University of Southern Maine

All ESOL courses (except TOEFL Preparation) are taught as part of USM's regular academic semester program and are offered in the fall and spring semesters as well as in the summer session.  Students receive University academic credit for all semester classes, from 3.0 to 1.5 credits per class. The shorter summer courses grant 1.0-1.5 credits. See course descriptions below for specific information.  Generally, all courses are offered on the Portland campus.

ESL 018: Intermediate Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 1
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This developmental English language course is designed to help learners of English compose fluent and accurate academic writing, read and critically analyze texts, and expand the vocabulary and idiom needed for academic work.  This course is a prerequisite for ESL 103. Credits: 1.5

ESL 103: Higher Intermediate Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 2
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This high intermediate-level English language course is designed to help learners of English produce grammatically accurate, well-constructed, coherent English in both written and spoken form.  Students will learn how to write, revise and edit paragraphs and essays.  Students will learn to read and analyze a variety of fiction and non-fiction, increasing their academic vocabulary.  Prerequisite: ESL 010 or Instructor=s Permission. Credits: 3

ESL 104A: Advanced Reading, Writing & Vocabulary - Level 3
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This advanced-level English language course is designed for learners of English who are nearly ready for College Writing but need additional work in polishing their language skills.  Work will focus on reading academic literature and practicing academic writing skills (essays and journals) necessary for university.  Additional work will develop vocabulary extension and the use of idiom.  Prerequisite: ESL 103 or Instructor=s Permission. Credits: 3

ESL 016: Intermediate Grammar and Writing - Level 1
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This developmental English language course is designed to help learners of English gain a stronger foundation in understanding and using English grammar correctly.  Emphasis is on understanding the meaning, use and form of common grammar structures needed for academic writing and oral communication by building on a basic knowledge of English grammar. It focuses on accurate production of English through a series of grammatical, written, and oral exercises. This course is a prerequisite for ESL 102. Credits: 1.5 

ESL 102: Advanced Grammar and Writing - Level 2
Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This advanced-level ESOL course for learners of English 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 or Instructor=s Permission. Credits: 3

ESL 100C: College Writing 
Tuesday & Thursday:  4:10 - 5:25 p.m.  
This special section of ENG 100C is open only to learners of English who have met USM writing proficiency requirements through the USM writing placement test, or have successfully completed ESL 104A or ENG 009A. It meets the College Writing requirement for the CORE Curriculum.  Using the writing process as a model, students are asked to brainstorm, write, revise, edit, and rewrite their essays.  Prerequisite: Instructor=s or Advisor=s Permission. Credits: 3

ESL 018: Reading and Speaking Fluency
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
This course focuses on helping students improve their speed and comfort in both speaking and reading. Students learn techniques for reading faster and understanding more of what they read. Diverse and authentic materials are used in this class. Students also learn interview and presentation skills; all students carry out interviews with local citizens. Credits: 1.5

ESL 017: Listening and Speaking
Tuesday and Thursday: 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.
This course focuses on helping students speak and understand the English language better. Emphasis is placed on oral production through mini-talks, role-playing and pronunciation exercises. Extensive listening is done either in class or in the Language lab, primarily using the Internet and other available resources. Credits: 1.5

ESL 199: Reading, Writing and Vocabulary [Summer Only]
Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
This course is for those who want to improve the quality of their academic writing. Class work builds academic vocabulary, presents guidelines and models of writing, and develops reading strategies for analysis and writing. There are three proficiency levels of ESL 199, placement based on a test given the first day of class. Credits: 1.5

TOEFL PREPARATION
This is a non-credit course offered twice a year (September - November and February - April).   This course is designed to help students learn TOEFL exam strategies. It meets for 10 sessions in the evenings from 4:15 - 6:15 P.M.  For more information on the TOEFL see: www.ets.org/toefl

INTENSIVE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM
ESL 006, ESL 007, ESL 008 & ESL 009:   Intensive English Language Program
These four intensive courses offer 22 hours of instruction per week to students who do not yet have the proficiency skills or the required TOEFL score to meet the standards of admission into an American college or university academic program.  In addition to preparing students in the academic skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar and vocabulary expansion, the program also prepares students for the TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test).

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) www.usm.maine.edu/eap/esl  is open to learners of English who have had some previous experience with the English or whose TOEFL score is at least 100CBT/33iBT.  Beginners cannot be accepted into the program.  The program is ideal for international students seeking admission into an American college or university or needing English for employment, and is also open to local residents at in-state tuition rates.

In addition to two 15-week semester programs (fall and spring), there is a 4-week summer program from mid-July to mid-August.

Which Courses Should I Take?
All prospective students are invited to visit the program at Payson Smith Hall, Room 101. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and to be sure we will have time to speak with you, we recommend calling or e-mailing for an appointment. See below for the e-mail address and telephone number. There are two ways to find out which level is correct for you: instructor permission and placement tests. At the start of each semester, students are given a placement test to determine which level they should be in for a particular course. Some courses, such as College Writing, required instructor permission. Please make an appointment if you are interested in this course. Remember, we are always happy to answer your questions.