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 and succeed in less familiar cultural and academic settings. Dedman College offers the following ESL courses to students from all schools and departments of SMU. Some courses are dedicated to non-SMU affiliated students for academic readiness and professional success.
Students may apply on the ESL website. More information about the ESL Program is available on the website or from the director, Martha Kwon (hyunjook@smu.edu).
Non-Credit ESL Courses for SMU Students
These courses are free of charge, non-credit bearing, and students receive a Pass or Fail on their transcript according to whether or not these requirements are successfully fulfilled. ESL program approval is required by submitting an online application.
ESL 1001/1002 (0). ESL Communication Skills I/II
The goal of this course is to improve ESL students’ interactive skills, primarily oral/aural (speaking, listening, giving presentations) and some reading/writing—while gaining a deeper understanding of American culture, customs, attitudes, and idiomatic usage of the language. Building on skills developed in ESL 1001, this knowledge and practice is intended to help students participate more fully in everyday American life, both inside and outside the classroom. ESL 1001 is recommended as a precursor but is not a prerequisite.
ESL 3001 (0). Advanced Grammer 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.
ESL 3002 (0). Advanced Academic Writing
The goal of this course is to help students explore and practice writing skills critical to their particular field of specialization. Academic texts are used as a basis for out-of-class writing assignments and a final research project. Most classes will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of key academic writing styles, with some class time set aside for writing workshops and one-on-one tutorials. 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.
ESL 4001 (0). ESL Pronunciation Skills
The goal of this course is to improve advanced ESL speakers’ pronunciation for effective and successful communication in academic settings. Students will gain awareness of their own weaknesses in pronunciation and with the instructor develop strategies and exercises to improve overall communication skills. Students will learn to recognize and use English intonation, rhythm, syllable stress, focus words, thought groups, vowel and consonant sounds, linking, and other speaking features.
ESL 6001/6002 (0). Seminar for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
This course is based on communication and language skills developed in ESL 6001 but will deal more specifically with issues of student-teacher interaction, such as cross-cultural communication within the university classroom and pedagogical skills related to students’ field of specialization. The Case Studies approach will be implemented for the purpose of examining typical university-level classroom/academic situations, and you will take part in experiential learning activities such as microteaching. This course is limited to SMU graduate students.
Intensive English Program (IEP) Courses for Non-SMU Students
Enrollment in the IEP courses is open to students and professionals, who are not matriculated into a degree program at SMU or other U.S. universities. ESL program approval is required by submitting an online application. For international students, appropriate immigration status is required. Once accepted, students are given the IEP Placement Test and are assigned to one of six levels: Beginning, Upper Beginning, Lower Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced. The courses are offered year-round (Fall/Spring/May & Summer). The Intensive English Program runs with an its own academic calendar, different from the SMU academic calendar. Separate tuition & fees are charged.
ESL 20XX (0). Intensive English Program
All 2000-level courses are non-credit bearing and exclusive to Intensive English Program. These courses are designed to prepare students, scholars, and professionals for the purposes such as (1) to meet the language requirement for full admission to a degree program at SMU (2) to be eligible for admission to other US universities, or (3) to improve written and oral English skills in professional settings. The main components of the IEP courses consist of integrated skills of English for academic purposes, English proficiency test preparation, and multi-cultural competencies for successful communication with people from diverse backgrounds of culture, language, religion, and education.
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 out-side 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.
The mission of SMU Global and Online (SMU GO) is to deliver innovative learning experiences that boost careers and transform lives. SMU GO provides adult learners with professional development training and offers diverse opportunities in lifelong learning. SMU GO also partners with academic units across the university to deliver online graduate programs.
SMU Global and Online (SMU GO) has three program divisions; Academic Programs, SMU Professional and Online (SMU PRO) and Lifelong Learning.
Academic Programs idelivers online graduate degrees and certificates for an academic unit (i.e., college or school) at SMU. The Academic Program division supports the academic units to develop, promote, and support their online degrees and certificates with marketing, admissions, enrollment management, and student success coaching for adult professional online students.
SMU PRO offers a wide range of professional certificates and short courses to help students advance in their careers or transition successfully to new ones. 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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