Academics

FIRST SEMESTER (SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER)

Intensive Academic English Program (12 weeks)

The first segment of the Program begins with intensive academic English. Incoming students will take up to 30 hours of English language instruction per week for 12 weeks to successfully complete three (3) advanced levels under the ELS Language Centers (ELS) curriculum. Thereafter, they will have the opportunity to choose from several elective courses and seminars which focus on their area of academic interest through either one or both of the following certificate programs.

The daily schedule, usually from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Fridays, consists of two lessons of Language Studies (Speaking and Listening), one lesson of Reading/Writing, one lesson in the Language Technology Center, and two lessons in Skills Enhancement Classes (elective classes).

Speaking activities include:

  • Response to structured and unstructured questions
  • Spontaneous discussion
  • Debate within a cooperative context
  • Short extemporaneous talks
  • Short, planned oral presentations
  • Longer, purposeful oral presentations combined with audience participation activities (Q&A) facilitated by the speaker.

Listening activities include:

  • Listening for comprehension of structured and unstructured questions
  • Listening for comprehension of discussion, debate, oral readings, short talks, and longer
  • prepared presentations
  • Listening to university-level subject matter and practicing note-taking skills

Critical thinking activities include:

  • Discussion
  • Debate
  • Oral analysis

Reading activities include:

  • Expressing opinions based on reading materials
  • Distinguishing between literary and non-literary styles
  • Utilizing skimming and scanning in gathering information
  • Analyzing vocabulary encountered in academic, professional, and recreational readings
  • Reading a complete play or novel

Writing activities include:

  • Writing a process essay.
  • Summarizing a news report on a current issue.
  • Writing an argumentative essay.
  • Identifing a wide array of rhetorical styles
  • Writing a research paper.
  • Defending the research project in class.

SECOND SEMESTER ( JANUARY – MAY )

Abroad at AU or Washington Semester Program (16 weeks)

The second segment of the program continues with participation in either the Abroad at AU program, or the Washington Semester program of American University. The two programs are each designed to give visiting international students the chance to experience the best AU has to offer. Abroad at AU students participate in the regular undergraduate curriculum and are fully integrated into the life of AU’s main campus. Washington Semester students follow an experientially-based curriculum and participate with other students from across the US and around the world in seminars and classes on AU’s Tenley campus.