University of Southern Maine

ESL 016: Intermediate Grammar and Writing - Level 1
Tuesday and Thursday: 9-11 a.m.
This developmental English language course is designed to help nonnative English speakers gain a stronger foundation in understanding and using English grammar correctly.  Emphasis is on understanding the meaning, use and form of common grammatical structures needed for academic writing and oral communication by building on a basic knowledge of English grammar and by focusing onaccurate production of English through grammatical, written, and oral exercises. This course awards no academic credit towards graduation. This course is a prerequisite for ESL 102.

ESL 102: Advanced Grammar and Writing - Level 2
Tuesday and Thursday: 9-11 a.m.
This advanced-level ESOL course for nonnative English speakers is designed to help students build a stronger foundation of grammatical skills and produce more natural and accurate writing.  Emphasis is placed on understanding and using grammatical structures needed for academic writing and discussion at the university level. Through a series of grammatical exercises, students will produce more complex English sentences and short essays. Prerequisite: ESL 011

ESL 018: Intermediate Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 1
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9-11 a.m.
This developmental English language course is designed to help nonnative English speakers compose fluent and accurate academic writing, read and critically analyze texts, and expand the vocabulary and idiom needed for academic work. This course awards no academic credit towards graduation. This course is a prerequisite for ESL 103.

ESL 103: Higher Intermediate Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 2
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9-11 a.m.
This high intermediate-level English language course is designed to help nonnative English speakers produce grammatically accurate, well-constructed, coherent English.  Students will learn how to write, revise and edit paragraphs and essays and to read and analyze the content of a variety of literature, thereby increasing their productive and receptive academic vocabulary. Prerequisite: ESL 010

ESL 104A: Advanced Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 3
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9-11 a.m.
This advanced-level English language course is designed for nonnative English speakers who are nearly ready for College Writing but need additional work in refining language skills.  Work will focus on reading academic literature and practicing academic writing skills (essays and reaction papers) necessary for university.  Additional work will develop vocabulary extension. Prerequisite: ESL 103

ESL 100C: College Writing 
Tuesday and Thursday:  4:10-5:25 p.m. 
This course, a special section of ENG 100C, is open only to nonnative English speakers who have met USM writing proficiency requirements through the USM writing placement test, or have successfully completed ESL 104A. ESL 100C meets the College Writing requirement for the CORE Curriculum. Prerequisite: ESL 104A.

Students must pass each of these courses with a grade of C or better to progress to the next level. A grade of C or better in ESL 100C is required for some majors.