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Online Programs
Semester |
Semester dates |
Application Deadlines |
Fall 2009 |
September 1 - December 14 |
August 20 |
Spring 2010 |
January 27 - May 23 |
January 15 |
Writing and Grammar for Academic Purposes (ELC 401—Online)
Reading and Vocabulary Development for Academic Purposes (ELC 402—Online)
These upper-intermediate level (ELC Level 4) reading and composition courses focus on the connection between academic reading and writing for ESL students. ELC 401 and 402 must be taken together. For students who have been given conditional admission to UMBC, these courses partially satisfy conditional admission for undergraduate students. To completely satisfy conditional admission, students must also complete the next set of courses, ELC 051/501 and 052/502, either online or face-to-face, and the speaking/listening courses ELC 043 and ELC 053 or ELC 054.
In these courses, students practice the process approach for composition. Through brainstorming, free writing, preparing drafts, peer review and instructor feedback, students develop their English writing skills in order to write summaries and informative and persuasive essays. Written assignments provide opportunities to respond to readings while practicing writing skills. Students also increase their reading comprehension and general language awareness. Exposure to figurative and unfamiliar language allows students to develop their ability to determine meaning from context, make inferences and predictions, and to recognize the writer’s intent. Students practice both intensive and extensive reading strategies with readings selected from diverse authors and cultures.
Can you…?
- Write long paragraphs on familiar and unfamiliar topics?
- Comprehend medium to long reading passages on a number of topics pertaining to different times and places?
- Identify the main ideas and major supporting details and guess meaning from context in readings?
- Discuss readings and give feedback on classmates’ writing either orally or in written form?
- Revise and edit your own writing?
If you answered “yes” to at least four of these questions, ELC Level 4 is probably right for you. If you answered “no” to most of these questions, consider ELC Level 3. If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, read the information on ELC Level 5 to determine your best placement.
Advanced Writing and Grammar for Academic Purposes (ELC 501—Online)
Advanced Reading and Vocabulary Development for Academic Purposes (ELC 502—Online)
These advanced level (ELC Level 5) reading and composition courses focus on the connection between academic reading and writing for ESL students. For students who have been given conditional admission to UMBC, these courses taken togetherpartially satisfy conditional admission for undergraduate students. Students must also take the speaking/listening courses ELC 043 and ELC 053 or ELC 054.
In these courses, students practice the process approach for composition. Through brainstorming, free writing, preparing drafts, peer review and instructor feedback, students develop their English writing skills in order to write papers in 3 different rhetorical styles: narrative, informative (research-based), and persuasive. Additional written assignments provide opportunities to respond to readings while practicing writing skills. Students also increase their reading comprehension and general language awareness. Exposure to familiar and unfamiliar language in a variety of academic fields allows students to develop their ability to determine meaning from context, make inferences and predictions, as well as to recognize and utilize organizational patterns.
Can you…?
- Comprehend medium to long reading passages on a number of topics pertaining to different academic disciplines?
- Identify the main ideas and major supporting details and guess meaning from context in readings?
- Write a short (5-6 sentence) summary paragraph of a long reading passage?
- Use personal background and experience to respond in writing to reading passages?
- Discuss readings and give feedback on classmates’ writing either orally or in written form?
- Organize your ideas in an outline format?
- Revise and edit your own writing?
- Write more than 3 pages on a familiar topic?
If you answered “yes” to at least six of these questions, ELC Level 5 is probably right for you. If you answered “no” to more than 5 of these questions, consider ELC Level 4.
Cost
Each online course costs $890 USD. Courses ELC 401 and 402 must be taken at the same time, for a total cost of $1780 USD. You may pay the tuition for the online courses after you apply and receive the confirmation email.