are radically different. Students use a variety of English language and critical thinking skills to explore complex relationships between culture and communication.
Public Speaking
In this course, students polish their public speaking skills in discussions, short and formal presentations, and impromptu speeches based on their topics of interest. The course includes work on discussion leadership, pronunciation, and all aspects of delivering effective presentations: body language, eye contact, framing language, and responding to questions.
Grammar
In this high intermediate to advanced grammar course, students learn more complex forms and structures to help them create more sophisticated, nuanced, and effective written and oral communication. Students also have an opportunity to practice their editing skills in order to write more like a native speaker of English.
