ESL Curriculum

The ESL program provides intensive preparation for challenging college preparatory coursework. The program is uniquely focused to maximize readiness for mainstream placement in competitive independent schools. TOEFL preparation is integrated into the curriculum.

Courses are offered at four levels: beginning, intermediate, advanced intermediate and advanced. Lower level students take courses in reading, writing and conversation. At upper levels, students study literature, writing and a third course. All classes include acquisition of academic vocabulary as well as analytical and critical thinking skills.

Daily grading and evaluation provide essential feedback. Class size is limited to 4-6 students.

ESL Reading

ESL Reading 1

ESL Reading 1 will develop word attack, phonic, vocabulary and spelling skills as well as broad writing and conversation abilities. Syntax, decoding, encoding, whole word, phrase reading and TOEFL preparation objectives are fully integrated in both class activities and nightly homework.

Course content prepares students for success in top college prep schools. Daily grading and evaluation provide essential feedback to a class size of 4-6 students.

ESL Reading 2

ESL Reading 2 is dedicated to moving students toward advanced level reading skills in a context of intermediate reading, writing and conversation. Skill priorities include reading for main idea and detail, decoding, encoding, inference, comprehension of idioms and multiple meanings, and textbook reading technique. TOEFL preparation objectives are fully integrated in both class activities and nightly homework.

Course content prepares students for success in rigorous college prep settings. Daily grading and evaluation provide essential feedback to a class size of 4-6 students.

ESL Reading 3 (Literature)

ESL Writing

ESL Writing 1

ESL Writing 1 will prepare the beginning student for success at upper course levels. Writing is taught as a process with an emphasis on grammar, sentence structure and parts of speech. Specific objectives include spelling, planning, outlining, expanding academic vocabulary, editing and revising techniques, oral presentation and writing cohesive, organized paragraphs.

Daily grading and evaluation provide essential feedback. Class size is limited to 4-6 students.

ESL Writing 2

ESL Writing 2 will prepare students for advanced levels of writing and eventually for mainstream, college prep coursework. Elements include identifying grammatical structures and parts of speech; writing compound and complex sentences; understanding paragraph formation with the goal of writing a properly structured essay. Students complete assignments on specific grammar exercises including coordination and subordination. They also develop structural writing skills, composing paragraphs in narration, description, persuasion, process, and illustrative styles using a pre-writing, writing, editing and revising process.

ESL Writing 3

ESL Conversation

ESL Conversation rigorously addresses vocabulary building, increased independence and greater confidence through structured use of English every day. Progress is supported residentially on campus and by three family style meals per day at English speaking tables with faculty supervision.

Activities and course content include reading and writing. TOEFL preparation is included in class activities and homework.

American Studies

American Studies offers advanced speakers insight into the crucial roles that culture and language play in the English language. Course emphasis includes pragmatics and nuances of the language, as well as culture-sensitive cues required for fluency. Students are prepared for standardized tests such as the TOEFL, SAT, and SSAT by introducing an abundance of new vocabulary and grammar points.

Additional objectives include self-advocacy, appropriate conduct in the American classroom and study skills relevant to success in all courses. Students learn to “find their voices” in spoken and written English as they prepare for mainstream, college preparatory courses in American schools.

English Skills

In addition to courses in writing and reading, English Skills serves as the third course for most intermediate-level students. The course provides TOEFL preparation and additional opportunities to strengthen all English skills with the inclusion of rigorous components of reading and writing in class activities as well as nightly homework.

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