School History

This course serves as a pre-introduction to the English language. Students participate in interactive activities often using the Total Physical Response (TPR) method to learn and practice rudimentary English vocabulary such as greetings, the alphabet, numbers, colors, food, family, money and transportation words. Through the communicative classes, students will be able to ask basic questions, use verbs in present tense and make affirmative and negative statements.

In this introduction to English course, students are provided the opportunity to review present tense subject-verb agreement. Students will practice using articles, prepositions of place and time, possessive adjectives and are introduced to the present perfect continuous tense. Students are able to develop their vocabulary through real world class topics such as directions, schedules, housing, bills, transportation, sports and activities, descriptions of places, jobs and clothes.

In this pre-elementary course, there is an emphasis on asking Wh- questions in present and past tense. Students will continue to read, speak and write using present progressive. Students will also be able to make, accept or decline offers and invitations. Students are able to develop their vocabulary through everyday topics such as plans and directions, food, descriptions of people, the library, health and shopping for the perfect gift.

In this course, students will be able to ask information questions. Students learn to make comparisons and use superlatives. Students are introduced to  uses of the future tense. They continue to practice past tense with an emphasis on irregular past tense verbs. Students also learn how to ask for and give advice  Students are able to develop their vocabulary through real world topics through discussions about movies, books, music, healthy living, sports, laws, money and housing.

In this pre-intermediate course, students are introduced to present perfect tense and the if clauses, they practice discussing hypothetical situations using conditionals. Students continue to develop their vocabulary through advanced real world topics which include comparing prices after discounts, planning healthy meals, living green, assessing work history, balancing a budget and recognizing and responding to scams. There is an increased focus on writing and proofreading. 

In this intermediate course, students continue to develop their skills and review all tenses that were learned in prior levels through research, essays writing and making presentations. Students discuss issues and report quoted speech. They learn to distinguish between active and passive voice. They use connectors in order to speak and write more fluently. They  develop vocabulary through real world topics such as media habits, news, transportation, diet and exercise and medical care. 

In this class adult learners build on their language proficiency by preparing them for practical life-skill roles in the community, family and at work. Multilevel activities and guided conversation methodology integrates vocabulary and grammar through fun, interactive student-centered activities. This course promotes teamwork, critical thinking and community.

In this elective course, students practice pronouncing different minimal pairs with similar vowel or consonant sounds. Students also learn about stress, intonation and the ‘melody’ of the language. Students are taught about silent letters, homophones and the Philadelphia regional accent. Students use the color vowel chart and learn how to they can use it to practice the vocabulary of their main course.

In this elective course, students are introduced to American culture. The class offers students the opportunity to read, interpret and discuss texts on varied cultural subject such as politics, religion, business and recreation. Students are encouraged to discuss and compare their own values with the ones discussed in the readings.

In this elective course, students are able to reinforce the skills that they are learning in their main course through interactive activities and discussions. This class often pairs students up with a student of possibly another level or requires the students to work together as a group. This multi-level student interaction promotes meaningful interaction in the target language. 

This information-rich course promotes curiosity and challenges learners to think critically and communicate effectively in English. The course engages students with interesting topics such as health, the environment, technology, travelling and world history. Some of the regular class activities include analyzing in-depth articles, videos, and conversation listening tracks. Students will be expected to participate in lively class discussions, debate ideas, give presentations and write essays. 

In this course comprehensive grammar, vocabulary, functions, pronunciation and skills syllabuses address the needs of contemporary students, enriching communication and critical thinking.

Vocabulary is introduced thematically with further focus at lexical and morphological levels in word focus and word building sections.

Real Life lessons model and practice everyday functions and pronunciation is dealt with in depth.

Every lesson ends with a productive outcome, such as speaking or writing.

 The advanced II course takes students to a higher level of proficiency in order to become effective communicators. The carefully constructed grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing syllabuses helps students develop conversation strategies and students’ ability to effectively manage a wide range of spoken interactions in formal and informal contexts. The course focuses on the process and the skills that are essential for successful academic writing, especially in examinations. 

 The mastery course is intended for high level ESL students who have a solid foundation in the fundamentals of English grammar. This course provides students with a sophisticated analysis of the grammatical structures of English and ample opportunities to practice using them, with the objective of increasing the student's competence in both conversational and written English. The course is designed for both pre-university and nonacademic students.