English Language Centre

English Language & Skills Curriculum
Level Course titles Class hours per week Pre-requisite Credit Type
Vary All other ELC courses 3 hours Vary – Free-elective credits
GE Creativity and Writing: English for a Global Readership 3 hours None GE credits
E5 English for Specific Academic Purposes:

EELC2011 English Speaking for Academic Research
EELC2012 English Writing for Academic Research
EELC2013 English Integrated Skills for Academic Research

3 hours E4 – Language & Skills credits
– Free-elective credits
E4 Academic English:

EELC2008 Academic English: Speaking
EELC2009 Academic English: Writing
EELC2010 Academic English: Project-based learning

3 hours E3 – Language & Skills credits
– Free-elective credits
E3 EELC1013 University English III 3 hours E2 Language & Skills credits only
E2 EELC1012 University English II 6 class hours + 1 hour tutorial E1 Language & Skills credits only
E1b EELC1011 University English I 6 class hours + 1 hour tutorial None Language & Skills credits only
E1a EELC1011 University English I
EELC1008 Co-requisite: Grammar and Writing Improvement I
6 class hours + 1 hour tutorial
3 hours
None Language & Skills credits only

A full list of ELC courses

  1. EELC1011 UNIVERSITY ENGLISH I
  2. EELC1012 UNIVERSITY ENGLISH II
  3. EELC1013 UNIVERSITY ENGLISH III
  4. EELC1004/1005  LISTENING AND SPEAKING IMPROVEMENT 1 & 2
  5. EELC1006/1007  READING SKILLS & STRATEGIES 1 & 2
  6. EELC1008/1009  GRAMMAR & WRITING IMPROVEMENT 1 & 2
  7. EELC2000/2001  ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS 1 & 2
  8. EELC2004/2005  INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING 1 & 2
  9. EELC2006  SPEAKING AND FLUENCY
  10. EELC2007 SPEAKING IN ENGLISH: ORAL PRESENTATION SKILLS
  11. EELC2008 ACADEMIC ENGLISH: SPEAKING
  12. EELC2009 ACADEMIC ENGLISH: WRITING
  13. EELC2010 ACADEMIC ENGLISH: PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
  14. EELC2011 ENGLISH SPEAKING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
  15. EELC2012 ENGLISH WRITING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
  16. EELC2013 ENGLISH INTEGRATED SKILLS FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH
  17. EELC3004/3005  ADVANCED ACADEMIC WRITING 1 & 2
  18. EELC3006/3007  SPEAKING 1 & 2 (ADVANCED)
  19. EELC3008/3009  ADVANCED INTEGRATED SKILLS
  20. EELC3010/3011  INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING INTERNSHIP 1 & 2
  21. EELC4004  ACADEMIC RESEARCH WRITING WORKSHOP
  22. Special Topic Electives (Meet 80 minutes/week for one semester)
  23. GELH2000  Creativity and Writing: English for a Global Readership

 

EELC1011  UNIVERSITY ENGLISH I

This is a one-semester Academic English course for elementary English language level students. Students have six class hours, one tutorial hour and an e-learning requirement. This course introduces basic academic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through students’ active participation in diverse and intensive academic and discipline-related activities and assessments at an appropriate elementary level. Simple academic texts and discipline-related materials enhance students’ accurate use of basic grammar structures, enlarge their vocabulary and facilitate their development of language skills for a variety of academic contexts. The course provides a foundation for students to develop the academic English skills and abilities necessary for studying at the university level in English.

Pre-requisite: None

 

EELC1012  UNIVERSITY ENGLISH II

This is a one-semester Academic English course for low-intermediate English language level students. Students have six class hours, one tutorial hour and an e-learning requirement. This course improves and consolidates academic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through students’ active participation in diverse and intensive academic and discipline-related activities and assessments at an appropriate low-intermediate level. Short academic texts and discipline-related materials enhance students’ accurate use of more complex grammar and text structures, enlarge their vocabulary and facilitate their development of language skills for a variety of academic contexts. The course provides practice for students to develop the academic English skills and abilities necessary for studying at the university level in English.

Pre-requisite: EELC1011 or a required score in a placement test

 

EELC1013 UNIVERSITY ENGLISH III

This is a one-semester Academic English course for intermediate English language level students. Students have three class hours. This course develops and reinforces academic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through students’ active participation in diverse and intensive academic and discipline-related activities and assessments at an appropriate intermediate level. Academic texts and discipline-related materials enhance students’ confident use of appropriate grammar and text structures, enlarge their vocabulary and facilitate their development of language skills for a variety of academic contexts. The course provides students with the academic English skills and abilities necessary for studying at the university level in English.

Pre-requisite: EELC1012 or a required score in a placement test

 

EELC1004/1005  LISTENING AND SPEAKING IMPROVEMENT I / II

These courses will develop oral proficiency of spoken English and listening comprehension at an intermediate level. Listening will focus on note-taking and aural comprehension using thought-provoking material from texts, television, film and music. Speaking will focus on fluency, accuracy, and skills and strategies for effective communication and personal interaction.   These courses will also place a large focus on vocabulary building and collocation for the purpose of improving spoken communication. A smaller focus on reading and writing will also be included in preparation for group presentations, role play and story telling. Group work involving discussion is an integral part of the course. In addition, the course will involve some contact assignments that will take place outside the classroom.

Prerequisite: None

Note: For the student admitted in AY 2016/2017 onwards who are placed in to EELC1001 or EELC1002

EELC1006/1007  READING SKILLS & STRATEGIES I / II

These one-semester 3-credit elective courses provide a foundation in reading comprehension, critical reading, and vocabulary development. Students will learn to locate main ideas and supporting details; make inferences, and understand common idioms and expressions. In addition, students will learn strategies which will help them to read faster and more effectively.  Course activities include reading and vocabulary assignments, discussions, and presentations.

Pre-requisite: None

Note: For the student admitted in AY 2016/2017 onwards who are placed in to EELC1001 or EELC1002

 

EELC1008   GRAMMAR & WRITING IMPROVEMENT I

This is a one-semester course for elementary English language level students. Students have three class hours every week. This course uses the English sentence as a basic concept unit and builds upon the sentence toward academic paragraphs with topic, explanation, example, and link sentences. Students learn to recognize sentence-level errors such as subject-verb agreement and tense consistency; they identify paragraph-level errors such as cohesion and coherence. Basic academic vocabulary is also covered.

Global Skills Development in English Language Learning such as communication and collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, global citizenship, learner wellbeing, and digital literacies will be incorporated where appropriate.

Pre-requisite: None

Note: Only for the students who are placed in to E1a and IE1 (On ELC discretion)

 

EELC1009  GRAMMAR & WRITING IMPROVEMENT II

These one-semester three-credit courses will focus on basic sentence structure for simple and compound sentences, expanding to complex sentence structures as students become more proficient. Editing to recognize sentence- and paragraph-level errors such as subject-verb agreement, pronouns and plural forms, use of referents and transitions, and problems with sentence fragments will also be covered.

Pre-requisite: None

Note: For the student admitted in AY 2016/2017 onwards who are placed in to EELC1001 or EELC1002

 

EELC2000/2001 English for Business and Professional Contexts I / II

Students will acquire skills and improve their ability in using English as an international language for business and professional communication. Using authentic texts as well as digital resources, the content of the course focuses on knowledge and skills required in various business management contexts including finance, human resources, marketing, production and services management. Emphasis is on listening and speaking skills for meetings, negotiations, presentations, and social situations. Up-to-date texts are used to develop reading and writing skills needed in business correspondence such as emails, minutes of meeting, business letters, and reports through the medium of English.

Pre-requisite: EELC1001/EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note:  Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC2004/2005  INTRODUCTION TO ACADEMIC WRITING I / II

These two courses cover the basic skills students need for academic writing. Students will be taught writing techniques such as planning, drafting, and revising. In the second semester the main focus will be on the revision of papers using self- and peer-evaluation. Students will also be taught the basic skills of how to locate, evaluate, and document sources. Students are expected to learn these skills through analyzing sample papers, engaging in process writing, and responding to papers written by their peers. Upon completion of these courses, students are expected to have acquired the technical knowledge of how to write and organize a basic academic paper.

Prerequisite: EELC1001/EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note:  Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC2006  SPEAKING AND FLUENCY

These courses aim to help students improve their English language skills, especially in regard to fluency and accuracy in spoken English. Speaking and Fluency course topics include, but are not limited to, pronunciation, intonation, and word stress with students asked to practice English in a host of different language settings.  Students will explore current theory and practice of how to be a more effective user of English when speaking for various purposes.  In the Public Speaking course, a review of current theories and practices regarding effective presentation skills will lead to an application of those skills when speaking for various audiences and purposes. Students will be asked to engage in critical review of themselves and others with an aim toward setting and meeting individual goals as they work to improve their expressive and persuasive skills.

Prerequisite: EELC1001/EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note: Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC2007 PUBLIC SPEAKING IN ENGLISH: ORAL PRESENTATION SKILLS

This course will help students improve their English language skills, especially their fluency and accuracy in spoken English. The course topics include, but are not limited to, practicing pronunciation, intonation, and word stress in English in a host of different language settings. Students will explore current theory and practice of how to be a more effective user of English when speaking for various purposes. Students will be asked to engage in critical review of themselves and others, with a view to setting and meeting individual goals as they work to improve their expressive and persuasive skills.

Prerequisite: EELC1001/EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note: Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC2008   Academic English: Speaking

This is a one-semester Academic English course for students with an intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. The course requires students to apply the skills they have learned in previous University English or Academic English course(s). Additionally, students will learn to use introductory academic speaking skills. These skills include: logical persuasion, information sharing, meeting facilitation, impromptu speaking, and responding to questions. Students are expected to analyze sample academic speeches/presentations for discipline-specific academic features in preparation for advanced academic speaking. Depending on students’ disciplines, they will be introduced to different genres in academic speaking (e.g. oral reports, persuasive/informative speeches, poster presentations, discussions, and oral reflections, etc.).

Pre-requisite: EELC1003/EELC1013 or tested out

 

EELC2009   Academic English: Writing

This is a one-semester Academic English course for students with an intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. The course requires students to apply the skills they have learned in University English or Academic English course(s). Additionally, students will learn to use introductory academic writing skills. These skills include: writing summaries and responses, conducting secondary research, evaluating sources, documenting the research process, considering the rhetorical situation, making an argument, paraphrasing from sources, using academic language, and writing coherently. Students are expected to analyze sample academic text for discipline-specific academic features in preparation for advanced academic writing. Depending on students’ disciplines, they will be introduced to different genres in academic writing (e.g. essays, reports, case studies, research proposals, book reviews, literature reviews, reflective writing, etc.).

Pre-requisite: EELC1003/EELC1013 or tested out

 

EELC2010   Academic English: Project-based Learning

This is a one-semester Academic English course for students with an intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. The course requires students to apply the skills they have learned in University English or Academic English course(s). In groups, students will learn to use introductory academic writing and speaking skills to design and implement their multigenre/multimodal projects. These skills include: primary/secondary research, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, writing/presentation skills, teamwork, etc. Through experiential learning, students will be guided to observe, collect information, persuade, and generate a writing/speaking product.

Pre-requisite: EELC1003/EELC1013 or tested out

 

EELC2011   English Speaking for Academic Research

This is a one-semester academic speaking course for students with an upper-intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. The course also addresses the information literacy and higher-order thinking skills necessary for conducting extensive secondary research, constructing ideas, providing evidential support, and structuring ideas coherently in spoken academic settings. Students develop both verbal and non-verbal communication in small and large group academic settings. Students will critically evaluate their own and others’ performances, and will learn how to utilize a variety of technology-enhanced communication tools. Other skills addressed in this course include critical thinking and argumentation.

Pre-requisite: EELC2008, EELC2009, EELC2010 or placed at this level or tested out

 

EELC2012   English Writing for Academic Research

This is a one-semester academic writing course for students with an upper-intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. This course addresses the information literacy and higher-order thinking skills necessary for conducting extensive secondary research, providing evidential support, and structuring ideas in coherent written academic texts. Students spend time responding to multiple drafts of peer academic papers to improve precision and clarity in the writing process. Other specific skills addressed in this course are critical thinking and argumentation

Pre-requisite: EELC2008, EELC2009, EELC2010 or placed at this level or tested out

 

EELC2013   English Integrated Skills for Academic Research

This is a one-semester integrated academic language course for students with an upper-intermediate English language level. Students have three class hours every week. Students will engage in data gathering, analysis and interpretation skills and communicate research results effectively in academic presentation or report formats. Students will critically evaluate their own and others’ performances, and will learn to utilize a variety of technology-enhanced tools to aid in preparing and communicating academic concepts and findings. Upon completion, students are expected to have acquired a basic understanding of primary academic research methods and have developed techniques to effectively communicate concepts and research results.

Pre-requisite: EELC2008, EELC2009, EELC2010 or placed at this level or tested out

 

EELC3004/3005  ADVANCED ACADEMIC WRITING I / II

These one-semester three-credit writing courses will enable students to express themselves coherently when engaged in written academic discourse. The courses offer intensive work and instruction in writing skills through the discussion and analysis of assigned readings. Students spend time responding to multiple drafts of peer academic papers to improve precision and clarity in the writing process. Other necessary skills addressed in these courses are identifying and making logical arguments as well as avoiding faulty reasoning. Upon completion of these courses, students are expected to have acquired the confidence and techniques to write academic papers in a professional writing style.

Pre-requisite: EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note: Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC3006/3007  ADVANCED SPEAKING I / II

These courses emphasize elements of both verbal and non-verbal communication in public settings. Students will engage in a variety of public speaking activities, will critically evaluate their own and others’ performances, and will learn how to utilize presentation tools such as handouts and PowerPoint. Students should enhance their confidence in speaking and demonstrate effective oral presentation skills.

Pre-requisite: EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note:  Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC3008/3009  ADVANCED INTEGRATED SKILLS I / II

These one-semester three-credit courses may use a content- or theme-based approach to engage students in critical thinking, logical analysis, persuasion/argumentation, and other high level language skills required in academic English. Needs analysis will help determine which skills to emphasize each semester. Students will be expected to work independently and in groups. Topics may address current events as well as participants’ major fields of study. Class materials will reflect the language level expected of high-intermediate to advanced level students whether they plan to enter the workforce or pursue graduate studies in English.

Pre-requisite: EELC1002/EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note: Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC3010/3011  INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TUTORING I / II

This 3-credit elective course offers students an opportunity to experience English language tutorials related to writing, speaking, and other language development and improvement skills. In a seminar format with the course instructor, students 1) learn about tutoring theories and one-on-one and/or small group tutoring strategies, 2) practice tutoring, and 3) critique each other’s tutorials.

Students who are interested to continue accruing their tutoring experience may elect to take Introduction to English Language Tutoring II as an extension of Introduction to English Language Tutoring I. Introduction to English Language Tutoring I is not a prerequisite of Introduction to English Language Tutoring II, and students may enrol in one or both semesters of this course depending on the number of credits they wish to earn. Students are not required to take these two courses in sequence.

Pre-requisite: EELC1003 or permission of instructor

Note: Students who are placed into English Electives or approved for test-out of all English language courses based on the placement/admission assessments may enroll in this course.

 

EELC4004  ACADEMIC RESEARCH WRITING WORKSHOP

This is a 3-credit elective writing course for students who need writing help when completing an undergraduate or graduate thesis. The course emphasizes the recursive nature of the writing process and takes students through the different stages of planning, drafting, and revising. The course will introduce students to methods of supporting arguments, positions, and points of view within a thesis, including various forms of citation and documentation of references. Students receive instructor feedback that focuses on readability, including cohesion and coherence. They also critique each other’s writing, with an emphasis on the development of self-revision. Students will examine the various genres within thesis writing and evaluate the effectiveness of these writing styles. In particular, students will need to demonstrate an understanding of academic writing as a series of expert practices that are situated within specific disciplines, and to develop the necessary skills for reading and writing within those disciplines.

Pre-requisite:  None

Special Topic Electives (Meet 80 minutes/week for one semester)

EELC2002 SPECIAL TOPIC ENGLISH LEVEL II A

Pre-requisite: None

EELC3000 SPECIAL TOPIC ENGLISH LEVEL III A

Pre-requisite: None

EELC4000 SPECIAL TOPIC ENGLISH LEVEL IV A

Pre-requisite: None

Notes:  Special Topic courses meet once a week (1.5 hours) and carry 1 credit.  They are meant to encourage students to take an English class for enjoyment or self-improvement and to be intrinsically motivated to sign up for and attend the class.  At level II, one special topics class will be announced at each level each semester and at levels III and IV, two special topics classes will be announced at each level each semester.  However, a minimum number of students will be required by the end of drop-and-add for the class to actually be offered.

GELH2000  Creativity and Writing: English for a Global Readership

In this course students learn to express themselves creatively through the medium of English. While the main emphasis is on story making, students experience a range of creative texts (including stories, poems, songs and films), as models for their own imaginative work. Students will learn to write simple texts in key creative genres: for instance different types of poem, short story and life writing (biography and autobiography). Learning to tell and write stories, individually and in groups, students gain confidence in expressing themselves and in constructing a narrative from different points of view. Working from lecture to discussion mode, class time is largely devoted to understanding how simple stories work and to practising basic techniques of storytelling. Group work, in-class performance and writing for a global audience are integral to the course. Reading and homework assignments set from week to week challenge the student to create engaging creative texts from memory and imagination. Assessment is by individual portfolio including an agreed combination of individual and group work in different genres.

Pre-requisite: None