English as a Second Language Program
https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Resources/Students/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 contact the program at eslcourse@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 these courses is to improve ESL students’ interactive skills, primarily oral/aural (speaking, listening, giving presentations) while gaining a deeper understanding of American culture, customs, attitudes, and idiomatic usage of the language. These courses also focus on assisting students 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. Building on skills developed in ESL 1001, ESL 1002 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 3001/3002 (0). Advanced Academic Writing I/II
The goal of these courses 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, ESL 3002 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)
The goal of these courses is to help students develop pedagogical skills as related to ITAs’ professional environment to be successful and effective with cross-cultural communication in university class setting. Based on communication and language skills developed in ESL 6001, ESL 6002 will implement case study approaches, exploring experiential training with presentation skills, teaching techniques, and classroom management. These courses are limited to SMU graduate students and visiting scholars.
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. IEP courses are also open to conditionally admitted students who need to improve their English proficiency to fulfil full admission requirement set by an Undergraduate or Graduate program at SMU. For international students, appropriate immigration status is required. Once accepted, students are assigned to one of the six IEP levels based on an English proficiency test score: Beginning, Upper Beginning, Lower Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced. IEP courses are offered year-round (Fall/Spring/May & Summer-12 weeks of study per term). The Intensive English Program runs with its own academic calendar, different from the SMU academic calendar. IEP tuition & fees rates are charged. For more information, contact the program at iep@smu.edu.
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.
ESL Workshops Series: Speak English with Confidence & Write with Clarity
These workshops are designed to support SMU students with polishing communication skills as well as academic writing skills. Either in-person or virtual participation is available. Resources for independent practice will also be provided. Registration is required.
ESL Online Pronunciation/Academic Writing Consultation for SMU Graduate Students
For students in the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, individual consultations via Zoom are available by appointment. During a 30-minute session, ESL consultants will focus on specific questions or immediate need to practice for research presentation or to revise academic papers. Follow-up sessions can be scheduled as necessary. Students will be responsible for submitting materials to work on during the consultation in advance. Appointment can be made via SMU Booking System.
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.
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 Office of Global, Online and Continuing Education oversees and advances SMU’s online and continuing education portfolio. Its mission is to deliver innovative learning experiences that boost careers and transform lives. The office includes SMU Global and Online (GO) and SMU Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE).
SMU GO partners with academic units across the university to support the development and delivery of online graduate programs for adult learners. SMU GO also works with university stakeholders to establish and update standards and best practices for online faculty training, course development, and other areas critical to ensuring high-quality online programs and courses.
Partnering with faculty and industry professionals, SMU CAPE offers a wide range of noncredit programs to help students advance in their careers or successfully transition to new ones. The SMU CAPE catalog includes certificate programs, boot camps, workshops, short courses, and other offerings in on-campus and online formats.
Additional information and a full listing of current opportunities are available at https://www.smu.edu/Provost/ProvostOffice/CIP/GOCE/Programs.
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