English as a Second Language Program
www.smu.edu/esl
Students whose first language is not English may encounter special challenges as they strive to function efficiently in the unfamiliar language and culture of an American university setting. Dedman College offers the following ESL resources to students from all schools and departments of SMU. Students may apply on the ESL website.
More information about the ESL Program is available on the website or from the director, John E. Wheeler (jwheeler@smu.edu).
The Courses (ESL)
ESL 1001 (0). ESL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The goal of this course is to improve ESL students’ oral and aural interactive skills in speaking, giving presentations, pronunciation, listening, and American idiomatic usage so that they may become more participatory in their classes and integrate more readily with their native English-speaking peers. It is designed to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students who may be fully competent in their field of study yet require specialized training to effectively communicate in an American class-room setting. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 1002 (0). ESL COMMUNICATION SKILLS II. Building on skills developed in ESL 1001, students make use of their knowledge and practice to explore various aspects of American studies. In addition to speaking and presentation skills, reading and writing are also exploited as a means for students to gain a deeper understanding of American culture, customs, attitudes, and idiomatic use of the language. The course is noncredit and no-fee, and is transcripted as pass or fail. ESL 1001 is recommended as a precursor but is not a prerequisite. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 20XX (0). INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM. All 2000-level ESL courses are exclusive to the Intensive English Program. This multilevel, yearlong program is designed to prepare students and professionals for academic success at the university level. The course of study consists of English for academic purposes, TOEFL-related skills, and American culture. It is open to currently enrolled and newly incoming students, as well as to those not affiliated with SMU. This is a noncredit, nontranscripted program, and separate tuition fees are charged. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 3001 (0). ADVANCED GRAMMAR FOR WRITERS. This course helps students develop their grammar and writing skills within the context of academic readings. Problem areas of English grammar and style are explored through periodic assignments, research documentation methods, and a final research project. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 3002 (0). ADVANCED ACADEMIC WRITING. Building on principles of grammar and style covered in ESL 3001, this course helps students further improve the writing skills needed for their particular academic careers, using academic texts as a basis for out-of-class writing assignments and a final research project. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 4001 (0). ESL PRONUNCIATION SKILLS. Students improve their pronunciation by focusing on sentence stress, rhythm, intonation, and body language while learning to mimic American speech patterns. With the instructor’s assistance and extensive individual feedback, students develop personal strategies and exercises to become more aware of their own weaknesses. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
ESL 6001, 6002 (0). SEMINAR FOR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANTS. Graduate students who speak English as a second language prepare for their teaching responsibilities with undergraduate students taking University Curriculum courses. The main components include language skills needed as international teaching assistants, ITA-related teaching methodology, cross-cultural communication within the American classroom, and presentation skills. Also, examination of case studies, microteaching demonstrations, and periodic out-of-class individual consultations on the student’s language and pedagogical skills. The course is free of charge, noncredit bearing, and transcripted as pass or fail. Prerequisite: ESL Program approval required.
Conversation Buddy Program
At the beginning of each term, all students are notified via campus email of the opportunity to practice their language skills in an informal, one-on-one setting outside the classroom for one to two hours a week.
ESL Self-Study Materials
A collection of materials is available for self-study use at the Fondren Library Information Commons. Students will find materials to help them improve their pronunciation, listening, vocabulary and grammar skills.
Note: Only available for graduate students in either Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences or Lyle School of Engineering.
Since 1953, students and faculty of Southern Methodist University have benefited from its membership in Oak Ridge Associated Universities. ORAU is a consortium of colleges and universities and a management and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. ORAU works with its member institutions to help their students and faculty gain access to federal research facilities throughout the country; to keep its members informed about opportunities for fellowship, scholarship and research appointments; and to organize research alliances among its members.
Through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (the U.S. Department of Energy facility that ORAU operates), undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and faculty enjoy access to a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Students can participate in programs covering a wide variety of disciplines, including business, Earth sciences, epidemiology, engineering, physics, geological sciences, pharmacology, ocean sciences, biomedical sciences, nuclear chemistry and mathematics.
ORAU’s Office of Partnership Development seeks opportunities for partnerships and alliances among ORAU’s members, private industry and major federal facilities. Activities include faculty development programs, such as the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards, the Visiting Industrial Scientist Program and various services to chief research officers.
For more information about ORAU and its programs, students should contact Dr. James E. Quick, ORAU councilor for SMU (214-768-4345), Monnie E. Champion, ORAU corporate secretary (423-576-3306), or visit the ORAU website at www.orau.org.
Our mission is to create innovative learning experiences that will boost your career, surprise you with ideas and transform your life or organization. SMU GO is the place for students to reach their goals for professional development and technical skills enhancement and the go-to source for students with the objective of lifelong learning. We enable the ideal of world changers being shaped everywhere.
SMU Global and Online (SMU GO) has two departments; SMU Professional and Online (SMU PRO) and Lifelong Learning.
SMU PRO offers a wide range of degrees, certificates and short courses to help students advance in their careers or transition successfully to new ones. Masters degrees are offered in conjunction with their respective academic units. Students complete certificates by taking a series of classes over weeks or months, depending on the specialization and the student’s schedule. Additional information and a full listing of current opportunities are available at www.smu.edu/pro.
Lifelong Learning provides noncredit courses that address different cultural, scholarly, personal and professional topics for the community, a practice that has been part of the SMU tradition since 1957. Featuring small classes and individualized attention, SMU Lifelong Learning’s mission is to empower learners of all ages. Our noncredit programs focus on students throughout their educational path in three areas:
Personal Enrichment: Enhancing adults’ lives through courses that cultivate curiosity and creativity, our short-term classes delve into college-level topics, allowing students affordability, flexibility and a challenge. Regardless of previous personal or professional experience, our courses are designed to teach something new. SMU Personal Enrichment classes offer students the opportunity to explore passions, improve their skills and make new friends in a fun, low-pressure learning environment. New classes start throughout the year.
College Prep: Supporting pre-college and undergraduate students’ higher education and career goals from strategies for mastering standardized tests, to STEAM programming focusing on leading-edge technologies, to hands-on projects that encourage critical thinking, creativity and collaboration — our courses are designed to support ambitious middle and high school students in achieving educational goals
Career Success: Amplifying professionals’ work through continuing education, classes focusing on professional tools and resources will help adults develop essential knowledge and refine skills, strengthen their resume, and achieve professional goals through graduate test prep, skills workshops, and customized corporate learning opportunities
Additional information and a full listing of current opportunities are available at www.smu.edu/LifelongLearning.
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