Undergraduate Catalog 2005- 2006

English As A Second Language*

English Language Institute

Graduate School of Education
320 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1000

Phone: 716.645.2077
Fax: 716.645.6198
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/eli

Stephen C. Dunnett
Director, English Language Institute

Kathy L. Curtis
Associate Director, English Language Institute

Keith E. Otto
Program Director

About the Program

*Not a baccalaureate degree program

The English as a Second Language program at the English Language Institute (ELI) assists international and domestic students whose first language is not English in developing the language skills necessary to succeed in a U.S. university. Undergraduate students enroll in credit-bearing English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to improve their English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for academic purposes and to satisfy the university’s basic writing skills requirement. In addition, ELI offers assistance to university departments and the Office of Admissions in evaluating students’ English language skills.

International students, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents whose first or dominant language is other than English may satisfy the university’s basic writing requirement by successfully completing two ESL courses: ESL 407 Advanced Written English and Reading I, and ESL 408 Advanced Written English and Reading II. Students are strongly advised to complete both of these courses during their first and second semesters of academic study.

Acceptance Information

All international students who are applying to undergraduate programs at the University at Buffalo whose first or dominant language is other than English must submit a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based or 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), in order to be considered for admission. International undergraduate students who score between 193 and 210 on the computer-based TOEFL test (or between 523 and 547 if a paper test was taken) may be admitted to the university on the condition that they register for and successfully complete both ESL 407 Advanced Written English I, and either ESL 411 or ESL 412 Advanced Spoken English during the first semester of registration. During their first semester only, those students admitted on a conditional basis may not register for more than four courses. International undergraduate students who apply to UB with a score below 193 on their computer-based TOEFL test (or 523 if a paper test was taken) should consider registering for the Intensive English Program, which is a noncredit, nonmatriculation program offered by the English Language Institute.

Advisement

The program director of the English as a Second Language program is available to advise students and place them into ESL courses prior to and at the beginning of each semester. Throughout the year, the program director is available to assist university departments and offices in evaluating students’ English language proficiency and in planning a program of language instruction that meets students’ needs.

Transfer Policy

ESL 407 may be waived based on the transfer of an equivalent course from another accredited U.S. university, if the student has a computer-based TOEFL score of 213 (or 550 on the paper version) or higher. ESL 407 may also be waived based on a computer-based TOEFL score of 250 (or 600 on the paper version) or above, depending on the student’s writing score.

Notable Program Features

ESL Program instructors are trained in teaching English to speakers of other languages. They have had experience teaching abroad, as well as in the United States; therefore, they are aware of and sensitive to the special needs and difficulties of second-language learners.


Course Descriptions

ESL 407 Advanced Written English and Reading I

Credits:  3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Improves students’ writing skills for academic purposes by developing effective use of grammatical structures; analytical and critical reading skills; sensitivity to rhetorical situation, style, and level of diction in academic reading and writing; and competence in using various methods of organization for formal writing. For those undergraduates who are international students, citizens, or permanent residents of the United States, or who are refugees, and whose first or dominant language is other than English, successful completion of ESL 407 meets the university’s basic writing requirement in place of ENG 101 Writing 1. Students may not receive credit for both ESL 407 and ENG 101.

 

ESL 408 Advanced Written English and Reading II

Credits:  3
Semester: F Sp
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Focuses on the development of more advanced academic writing skills, the analysis and practice of various methods of organization and rhetorical patterns used in formal expository and persuasive writing, the refinement of critical reading strategies and library research techniques, and the completion of an academically acceptable library research paper. For those undergraduates who are international students, refugees, or citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and whose first or dominant language is other than English, successful completion of ESL 408 meets the university’s basic writing skills requirement in place of ENG 102 Writing 2 or ENG 201 Advanced Writing 1. Students may not receive credit for both ESL 408 and either ENG 102 or ENG 201.

ESL 411 Advanced Spoken English I

Credits:  3
Semester: F
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Improves students’ listening and speaking proficiency for the university context; develops their skills in researching, preparing, and delivering various kinds of oral presentations, including individual presentations (both informative and persuasive), group presentations, and debates; increases their mastery of appropriate forms of American speech for academic and everyday communication, including American idiomatic speech; and addresses their individual pronunciation and intonation problems. Students’ presentations are videotaped and reviewed.

 

ESL 412 Advanced Spoken English II

Credits:  3
Semester: Sp
Prerequisites:  None
Corequisites:  None
Type:  LEC

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Focuses on developing students’ listening and speaking proficiency for an academic context; refining students' skills in researching, preparing, and delivering academic oral presentations, including group discussions, individual presentations, and interviews; and familiarizing students with appropriate forms of American speech for academic and everyday communication, including American idiomatic forms. Gives exercises to address individual pronunciation and intonation problems. Students’ presentations are videotaped and reviewed.

Updated: Nov 16, 2005 10:48:31 AM

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