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Grammar Foundations

In this interactive course, students gain a strong foundation in English language grammar. Through structured exercises and fun activities, students improve their accuracy and fluency in writing and speaking. The objective of this course is that students have a more clear understanding of how to use grammar structures with increased accuracy in speaking and writing.

Pronunciation Foundations

Students work on English pronunciation errors that are common among second language speakers. Students practice individual sounds, with emphasis on rhythm, stress, and intonation to improve their overall comprehensibility.

Vocabulary & Idioms

This course focuses on acquiring and using high-frequency general vocabulary and idioms for reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students learn vocabulary-building techniques, read short articles and stories, listen to short film, TV clips and/or songs, use new vocabulary in writing and speaking, and expand dictionary skills. Students learn how to make speech clearer, more varied, and native-like.

Life Skills

In this course, students practice using English in practical situations through in class role-plays and outside of class field trips. Through practice listening to and speaking English, students work to improve their pronunciation and structure and expand their vocabulary. Students have the opportunity to go out into the community to practice speaking skills in real settings.

Sports & Nutrition

Students develop their English fluency in a fun and interactive way. They learn about healthy eating and fitness through videos, readings, and guest speakers. Students explore Boulder actively while learning new vocabulary related to fitness and health. They also play indoor or outdoor sports such as volleyball, soccer, Frisbee, basketball, hiking or cycling.

Speak Out

In this beginner to low-intermediate course, students focus on gaining confidence and fluency in speaking English. They practice using target pronunciation and grammar structures. They practice speaking English through the use of a variety of drama and other interactive speaking-activities.

Grammar

In this high intermediate to advanced grammar course, students learn more complex forms and structures to help them create more sophisticated, nuanced, and effective written and oral communication. Students also have an opportunity to practice their editing skills in order to write more like a native speaker of English.

Pronunciation

In this higher-level pronunciation course, students polish their English speaking skills by doing short presentations, oral readings, and impromptu speech activities. In addition to practicing rhythm, stress, and intonation, they will focus on articulation and vocal projection.

Academic Vocabulary

This course is designed for those preparing for university, graduate school, and standardized exams, such as the iBT TOEFL and the IELTS exams. Students will learn new academic vocabulary related to business, economics, psychology, the U.S. education system, science, history, and more. Practice exercises are challenging and interactive, and provide students with strategies for enhancing their English reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Test Preparation

This course provides students with strategies and test-taking practice for university English proficiency tests (TOEFL and IELTS). In this course, students improve academic vocabulary, reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. Students will review test formats and scoring, and practice with actual tests.

Graduate Test Preparation

This course provides prospective graduate students with strategies and test-taking practice for the GRE and GMAT admission tests. While an emphasis is placed on the GRE exam, students will also practice skills that apply to the GMAT. In this course, students will improve academic vocabulary, reading, critical thinking, and academic writing skills for the verbal section of the test. They will also improve basic math, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills for the quantitative reasoning section of the exam.

Business English

This course teaches students how to write and speak effectively in U.S. business situations. Students gain practice in writing clear, concise, accurate, and persuasive texts, emails, memos, and short reports. They learn the art of small talk and conduct short presentations, conference calls, and simulated meetings. Students gain confidence as they develop their abilities to target communication for managers, colleagues, direct reports, and clients. They learn how to communicate good, bad, and neutral news.

English for STEM

Students learn how to write and speak effectively in academic and professional STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) situations. They gain practice in writing clear, concise, accurate, and persuasive reports and informal proposals. Students improve their ability to describe, interpret, and analyze quantitative and visual data. They also gain confidence as they develop their abilities to target communication for classmates, professors, prospective employers, and other audiences.

Communicating °µÍø½ûÇø Math

This course is designed for high-intermediate to advanced level students who want to learn how to communicate more effectively In English about math concepts, equations, and word problems. Students review U.S. and metric measurement systems, as well as U.S. mathematical notations (for example, when to use a decimal point versus a comma). Students learn how to break down word problems in English and focus on relevant vocabulary. Sample math problems from the SAT, GRE, and GMAT exams are included.

English Through Video Presentation

This course provides instruction and practice in pronunciation, listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills as students create screenplays and short videos in English. Students create and practice short dialogs, watch short clips of films to analyze diction, setting, and tone, and work together in groups to create original storyboards and short scripts to perform on video. The course provides practice with pronunciation and opportunities for students to learn and use vocabulary related to film or their video project. It also includes opportunities for impromptu, informal, and/or formal presentations.

Life Skills

In this course, students use English to explore a variety of social and cultural topics. Students learn conversation strategies and appropriate social and academic vocabulary to discuss and respond to these topics. Students have the opportunity to go into the community to practice using English in real, practical situations such as visiting a courthouse, senior citizen center, or high school.

Sports & Nutrition

Students develop their English fluency in a fun and interactive way. They learn about healthy eating and fitness through videos, readings, and guest speakers. Students explore Boulder actively while learning new vocabulary related to fitness and health. They also play indoor or outdoor sports such as volleyball, soccer, frisbee, basketball, hiking or cycling.

Volunteering

In this course, students develop their English language proficiency through service-learning projects in the community. Students learn new vocabulary related to volunteerism and service learning. They have the opportunity to go into the community to practice English. Students volunteer at university events and at local organizations that serve both the local and global community.

U.S. History and Culture

This course improves students’ English skills through learning about periods in the history and culture of the United States through songs, TV shows, movies, and readings. Students develop content-based vocabulary, read and write about cultural events and changes throughout U.S. history, and understand important cultural references such as famous music and movies.

Fan Fiction

In this course, students read original works of popular fiction and watch television shows or movies about these stories. Students participate in lively discussions and write creative descriptive narrative texts about the fictional characters in these stories to further their understanding. Through reading stories and watching shows about characters in these stories, students improve their reading and listening comprehension.

Oral Communication Through Art

In this course, students develop their listening and speaking skills while learning about and making art. Students will explore different types of art by meeting Boulder artists, visiting art studios, and creating their own art in the class. Types of art could include clay pottery and sculpture, painting, drawing, monoprints, photography and/or recycled art.

Trip Across the U.S.

In this course, students go on a virtual "road trip" of each major region of the United States. Students will learn about important contemporary issues in U.S. life while gaining a better understanding of the U.S. Students will improve their cultural literacy, enhancing their comprehension of conversations and lectures at CU Boulder or other U.S. universities.

Intercultural Communication

In this course, students gain valuable and necessary intercultural skills for their academic and professional careers. They examine and discuss cultures similar to their own as well as those that are radically different. Students use a variety of English language and critical thinking skills to explore complex relationships between culture and communication.