AES Classes

AES classes have an academic focus. They are designed to improve students' English skills so that they are prepared to integrate into the undergraduate program as quickly and as completely as possible. As part of the AES program, students improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in AES classes, and they observe or audit undergraduate classes at the same time. Advanced students might also take one or two undergraduate courses for credit along with their AES classes.

Core: Low Intermediate Reading and Writing, AES 101 & 102

Core: High Intermediate Reading and Writing, AES 110 & 120

(10 hours/week)

The underlying principle of the Core concept is the integration of language skills, emphasizing reading and writing to develop language proficiency. These classes are content-based; in other words, the content is the basis for all lessons. Throughout the levels, there is a continuum from a language skills focus for developing basic communication skills to an increasingly greater focus on developing academic language skills. These classes also guide students through the process of doing library research, debating a topic, and ultimately producing a research paper.

Communication Skills: AES 103/130

(5 hours/week)

Communication Skills is designed to complement the Core classes. Again, the underlying principle of these courses is the integration of language skills, although there is a greater focus on listening and speaking skills. These courses are also content-based. Undergraduate academic class observations and community contact through service learning projects are required.

Advanced Reading: AES 210

(5 hours/week)

English language study in this course is based on un-adapted readings of cultural and academic interest, fiction, and non-fiction. The focus is on reading strategies, critical reading and thinking skills, as well as vocabulary acquisition skills and increased reading speed.

Advanced Writing: AES 221/222

(5 hours/week)

Advanced Writing includes extensive practice in academic writing: developing a wide variety of sentence types and rhetorical patterns; appropriate writing and formatting conventions – in particular, as related to research skills (databases, reference materials, and internet resources), issues of academic integrity, and research writing conventions (citation and documentation). Also included is a comprehensive review of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Seminar: AES 240

(5 hours/week)

The Seminar course focuses on an academic subject area, in direct preparation for undergraduate classes. Students are required to produce a research paper which is used as the basis of an oral presentation. The content of the Seminar varies from term to term, thus making it possible for transition-level and part-time students to repeat this course.

Modular Courses: AES 105/106/150/151/250/251

(5 hours/week)

The Modular courses are content-based courses offering specialized English instruction through a variety of topics. Students take two consecutive Modular courses each term. The Modular concept allows students to study courses in the humanities or in business/science/technology. Modular course topics at each level vary from term to term in order to give students a broader exposure to a variety of English language usage. In the past, course topics have included:

• Computer Applications
• Business English
• Law and Society
• Literature
• Media
• Ecology
• US History

Introduction to Modes of Inquiry: AES 260

(5 hours/week)

This course requires full participation in an undergraduate class. The focus is on note-taking, aural comprehension, and application of integrated language skills required to succeed in an academic setting. Weekly meetings are scheduled with an AES faculty member to synthesize course content.

Sample Weekly Schedule