Proficiency of English as a Second Language (PESL)

PESL 000
Proficiency of English as a Second Language Placeholder

Placeholder course for students who may need an English assessment or courses in the English Language Program.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 001
Proficiency of English as a Second Language for Undergraduates

Placeholder course for students who may need an English assessment or courses in the English Language Program.

Lecture: 6 Lab: 0 Credits: 6
PESL 021
Listening Enhancement I

Listening Enhancement I (PESL 021) is designed to help English language learners improve basic listening, note-taking, and critical thinking skills using a variety of academic and social listenings. The goal of this course is to teach students various listening strategies to comprehend key information and to develop skills necessary for successful interaction in social contexts. Practice will include identifying organizational patterns, recognizing language cues, and summarizing authentic material. Students will also utilize learned information in projects. Placement in this course is based on assessment results.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 022
Listening Enhancement II

Listening Enhancement II (PESL 022) is designed to strengthen English language learners’ advanced listening, note-taking, and critical thinking skills. Students will utilize advanced listening strategies to excel in academic and social contexts.. Students will also employ learned information in higher-order thinking projects. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results and/or the successful completion of Listening Enhancement I (PESL 021).

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 031
Reading and Vocabulary Development I

Reading and Vocabulary Development I (PESL 031) is designed for international students to develop reading skills and increase overall vocabulary. Students will be exposed to a variety of readings in order to build effective strategies for analysis of and interaction with a variety of text types. The goal of this course is to foster the critical skills needed to successfully comprehend and interpret texts. Placement in this course is based on assessment results.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 032
Reading and Vocabulary Development II

Reading and Vocabulary Development II (PESL 032) is designed to help international students enhance their critical reading skills and overall vocabulary. Students will learn strategies to analyze and synthesize a variety of text types. The goal of this course is to improve students’ critical thinking skills in order to successfully engage with a diverse range of texts. Placement in this course is based on assessment results and/or the successful completion of PESL 031.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 040
Fundamentals of Academic Writing

Fundamentals of Academic Writing (PESL 040) is designed to introduce international students to the conventions of academic writing and to develop a voice in writing for United States audiences. By composing academic paragraphs, students will gain knowledge of deductive organizational structure, and academic formatting. The goal of this course is to introduce students to paragraph writing and the grammar associated with correct academic writing. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 041
Academic Writing I

PESL 041 Academic Writing I (PESL 041) is designed for international students to improve the fluency and accuracy of their writing. Students will reinforce their understanding of argumentation and organization for U.S. academic audiences through the composition and revision of a variety of paragraphs that demonstrate increasing complexity. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the writing process and teach students the elements of good paragraphs. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results and/or the successful completion of Fundamentals of Academic Writing (PESL 040).

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 042
Academic Writing II

Academic Writing II (PESL 042) will prepare international students for research and research writing. Students will learn advanced research skills and apply them through the composition of a research paper. The goal of this course is to prepare students to write well-researched and cited academic essays. Students are also taught how not to plagiarize and how to correctly document cited material in APA style. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results and/or the successful completion of Academic Writing I (PESL 041).

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 061
Effective Communication I

Effective Communication I is designed to help English language learners develop greater spoken fluency and skills and strategies for communicating effectively on campus. The goal of this course is to improve student communication skills and confidence in order to effectively participate in an academic setting. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3
PESL 062
Effective Communication II

Effective Communication II is an advanced course in speaking for international students. Topics include developing discussion skills, presentation skills, and skills to manage interactions in both academic and social life. The goal of this course is to prepare students to engage in discussions and communicate effectively in both social and academic settings. Placement in this course is based on placement exam results and/or the successful completion of the prerequisite course.

Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Credits: 3