English Language Program

EASL 015 Fundamental Grammar is a high beginner level course.  Students identify and practice basic grammatical structures in both written and oral form, including the simple present, past, and future verb tenses; question forms; plural and singular nouns; and time/number concepts.

EASL 016 Fundamental Writing provides students who speak English as an additional language with instruction and opportunities to write at a fundamental level. Students use and practice the verb forms studied in Grammar courses in their writing assignments and learn to use basic sentence and paragraph structure. Students begin to use fundamental components of the writing process to write about personal and familiar topics. Students use the computer lab for some class work and keep weekly journals to write about their experiences.

EASL 017 Fundamental Reading helps students who speak English as an additional language to improve their understanding of English through reading at a fundamental level. Students build basic vocabulary, develop an understanding of word forms, learn to use reading skills such as skimming and scanning, and discuss ideas through reading selected material.

EASL 018 Fundamental Communications develops students' ability and confidence to conduct fundamental conversations in English about common daily subjects. Students use common functional vocabulary, form simple phrases and questions, and practice high frequency grammatical structures to communicate personal needs, express personal likes and dislikes, and report personal and factual information.

EASL 025 Intermediate Grammar - Verbs provides instruction and opportunities to practice grammar at a lower intermediate level. Students will study, analyze, practice, and discuss selected grammar forms and structures, including verb tenses, time clauses, question patterns, nouns and pronouns, and modals.

EASL 026 Intermediate Writing: Sentence Structures. This course provides students who speak English as an additional language with instruction in writing and opportunities to write at an intermediate level. The course helps students develop their ability to write sentences and paragraphs using the forms and structures studied in their Grammar courses. Students are introduced to the writing process and write descriptive and narrative chronological paragraphs. Students use the computer lab for some class work and also keep weekly journals to write about their experiences.

EASL 027 Intermediate Reading - Vocabulary and Meaning. This course is an intermediate course for students who speak English as an additional language. Students read and discuss selected articles from the textbook and other sources with a focus on developing vocabulary and understanding meaning. Students develop their knowledge of word forms and use reading strategies such as guessing meaning from context in understanding main ideas. Students are encouraged to do supplementary reading and begin to use an English dictionary.

EASL 028 Intermediate Communications - Conversation Skills develops students' ability to communicate beyond the basic skills related to personal and factual topics. Students develop vocabulary and grammar for informal conversations, listen to and practice natural speech patterns, and learn strategies for engaging in everyday conversations and classroom dialogues.

EASL 035 Intermediate Grammar - Structures.  This course provides instruction and opportunities for students who speak English as an additional language to practice grammar at an intermediate level. Students study and practice selected grammar structures, including connectors, gerunds, infinitives, passives, adjective and noun clauses, reported/direct speech, basic conditionals, comparisons, and phrasal verbs.

EASL 036 Intermediate Writing - Expressing Ideas.  This course provides students who speak English as an additional language with instruction in writing and opportunities to write at an intermediate level. This course helps students to develop their ability to write accurate, simple, compound and complex sentences. Students learn to apply components of the writing process to produce clear, well-structured expository paragraphs (e.g. descriptive and narrative) that express meaningful ideas. Students are also introduced to multi-paragraph writing. Students keep weekly journals to write about their experiences.

EASL 037 Intermediate Reading: Current Ideas is an intermediate course for students who speak English as an additional language. Students read and discuss selected simplified and authentic articles from the textbook and other sources with a focus on building vocabulary and knowledge of word forms, applying reading strategies such as predicting and inferring, increasing reading speed, identifying structure, and understanding and responding to current ideas. Students are encouraged to do supplementary reading and use both bilingual and unilingual dictionaries.

EASL 038 Intermediate Communications - Expressing Opinions.  This course provides opportunities for students to take an active role in initiating, sustaining and closing social conversations. Students learn to use relevant vocabulary and idioms as well as a range of intermediate grammatical structures to express opinions on familiar topics in discussions and presentations. Students learn to comprehend and produce a range of functions (e.g. clarifying and requesting clarification). Students also learn to use natural English speech patterns, intonation and rhythm and improve their listening comprehension using a variety of media sources and interpersonal communication. Students begin to take simple notes while listening.

EASL 045 Advanced Grammar:  Complex Verbs. This course is an advanced academic course which is intended to help students, who speak English as an additional language, develop accuracy and gain fluency in the use of verb tenses and related structures such as modals and passives.

EASL 046: Advanced Writing - Paragraph/Essays is an academic course in writing for students who speak English as an additional language. This course includes a focus on advanced elements of effective paragraph writing, an introduction to essay formats in a variety of rhetorical styles, and an introduction to research and paraphrasing. Students use the writing process to develop their academic writing skills and keep a personal journal to develop fluency and to generate reflective ideas. The course consists of a weekly lecture and an interactive writing workshop with the instructor in the computer lab.

EASL 047 Advanced Reading - Contemporary Reading is an advanced academic course which is intended to help students read, analyse and discuss selected modified and authentic contemporary articles from the textbook and a variety of other sources. The course focuses on learning and applying reading strategies such as using context, headings, and format to determine main ideas. Students practice active reading to make meaning and to understand and respond to ideas. Students are expected to use a unilingual English dictionary and use the college library for independent reading.

EASL 048 Advanced Communications - Developing Discussions.  This course develops advanced spoken language skills for students to use in discussions of various topics inside and outside the classroom. Students express their own ideas and opinions and contribute actively to informal discussions and formal presentations. Students develop their awareness of varieties of spoken language according to purpose, topic and audience, their understanding of concrete and abstract words and phrases, and their use of appropriate sound, rhythm and stress patterns. Listening and note taking skills are developed through presentations, discussions, and media resources.

EASL 055 Advanced Grammar - Complex Structures is an advanced academic course which is intended to help students develop accuracy and gain fluency in the use of complex grammatical structures including noun clauses, adjective clauses, adverb clauses, conditional clauses, and gerunds and infinitives.

EASL 056A Advanced Writing:  College Essays is an advanced academic course in writing for students who speak English as an additional language.  The course focuses on using the writing process for planning, writing, and revising to produce well-developed multi-paragraph academic essays, including comparison / contrast and argumentative research.  Attention is given to the use of accurate and effective research techniques.  The course consists of a weekly lecture and an interactive writing workshop with the instructor in the computer lab.

EASL 057B  Advanced Reading - World Literature is a required advanced academic reading course which includes study and discussion of a variety of short stories, poems, and essays of moderate length written by Canadian and international authors. The course focuses on the understanding of the meaning of texts in the context of a global society. Students learn to recognize major themes in literature and comprehend and apply basic literary terms. Students develop their ability to respond reflectively to literature in both oral and written form.

EASL 057C Advanced Reading - Media Reading is an advanced academic reading course which includes study and discussion of a variety of reading selections of moderate length taken from current media sources, including print newspapers and magazines as well as articles from the internet. The course focuses on the development of vocabulary and specific reading strategies that can be used in understanding and critiquing texts on topics of contemporary social and cultural interest. Students develop their ability to read critically and respond to media reports on current issues.

EASL 065 College Preparation - Grammar.  This course is for advanced English language learners who wish more in-depth grammar focus. Students identify weaknesses in their writing and grammar, and refine their skills through self and peer editing, discussion and practice. There is a focus on common sentence problem areas such as fragments, splices, run-ons and misplaced and dangling modifiers, as well as paragraph and essay development.

EASL 066 College Preparation - Research Writing is an advanced writing course that focuses on various forms of writing that can be found in the academic and the work world. In addition to formal academic research techniques, this course will also explore practical technical writing skills needed for clear, timely, concise and accurate communication. The writer must focus on the purpose and audience as well as the form, style and organization. In this class, students will produce a variety of practical and academic forms of writing, including correspondence, summaries, instructions, proposals, reports etc.

EASL 068 College Preparation - Community Outreach is a course for English language students who have completed Advanced Communications. Students initiate, plan, and facilitate community based projects which involve interaction with native speakers in real life contexts. Students work independently and in teams to prepare, implement, and evaluate projects. Community Outreach is designed to build leadership skills and improve professional speaking, delivery and reporting methods.

EASL 091A Music and Pronunciation is a multi-level interactive seminar in which students use songs of their choice to identify and practice features of English pronunciation. Students gain fluency, improve intonation and rhythm and increase their ability to produce difficult sounds. In addition, there is the opportunity to expand vocabulary through the many idioms and collocations used in popular songs.

EASL 091B Art and Photography is a multi-level communications seminar designed to use various forms of art and photography to expand student's English language skills. Using various creative media, students will produce their own art work. Additionally students will visit local galleries, studios and artisans to discus and share ideas.

EASL 091C Movies and Discussions is an interactive communicative seminar which offers students an opportunity to watch international movies chosen by the class. Students practice their speaking and listening skills and increase their vocabulary while introducing, watching, and discussing movies. They also have a chance to write about and share their ideas and opinions.

EASL 092A Volunteer Internship is an advanced interactive communicative seminar where students can volunteer once a week at a business, service or organization in Castlegar. This experience gives students an opportunity to learn more about the community and use their English in a real setting.

EASL 092B Community Adventures is an off-campus excursion seminar that offers the opportunity to practice English outside of the classroom while familiarizing the students with Castlegar and the surrounding area. Students will visit a variety of cultural, educational and service settings. Assignments and projects will be based on field trip experiences.

EASL 092C Canadian Studies is a multi-level interactive communicative seminar for students who are interested in learning more about Canada. Students study such topics as the geography, history, culture and politics of Canada. Students are able to learn more about Canada in relation to their home country and culture.

EASL 092D Leadership is an advanced interactive communicative seminar which offers opportunities for students to learn about and practice leadership skills both individually and as a group. The class works together to discuss, plan and do projects of their choice. Students gain real experience organizing and working as a multicultural team and learn valuable skills for future work situations.

EASL 093A Academic Preparation is an advanced communications seminar for students who are planning to continue their studies in English and want to improve their academic study skills. Students will work towards improving their listening, note-taking and discussion skills using authentic English and topics of interest.

EASL 093B Speaking Professionally is an advanced interactive communicative seminar which provides opportunities for students enrolled in the Advanced English Language Program to practice professional public speaking skills. The course helps students build confidence in developing and presenting ideas publicly, in responding to questions and comments, and in developing clarity of speech.

EASL 093D Teaching and Learning Languages is an advanced interactive communicative seminar which introduces students to teaching and learning useful words and expressions in different languages, as determined by the members of the class. Students have the opportunity to develop lessons and teach their own language to the class as well as learn to communicate in other languages. Students learn and share various methods and strategies for language teaching and learning as well as learn about the languages and cultures of other students.

EASL 094A Global Cooking is a multilevel interactive communicative seminar that provides students with opportunities to make and eat food from many different cultures. The students in the class teach other students how to make a favourite dish from their culture. All the students cook and eat together and learn the necessary vocabulary and language skills to share their pleasure in international foods. Students also develop an awareness of other cultures' customs and learn some practical cooking skills.

EASL 094D Nature Studies is a multilevel interactive communicative seminar which teaches students about the natural environment and culture of the Castlegar area. Students study topics such as animals, plants, geography and history. Students learn in the classroom but also have opportunities to go on outdoor field trips.

EASL 095A Partnership is an interactive communicative seminar which connects English language learners with other students who are native English speakers for informal meetings. The ESL student and their partner meet once a week for conversation and sharing of cultures and interests. This seminar provides an opportunity to practice English in a one on one situation.

EASL 095B Pronunciation is an interactive communicative seminar which helps students use, learn, and practice English idioms, slang and expressions in addition to practicing elements of natural pronunciation such as rhythm, stress, articulation of individual sounds and intonation. Students create dialogues and conversations and share them with the class.

EASL 095D Global Discussions is an advanced interactive communicative seminar where students have the opportunity to explore and learn about a variety of topics. Students work on building vocabulary and discussion skills as they increase their knowledge and understanding of important issues in the world today.

Students also have the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions with other Canadian college classes and /or students.

EASL 095E Business Idioms is a basic course in Business English for ESL students who wish to improve their written and oral skills. The course focuses on level-appropriate grammar and introduces frequently used business idioms and vocabulary specific to various 'real life' business domains. This seminar will also familiarize students with the finer points of business culture in North America.