PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

We recognize that our students come from diverse cultures and academic backgrounds and that every student has different strengths and weaknesses, focuses and needs.  Our curriculum therefore is structured into four distinct types of course: Reading and Writing courses where students develop and sharpen their knowledge of English structure and grammar while practicing reading comprehension and developing their writing skills; Listening and Speaking courses where the student will learn communicative functions that will help develop and sharpen their listening and conversational skills; Electives courses where students may choose to study English Idioms or build their vocabulary; Test Preparation courses where students may choose to study for the TOEFL, GMAT or GRE exams.

Poly offers two programs that are designed to meet the needs and educational goals of our students. Each program consists of six levels: level one is for beginners and false beginners; level two is for advanced beginners; levels three and four are intermediate levels, low and high respectively; and levels five and six are for advanced students.  All levels are designed for eight-week study.  Each level is divided into two sessions.  Each session lasts four weeks with a session start date and a session end date.  Students are tested and placed in the courses appropriate to their language capability. Our test preparation classes are intended for those students who have completed our ESL program and require a TOEFL, GMAT or GRE score to attend the college, university, or graduate school of their choice. The GMAT and GRE have been designed with the English language learner in mind with emphasis placed on the verbal section. The TOEFL course is also intended for those students who wish to review higher level listening comprehension, grammar, reading and writing before leaving our program.

Sample Schedules

Intensive Program
Students study for 23 hours a week for a total of 92 hours of instruction per session. The program consists of reading/writing, speaking/listening and elective courses followed by test preparation and elective courses.

Semi-Intensive Program
Students study for 18 hours a week for a total of 72 hours of instruction per session. The program consists of reading/writing, speaking/listening followed by test preparation.

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed with course codes under course type headings followed by the number of lecture hours and lab hours if applicable.  For each hour of instruction or lab stated, there is a 10-minute recess.  Each course description is followed by the prerequisites required by each continuing student who must have completed the prerequisite course with a passing grade. For the new student, the student’s level placement is determined based on the result of the student’s On-Line EPAT (the On-Line English Proficiency Assessment Test).  The On-Line EPAT consists of grammar, reading, and listening.  The student is placed in the level that best reflects his/her abilities broken down into two areas of his/her command of English language: reading/writing and speaking/listening.  The student has the right to challenge his/her level placement by retaking the On-Line EPAT but may only do this one time. Reading/Writing Series (Lecture: 40 hours)

Reading/Writing Series (Lecture: 40 hours)

• Beginner (R/W 101 & 102): The courses are an introduction to basic grammar and usage of English.  Specifically, the goal of the level 1 grammar module is to introduce students to basic English grammar structures and verb tenses, which will in turn provide students with the foundation for their productive skills.  Prerequisite: None
• High Beginner (R/W 201 & 202): In this level, students will begin developing linguistic competence through the study of English grammar and usage, specifically conjunctions, comparisons, adjective and noun clauses, and gerunds. Additionally, the student will begin to develop reading and writing skills through a variety of engaging themes and topics that also provide practical opportunities for the student to apply the grammar, structure and usage they have learned.  Prerequisite: R/W 102 or S/L 202
• Low Intermediate (R/W 301 & 302): Students will continue developing linguistic competence through the study of English grammar and usage, specifically the simple present, past and future tenses; nouns and pronouns; and modals. Additionally, the student will continue developing reading and writing skills through a variety of engaging themes and topics that also provide practical opportunities for the student to apply the grammar, structure and usage they have learned.  Prerequisite: R/W 202 or S/L 302
• Intermediate (R/W 401 & 402): Students will continue developing linguistic competence through the study of English grammar and usage, specifically noun, adjective and adverb clauses, wishes and conditionals. Additionally, the student will continue developing reading and writing skills through a variety of engaging themes and topics that also provide practical opportunities for the student to apply the grammar, structure and usage they have learned.  Prerequisite: R/W 302 or S/L 402
• High Intermediate (R/W 501 & 502): Students will develop analytical skills while continuing to build language competence through the study of intellectually challenging reading and writing exercises structured around stimulating themes such as the media, medicine, philanthropy, education and food. Additionally, students will produce writing through the process of generating ideas, organizing and drafting content, revising, and editing for grammar and mechanics.  Prerequisite: R/W 402 or S/L 502
• Advanced (R/W 601 & 602): Students will develop analytical skills while continuing to build language competence through the study of intellectually challenging reading and writing exercises structured around stimulating themes such as addiction, utopian movements, trends, business, and the arts. Additionally, students will produce writing through the process of generating ideas, organizing and drafting content, revising, and editing for grammar and mechanics.  Prerequisite: R/W 502 or S/L 602

Speaking/Listening Series (Lecture: 32 hours)

• Beginner (S/L 101, 102): Students will begin developing a communicative competence through the study and practice of specific structures, vocabulary and communicative functions such as introductions, likes and dislikes; describing; talking about events and locations; exchanging information. To this end, listening drills and oral practice are used to help the student develop their receptive skills, as well as to reinforce basic structures of expression. Focused vocabulary development and pronunciation work supplement core conversation functions. Prerequisite: None
• High Beginner (S/L 201, 202): Students continue developing a communicative competence through the study and practice of specific structures, vocabulary and communicative functions such as likes and dislikes; discussing plans; describing abilities and skills; describing technology. To this end, role playing, group and pair work, as well as listening comprehension drills are carried out. Focused vocabulary development and pronunciation work supplement core conversation functions.  Prerequisite: S/L 102 or R/W 202
• Low Intermediate (S/L 301, 302): Students continue developing their communicative competence through the study and practice of specific structures, vocabulary and communicative functions, such as describing personalities, discussing jobs, making requests, narrating a story, talking about learning methods. To this end, extensive pair and group work, listening comprehension exercises, reading and writing is carried out. Focused vocabulary development and pronunciation work supplement core conversation functions.  Prerequisite: S/L 202 or R/W 302
• Intermediate (S/L 401, 402): Students continue developing their communicative competence through the study and practice of specific structures and vocabulary while developing skills necessary for academic success. Specifically, through the study of diverse themes and topics designed to stimulate critical thinking, students continue to hone their listening skills through a wide range of both formal and informal types of discourse. Students continue to develop their speaking skills through the exploration, analysis, and explanation of such themes as advertising; athletics; storytelling; culture and commerce; and humor.  Focused vocabulary development includes idioms and collocations - and focused pronunciation work supplements class discussion. Prerequisite: S/L 302 or R/W 402
• High Intermediate (S/L 501, 502): Students continue developing their language competence and skills necessary for academic success. Specifically, through the study of diverse themes and topics designed to stimulate critical thinking, students continue to hone their listening skills through a wide range of both formal and informal types of discourse. Students continue to develop their speaking skills through the exploration, analysis, and explanation of such themes as the media; personal obstacles; disasters; interviewing; and education.  Focused vocabulary development includes idioms and collocations, and focused pronunciation work supplements class discussion.  Prerequisite: S/L 402 or R/W 502
• Advanced (S/L 601, 602): Students continue developing their language competence and skills necessary for academic success. Specifically, through the study of diverse themes and topics designed to stimulate critical thinking, students continue to hone their advanced listening skills through a wide range of both formal and informal types of discourse. Students continue to develop their advanced speaking skills through the exploration, analysis, and explanation of such themes as addiction; cross-cultural insights; religion; business; and the arts.  Focused vocabulary development includes idioms and collocations, and focused pronunciation work supplements class discussion.  Prerequisite: S/L 502 or R/W 602

Electives (Lecture: 20 hours)

• Idioms - Beginner (E/I 101, 102): In these courses, students will recognize and correctly use beginning level idioms that are so prevalent in everyday language.  Idioms are learned in context and students are taught idioms through a variety of exercises and activities designed to get students to use the idioms naturally.  Prerequisite: None
• Idioms - Intermediate (E/I 201, 202): Students will recognize and correctly use intermediate level idioms that are so prevalent in everyday language, as well as more complex, though equally common, phrasal verbs.  Idioms and phrasal verbs are learned in context and students are taught idioms through a variety of exercises and activities designed to get students to use the idioms naturally.  Prerequisite: S/L 102, R/W 102, or I 102
• Idioms - Advanced (E/I 301, 302): Students will recognize and correctly use advanced level idioms that are so prevalent in everyday language, as well as more complex, though equally common, phrasal verbs. Students will also learn a variety of collocations.  Idioms, phrasal verbs and collocations are learned in context and students are taught idioms through a variety of exercises and activities designed to get students to use the idioms naturally.  Prerequisite: S/L 202, R/W 202, or I 202
• Vocabulary - Intermediate (E/V 201, 202): Students will learn a wide range of intermediate level everyday and academic vocabulary.  Students will learn these words in context through a series of word-building exercises, games, activities and discussion questions.  Prerequisite: S/L 102 or R/W 102
• Vocabulary - High Intermediate (E/V 301, 302): Students will learn a wide range of high intermediate level everyday and academic vocabulary.  Students will learn these words in context through a series of word-building exercises, games, activities and discussion questions.  Prerequisite: S/L 202, R/W 202, E/I 202, or E/V 202
• Vocabulary – Advanced (E/V 401, 402): Students will learn a wide range of advanced level everyday and academic vocabulary.  Students will learn these words in context through a series of word-building exercises, games, activities and discussion questions.  Prerequisite: S/L 302, R/W 302, E/I 302, or E/V 302

Test Preparation Course (Lecture: 56 hours; Lab: 16-20 hours)

• TOEFL (TP 701,702): The courses are comprehensive overview of the advanced-level speaking, listening, reading and writing skills needed to succeed on the Next Generation TOEFL IBT (internet-based) exam. Through an intense review of test-taking strategies and skills, the student will develop a high level of general language ability in both receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skill areas to achieve a goal TOEFL score.  Specifically, through skill-building exercises, review of test-taking strategies exclusive to the new TOEFL format, and practice with simulated TOEFL test problems, sections and exams, the student will become familiar with and apply the advanced level of discourse required to attain a required score level and to succeed in future academic endeavors.  Prerequisite: R/W 502 & S/L 502, R/W 602, or S/L 602
• GMAT (GM 701, 702): The courses are comprehensive overview of the advanced-level speaking, listening, reading and writing skills needed to succeed on the  Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic performance in an MBA program or in other graduate management programs. Through an intense review of test-taking strategies and skills, the student will develop a high level of general language ability in both receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skill areas needed to achieve a high score.   Prerequisite: R/W 602 and S/L 602
• GRE (GR 701,702): The courses are comprehensive overview of the advanced-level speaking, listening, reading and writing skills needed to succeed on the Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE®) General Test which measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in 8 specific fields of study. Through an intense review of test-taking strategies and skills, the student will develop a high level of general language ability in both receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skill areas needed to achieve a high score.   Prerequisite: R/W 602 and S/L 602

Grading Policy

For all courses other than test preparation courses, course grades are determined based on the student’s weighted average of the student’s attendance grade (40%), midterm grade (20%) and the final grade (40%).  For each course, there is one midterm and one final grade, which based on the percentage of correct answers converted into a letter grade according to the Grade Conversion Table. The student’s attendance grade for the session is a quotient of number of days the student is present over the number of course days scheduled, which is converted into a letter grade according to the Grade Conversion Table. A student is marked as tardy should they miss more than 10% of their scheduled class time due to late arrival or early departure. Four tardies is equivalent to an absence. Course Grade = 20% (Midterm) + 40% (Final) + 40% (Attendance)

For test preparation courses, the score of the exam which simulates the actual test to be taken is recorded as a grade.  Attendance is also recorded and students must adhere to the attendance policy set by the school.

A student who withdraws from a course will receive the symbol "W” (Withdrawal) for the course, which has no impact on the GPA.  The credit hours for the course is counted as attempted but not achieved.

Grading Conversion Table