English as a Second Language

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English as a Second Language Department

At CATS Boston, we understand that our students arrive with differing levels of English, so we ensure that our language support is tailored to every student. From presenting at national competitions to acting and singing in front of an audience, our students are able to practice their linguistic skills throughout their daily school life. 

English as a Second Language Electives

The English for Communication (Level 2) course is specifically designed for international students who are at a high beginning comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US or UK university or college, where English is the primary medium of instruction.  Using the latest technology, the students focus on work in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, reading and listening comprehension, writing, and speaking. The course introduces students to American idiomatic expressions and helps them understand spelling rules. Students are introduced to new vocabulary and practice using new vocabulary in writing and speaking, while interacting in the class or working on individual or group research projects.  

The course also helps students to learn about and better understand American culture. The course is built on: 

Pathways 1: Listening and Speaking 

Pathways 1: Reading and Writing  

The course is based on using the latest technology and may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics covered in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide. There is required reading and writing homework, including work online, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies.  

To take this elective, international students will be considered following their English Communication placement test results. 

The English Grammer (Level 3) course is specifically designed for international students who are at an intermediate comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US or UK university or college where English is the primary medium of instruction.  

This elective focuses on improving and further developing students’ ability in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), with an emphasis on applying the following skills to students’ own subjects: 

  • Grammar 
  • Reading 
  • Writing 
  • Speaking 
  • Listening comprehension skills 
  • Academic English vocabulary, Researching 

 

Students work on understanding spoken and written English and on developing the ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students learn vocabulary and presentation skills, increase writing and thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing texts. They work on grammar and academic vocabulary development.  

In addition, the course includes extended work on academic English and TOEFL vocabulary, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions. There is required reading and writing homework, including work online, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies. The course is designed to address students’ individual learning needs in expanding their vocabulary. It prepares students for future TOEFL examination and is based on using the latest technology. It may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics covered in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide.  

To take this elective, students must have successfully completed the English for Communication course at CATS Boston. New international students will be considered following their English Grammar placement test results. 

 The Academic English (Level 4) course is specifically designed for international students who are at the high intermediate comprehension level of the English Language and who plan to continue with their education in a US or UK university or college where English is the primary medium of instruction. It helps students to build confidence in proper use of academic English grammar, enrich their academic English vocabulary, and practice the command of academic English.  

 While the main focus of the ESL Level 4 course is to work on English grammar and vocabulary, the course is also aimed at further developing and mastering students’ advanced skills in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), such as:  

  • Reading 
  • Writing 
  • Speaking 
  • Listening comprehension skills 
  • Researching 
  • Presentation skills 
  • Critical thinking

 

Students continue working on understanding spoken and written English and the ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students acquire more sophisticated academic English vocabulary and presentation skills, improve writing and thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing complex texts. In addition, the course prepares for the TOEFL examination, includes extended work on academic English and TOEFL vocabulary, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions. There is required reading and writing homework, including work online, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on testing-taking strategies.  

It may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide.  

To take this elective, students must have successfully completed the English Grammar course at CATS Boston. New international students will be considered following their Academic English placement test results.

The Writing and Research (Level 5) course is specifically designed for international students who are at an advanced comprehension level of the English language and who plan in the future to continue with their education in a university or college where English is the primary medium of instruction. It helps students to build confidence in academic writing and master the command of academic English.  

While the main focus of the Writing and Research course is mastering academic writing using proper English grammar along with academic English vocabulary, the course is also aimed at developing and enhancing other skills in English for Academic Purposes (EAP):  

  • Reading 
  • Writing 
  • Speaking 
  • Listening comprehension skills 
  • Researching 
  • Presentation skills 
  • Critical thinking 

 

Students master their understanding of spoken and written English and ability to speak and write clearly and effectively. Students enrich their academic vocabulary and presentation skills, increase critical thinking skills developed in English, and apply critical thinking and writing skills to a variety of academic assignments, including analyzing complex texts. In addition, the course prepares for the TOEFL examination including extended work on academic English and TOEFL vocabulary, pronunciation skills, conversational English, and the use of idiomatic expressions. There is required reading and writing homework, including work online, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies.  

 The course is built on the Elements of Success 4 (Grammar for Writing) textbook (Oxford University Press. It is designed to address students’ individual learning needs and prepares students for future TOEFL examination and may include various individual and group activities, original streaming news, authentic audio and video materials, and publications that relate to topics in the textbook and reflect everyday life and cultural events in the US and worldwide. There is required reading and writing homework, including work online, and there are tests and quizzes in class to work on test-taking strategies. 

To take this elective, students must have successfully completed the Academic English course at CATS Boston. New international students will be considered following their Writing and Research placement test results. 

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