Are you considering travelling to a native English speaking country to improve your English languages skills? The USA has established itself as a mind-blowing continent where dreams and fantasies transpire and elevate, while offering outstanding opportunities to learn the English language.
USA Fast Facts
Languages Spoken
82% of the population speak English. The remaining speak Spanish, other Indo-European languages, Asian, Pacific Island languages and other.
Currency
Name: Dollar
Code: USD
Symbol: $
Time Zones
Eastern Standard time (GMT – 5)
Central time (GMT – 6)
Mountain Time (GMT – 7)
Pacific Time (GMT – 8)
Hawaiian Time (GMT – 10)
Alaskan Time (GMT – 9)
Why Learn English in USA?
Figures taken from a recent census indicates that 82.1% of citizens in the USA speak English only. Not only is the USA overflowing with adventure, but consider how it accelerates the economic markets. Why not learn English and discover how this metropolis of leading stock markets makes the world go round. The USA is brimming with English language schools of excellent quality form state to state, with a friendly face waiting to welcome you and teach you the English Language.
From Alabama to Wyoming and everywhere in between the USA is an experience waiting for you to explore…and you get to practice the English language as your travels unfold. Consider the complexity of everything the USA offers; from the sun splashed beaches of the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean wit crystal clear waters, to the soaring Rocky Mountain Range, encounter all of this while being immersed in a sea of multiculturalism when choosing the USA as your destination to improve your English language skills.
Hit the “Jackpot” in Los Angelus, take a stroll through a dynamic neighbourhood crackling with energy in Time Square, New York City, and spot the stars, or soar through the skies while ballooning in Telluride, Colorado. There is no other destination that offers such bewildering diversity to the English language learner.
You might not hold a high opinion of the American people, perhaps from media influence however consider this, many Americans are descendants of an assortment of nationalities and they are crammed with curiosity about their ancestor’s culture. An ideal way to practice your English language! You will not encounter a more social, pleasant nationality as you will while practicing your English language skills in the USA.
English Courses in USA
Levels
Our program has five levels. Most students enter our program at Level 2 or higher. Level 5 is our highest level. You will have opportunities to develop your reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar skills in each course and at each level. Teachers often take students on field trips or create out-of-the class opportunities and assignments.
Types
There are four kinds of classes. For Levels 1-4, we have an Oral Communication class that teaches listening and speaking skills, a Block class which focuses on reading, writing and grammar skills, and an Elective class. The elective classes that students can choose from may include computer classes, TOEFL preparation, TOEIC preparation, English or history through movies, film-making, vocabulary/idioms, speaking workshop, travel, business, and different kinds of grammar classes.
For Level Five, we offer the visitation class in place of oral communication. In this class you attend an undergraduate CWU class as a visitor and you meet once a week with one of the UESL Program’s teachers to discuss what you are learning. This helps you prepare for entering an undergraduate program at an American university.
Examples of Class Schedules students take:
- Level 2 Oral Communication 2, Block 2, and Communicative Grammar or another elective class
- Level 3 Oral Communication 3, Block 3, and an elective class
- Level 4 Oral Communication 4, Block 4, and an elective class
- Level 5 Block 5, an elective class, and a visitation class
Test
You will take a test after you arrive at CWU. This test helps us decide what level in our program is best for you. If necessary, you can be placed in different levels for your Oral Communication class and your Block class.
English Courses in USA
Living in the USA
You will have opportunities to develop your reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar skills in each course and at each level. Teachers often take students on field trips or create out-of-the class opportunities and assignments.
Travel
On a course you will learn about some famous (and maybe not so famous) places in the US, especially National Parks.
For Level Five, we offer the visitation class in place of oral communication. In this class you attend an undergraduate CWU class as a visitor and you meet once a week with one of the UESL Program’s teachers to discuss what you are learning. This helps you prepare for entering an undergraduate program at an American university.
- In class time: Learned about Parks, Places in the United States, especially the places we would visit on our field trips.
- Outside of class: Gathered information about the United States and travel destinations. Talked to Americans.
- Field trips: Went to local and distant places on field trips. On Friday afternoons or on the week-ends. Kept a journal and gathered information, photos, items for our scrapbooks.
Speaking Workshop
In this course we learn how professional writers use different techniques to write creatively. We will practice these techniques to write our own stories and poems. We will improve our reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. We will also listen to each others’ stories and make comments on them. This class is designed for students in levels 3, 4, and 5 because each person can write and share at their own level.
TOEFL Preparation
Develop the skills and strategies needed to be successful in taking the TOEFL, including the computerized TOEFL.
TOEIC Preparation
Develop the reading, listening and vocabulary skills needed to be successful in taking the Test of English for International Communication.
Vocabulary and Idioms
In this course, students will expand their understanding and use of vocabulary and idioms in all skill areas.
English Through Movies
Watching movies is a fun, effective way to improve your English. In this class, we will watch interesting, entertaining American movies, learn how to understand natural spoken English, and practice speaking English by discussing the movies in depth.
History Through Films
In this course, we learn about American history through reading, discussion, lectures, and presentations. In addition, we will see how this history is represented in Hollywood movies.
International Business
This class is designed to help students understand and communicate in the business world with good skills, cultural sensitivity and confidence. This class will also help enhance students reading and writing abilities.
Speak Naturally
In this course, we will use techniques of acting and theater to improve speaking and pronunciation. Using scenes and scripts from television programs and movies with real actors as models, students will improve the fluency and accent of their spoken English.
Advanced Reading and Research Skills
In this course, students will develop their reading, writing, and research skills. The main subject of the course is Anne Frank, the Jewish girl who wrote a famous diary about her experience hiding from the Nazis during World War II. We will read parts of Anne’s diary, the play based upon it, articles about Anne Frank, and historical background about World War II. The following academic skills will be practiced: taking notes from lectures, reading college-level texts, writing essay examinations, doing library research and writing a research paper.
In the News
In this class, students will read newspaper and magazine articles, watch TV news and programs in order to help achieve their English reading and listening proficiency and acquire English vocabulary words related to news. Of course, students will also be given opportunity to practice writing in English. For example, they will interview people, write news reports, and make an UESL newspaper. By making a newspaper, they will learn the writing process from the brainstorming to editing, the process of making a simple and informal newspaper for UESL students, and the computer skills of Page Maker as well. Finally, they will learn how to give a news report on “TV!”