Academic English Program

ESL Credit Classes

Who are these ESL classes for?

  • International students admitted to the University with TOEFL scores below 213 for the computer-based test (CBT), below 550 for the paper-based test (PBT), and below 79 for the internet-based test (iBT). 
  • Undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral students who want to upgrade their English skills in order to be more effective in their studies, research, and work at the University
  • University employees and other community members

What ESL classes are available?

Classes on English grammar, English reading and composition skills, and English speaking and listening skills (including pronunciation) are available at two levels:

  • Advanced ESL for students with TOEFL scores between 153-187 (CBT), 477-517 (PBT), and  53-67 (iBT). 
  • Academic ESL for students with TOEFL scores above 187 (CBT), 517 (PBT), and 67 (iBT). 

Click here for a link to the ESL classes offered during Spring Semester 2008.

You must contact the ESL Program to take these classes:

  • Phone: 612-624-4000 or 1-800-234-6564 (toll free outside the metro area)
  • E-mail: esl@umn.edu
  • Office: 101 Wesbrook Hall, 77 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455

Advanced ESL Classes

For students with TOEFL scores between 153-187 (CBT), 477-517 (PBT), and  53-67 (iBT). 

ESL 3101. Advanced English Grammar. (4 credits)
Form, meaning, and use of common English grammatical structures in written/oral discourse.  Adverb, adjective, and noun clauses.  Verb tense, aspect, and modality.  Grammar beyond sentence level.  Application to development of revision/editing skills.

ESL 3201. Advanced English Reading and Composition. (5 credits)
Reading skills include comprehension of main ideas, organization, and support in longer authentic English texts, and expanded vocabulary comprehension. Composition skills include fluency, focus, and persuasiveness through draft and revision -- focusing on accuracy and variety of expression.

ESL 3501. Advanced Listening and Speaking. (5 credits)
Speaking and understanding naturally spoken English in academic activities such as lecture comprehension, note-taking, participation in class discussions, and oral presentations.

ESL 3551. English Pronunciation. (4 credits)
Improving the production and perception of the sounds of the English Language: intelligibility of individual sounds, rhythm, intonation, word and sentence stress, and linking phenomena in fast speech. Rules of pronunciation in relation to the rules of English spelling.

Academic ESL Classes

For students with C-TOEFL scores above 187 (CBT), 517 (PBT), and 67 (iBT). 

ESL 3102. English Grammar for Academic Purposes. (4 credits)
A review of the form, meaning, and use of complex English grammatical structures used in academic written and oral discourse.  Topics include subordination, coordination, and complex referential expressions; complementation; lexical grammar; and independent editing of academic writing.

ESL 3202. Academic Reading and Composition. (5 credits)
Critical analysis of the academic writer's purpose, main ideas, and supporting evidence in English language texts.  Expansion of academic vocabulary.  Use of source material in writing on revision to improve fluency and accuracy.

ESL 3302. Writing for Academic Purposes. (4 credits)
Writing process.  Idea generation/development, drafting, revision, editing.  Focuses on different genres of academic writing, including critical response to scholarly argument, scholarly review, and incorporation of source material in writing.  "Rush writing" under time pressure to improve fluency in writing.

ESL 3502. Academic Listening and Speaking. (5 credits)
Understand lectures and academic discussions, with focus on critical listening; produce academic presentations and participate in discussions on subjects of general academic interest.  Cross-cultural awareness and strategies for giving and defending opinions.

ESL 3602. Speaking for Academic Purposes. (4 credits)
Students participate in American academic interactions of various types: lectures, presentations, seminar-style discussions, informal exchanges.  Presenting oneself professionally/socially in collegial settings with accuracy, variety, and flexibility.

Other ESL Classes

ESL 3993. Directed Studies. (1-5 credits)