Course Descriptions
Courses are grouped by course type headings, along with lecture hours and lab instructional
hours, if applicable. For each level, the courses are listed with a course title
and codes. Each clock hour of instruction or lab has a 10-minute break; each instructional
hour is 50 minutes long. For each course, after its description, there are prerequisites
that students must complete with a passing grade of “C” or better.
Listening/Speaking (Lecture hours: 80/level or 40/course)
The goal of the Listening/Speaking courses is to develop and refine students’ English
language skills. At the introductory levels, students encounter language necessary
for everyday communication. Students are introduced to many useful language functions,
vocabulary, grammar points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of level-appropriate
thematic topics and receptive task-based activities. As students advance, they begin
to focus on language and skills necessary for academic success. Students in intermediate
and advanced levels encounter increasingly complex vocabulary, language functions,
grammar points, and pronunciation techniques. In all levels, students explore a
variety of level-appropriate topics and themes.
Beginner (L/S 101 & 102): The goal of these courses is to develop students’
basic listening and speaking skills necessary for everyday language at the low-beginner
level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice and apply listening
skills in comprehension activities and utilize basic vocabulary words, grammar points,
and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks and activities appropriate for
the low-beginner level. Prerequisite: None
High Beginner (L/S 201 & 202): The goal of these courses is to further develop
students’ basic listening and speaking skills necessary for everyday language use
at the high-beginner level. The objectives for these courses are for students to
practice and apply listening skills in comprehension activities and utilize basic
vocabulary words, grammar points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks
and activities appropriate for the high-beginner level. Prerequisite: L/S 102 and
R/W 102
Low Intermediate (L/S 301, 302): The goal of these courses is to broaden
and develop students’ listening and speaking skills for academic success at the
low-intermediate level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice
and apply listening skills in comprehension activities and utilize common vocabulary
words, grammar points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks and activities
appropriate for the low-intermediate level. Prerequisite: L/S 202 and R/W 202
Intermediate (L/S 401, 402): The goal of these courses is to further develop
and enhance students’ listening and speaking skills necessary for academic success
at the intermediate level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice
and apply listening skills in comprehension activities and utilize common vocabulary
words, grammar points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks and activities
appropriate for the intermediate level. Prerequisite: L/S 302 and R/W 302
High Intermediate (L/S 501, 502): The goal of these courses is to broaden
and deepen students’ listening and speaking skills for academic success at the high-intermediate
level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice and apply listening
skills in comprehension activities and utilize vocabulary words, grammar points,
and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks and activities appropriate for
the high-intermediate level. Prerequisite: L/S 402 and R/W 402
Advanced (L/S 601, 602): The goal of these courses is to expand and further
refine students’ listening and speaking skills for academic success at the advanced
level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice and apply listening
skills in comprehension activities and utilize advanced vocabulary words, grammar
points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of tasks and activities appropriate
for the advanced level. Prerequisite: L/S 502 and R/W 502
Reading/Writing (Lecture hours: 80/level or 40/course)
The goal of the Reading/Writing courses is to develop and refine students’ English
language skills. At the introductory levels, students encounter language necessary
for everyday communication. Students are introduced to many useful language functions,
vocabulary words, grammar points, and pronunciation techniques in a variety of level-appropriate
thematic topics and receptive task-based activities. As students advance, they begin
to focus on language and skills necessary for academic success. Students in intermediate
and advanced levels encounter increasingly complex vocabulary words, language functions,
grammar points, and pronunciation techniques. In all levels, students explore a
variety of level-appropriate topics and themes.
Beginner (R/W 101 & 102): The goal of these courses is to develop students’
basic reading and writing skills at the low-beginner level. The objectives of these
courses are for students to practice and apply reading and writing skills in a variety
of basic tasks and activities incorporating vocabulary words and grammatical principles
appropriate for the low-beginner level. Prerequisite: None
High Beginner (R/W 201 & 202): The goal of these courses is to further develop
students’ basic reading and writing skills at the high-beginner level. The objective
of these courses are for students to practice and apply reading strategies and writing
skills in a variety of basic tasks and activities incorporating vocabulary words,
grammatical principles, and organizational patterns appropriate for the high-beginner
level. Prerequisite: R/W 102 and L/S 102
Low Intermediate (R/W 301 & 302): The goal of these courses is to broaden
and develop students’ reading and writing skills for academic success at the low-intermediate
level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice and apply reading
and writing strategies and incorporate vocabulary, grammatical principles, and specific
paragraph structure and rhetorical patterns in a variety of tasks and activities
appropriate for the low-intermediate level. Prerequisite: R/W 202 and L/S 202
Intermediate (R/W 401 & 402): The goal of these courses is to develop and
enhance students’ reading and writing skills necessary for academic success at the
intermediate level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice
and apply reading and writing strategies and incorporate vocabulary, grammatical
principles, and specific paragraph structure and rhetorical patterns in a variety
of tasks and activities appropriate for the intermediate level. Prerequisite: R/W
302 and L/S 302
High Intermediate (R/W 501 & 502): The goal of these courses is to deepen
and broaden students’ reading and writing skills necessary for academic success
at the high-intermediate level. The objectives of these courses are for students
to practice and apply reading and writing strategies and incorporate vocabulary,
grammatical principles, and specific paragraph structure and rhetorical patterns
in a variety of tasks and activities appropriate for the high-intermediate level.
Prerequisite: R/W 402 and L/S 402
Advanced (R/W 601 & 602): The goal of these courses is to expand and further
refine students’ reading and writing skills necessary for academic success at the
advanced level. The objectives of these courses are for students to practice and
utilize reading and writing strategies and incorporate vocabulary, grammatical principles,
and specific paragraph structure and rhetorical patterns in a variety of tasks and
activities appropriate for the advanced level. Prerequisite: R/W 502 and L/S 502
Grammar (Lecture: 40 hours per level or 20 hours per course)
The purpose of the Grammar courses is to supplement POLY’s core curriculum, the
Reading/Writing and Listening/Speaking series, in which the focus is reading, writing,
listening, and speaking skills. The Grammar courses focus on the structure of the
English language by exposing the students to grammar in context and allowing students
to use and practice grammar forms in structured and free response practice tasks.
Students taking the Grammar courses acquire a deeper knowledge of grammar, to enhance
their overall English skills.
Beginner (GR 101, 102): These courses are an introduction to basic English
grammar for beginners and false beginners. The goal is for students to build a basic
foundation of English grammar and usage. The objectives of these courses are for
students to engage in various level-appropriate activities in which they apply basic
English grammar structures to everyday usage. The courses will not be based solely
on lecturing on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite: None
High Beginner (GR 201, 202): These courses are an introduction to basic English
grammar for high-beginners. The goal is for students to further build a basic foundation
of English grammar and usage. The objectives of these courses are for students to
engage in various level-appropriate activities in which they apply basic English
grammar structures to everyday usage. The courses will not be based solely on lecturing
on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite: L/S 102, R/W 102, or GR 102
Low Intermediate (GR 301, 302): These courses are for low-intermediate level
students. The goal is for students to build their knowledge of somewhat complex
English grammar structure and usage, which can help all areas of language use. The
objectives of these courses are for students to engage in various level-appropriate
activities in which they apply somewhat complex English grammar concepts and usage
leading to an internalization of the language. The courses will not be based solely
on lecturing on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite: L/S 202, R/W
202, or GR 202
Intermediate (GR 401, 402): These courses are for intermediate level students.
The goal is for students to further build their knowledge of somewhat complex English
grammar structure and usage, which can help all areas of language use. The objectives
of these courses are for students to engage in various level-appropriate activities
in which they apply somewhat complex English grammar concepts and usage leading
to a deeper understanding an internalization of the language. The courses will not
be based solely on lecturing on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite:
L/S 302, R/W 302, or GR 302
High Intermediate (GR 501, 502): These courses are for high-intermediate
level students. The goal is for students to deepen their knowledge of complex English
grammar structure and usage, which can help all areas of language use. The objectives
of these courses are for students to engage in various level-appropriate activities
in which they apply complex English grammar concepts and usage leading to a deeper
understanding an internalization of the language. The courses will not be based
solely on lecturing on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite: L/S 402,
R/W 402, or GR 402
Advanced (GR 601, 602): These courses are for advanced level students. The
goal is for students to extensively deepen their knowledge of complex English grammar
structure and usage, which can help all areas of language use. The objectives of
these courses are for students to engage in various level-appropriate activities
in which they apply very complex English grammar concepts and usage leading to a
deeper understanding an internalization of the language. The courses will not be
based solely on lecturing on grammatical patterns and terminology. Prerequisite:
L/S 502, R/W 502, or GR 502
Electives (Lecture hours: 40/level or 20/course) )
The purpose of the elective courses is to supplement POLY’s core courses, the Reading/Writing
and Listening/Speaking courses. In the elective courses, the emphasis is on pronunciation
and idioms. Additionally, students are introduced to format of and test taking strategies
for TOEFL iBT. By taking elective courses, students can enhance their English language
skills through further study of word stress, intonation, common American idioms,
as well as being introduced to the TOEFL iBT exam.
Beginner (EPr 101 & 102): The goal of these courses is to introduce students
to IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) symbols, increase their awareness of articulators,
and develop students’ basic pronunciation skills at the beginner level. The objectives
of these courses are for students to explore and practice basic pronunciation techniques
in a variety of productive and receptive tasks and activities appropriate for the
beginner level. Prerequisite: None
High Beginner (EPr 201 & 202): The goal of these courses is to further develop
students’ pronunciation skills and understanding of IPA symbols and articulators
at the intermediate level. The objectives of these courses are for students to explore
and practice pronunciation techniques in a variety of productive and receptive tasks
and activities appropriate for the intermediate level. Prerequisite: L/S 102, R/W
102 or EPr 102
Low Intermediate (EId 301 & 302): The goal of these courses is to increase
students’ awareness of the role of idiomatic expressions in the English language,
develop students’ understanding of common idiomatic expressions and related aspects
of pronunciation at the beginner level. The objectives of these courses are for
students to practice basic idiomatic expression and pronunciation techniques in
a variety of productive and receptive activities appropriate for the low intermediate
level. Prerequisite: L/S 202, R/W 202, or EPr 202
Intermediate (EId 401 & 402): The goal of these courses is to further develop
students’ knowledge of idiomatic expressions, through focusing on more complex idiomatic
expressions, and enhancing students’ pronunciation related to these expressions.
The objectives of these courses are for students to practice idiomatic expression
and pronunciation techniques in a variety of productive and receptive activities
appropriate for the intermediate level. Prerequisite: L/S 302, R/W 302, or EId 302
High Intermediate (ETf 501 and 502): The goal of these courses is to familiarize
students with the TOEFL iBT format and components and develop students’ English
and test taking skills. The objectives of these courses are to assist students in
identifying strengths and areas for improvement with their language skills and review
and expand upon students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Additionally,
students will strengthen note-taking skills, develop and apply test-taking strategies,
build vocabulary and deepen their understanding of selected grammar points in level
appropriate receptive and productive tasks involving basic academic and campus life
passages. Prerequisite: R/W 402, L/S 402, or EId 402
Advanced (ETf 601 and 602): The goal of these courses is to familiarize students
with the TOEFL iBT format and components and develop students English and test taking
skills. The objectives of these courses are to assist students in identifying strengths
and areas for improvement with their language skills and review and expand upon
students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Additionally students
will strengthen note-taking skills, develop and apply test taking strategies, build
vocabulary and deepen their understanding of selected grammar points in level appropriate
receptive and productive tasks involving basic academic and campus life passages.
Prerequisite: R/W 502, L/S 502, or ETf 502
TOEFL Preparation (Lecture & Lab hours: 256 & 64/level or 64 & 16/course)
The TOEFL Preparation courses prepare students to take the TOEFL iBT. Each TOEFL
Preparation course addresses core English language skills (reading, writing, speaking,
and listening) while expanding on vocabulary and complex grammar points and sentence
structure. Furthermore, students are exposed to a variety of test taking strategies
through TOEFL task-based practice activities, computer based lab assignments, and
practice exams simulating the TOEFL iBT.
TOEFL Prep (701, 702, 703, and 704): The goal of these courses is for students
to further analyze the TOEFL iBT format and its components and refine students’
English and test taking skills. The objectives of these courses are to strengthen
students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, reinforce note-taking
skills, broaden test-taking strategies, further build vocabulary, and deepen students
understanding of more complex grammar points in level appropriate receptive and
productive tasks involving complex academic and campus life passages. Prerequisite:
R/W 502 and L/S 502, or ETf 502