PROGRAMS
Accent Modification
Fundamentals of Standard American English (SAE) Pronunciation: Fundamentals of SAE Pronunciation is a multicourse program consisting of three introductory accent-modification courses that provide an overview of English phonemes, the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), predictable syllable stress patterns, and an overview of accent differences and modification techniques.
English Language Skills
Reading and Writing:
Beginning Levels: Students are introduced to reading and writing in English using an integrated skills approach. Starting with writing on the sentence level and then writing paragraphs, beginning level students learn how to use supporting details to develop main ideas and the grammar necessary for accurate language production. Level-appropriate texts selected from high interest topics expand students’ vocabulary and teach strategies for comprehensible reading.
Intermediate Levels: Students in intermediate levels build proficiency in writing three to five paragraph essays, beginning with personal response-type writing and moving toward formal writing styles. Grammatical structures are taught in the context of reading and incorporated directly into writing assignments. Fluency is increased by extensive reading and written analysis of authentic texts taken from the news and published articles. By the end of the high intermediate level, students are writing compare-contrast, cause-effect and persuasive essays.
Advanced Levels: Advanced level students develop the sophisticated language needed to read freely and use the critical thinking skills necessary for success in an academic setting. Advanced level students practice process writing in the following modes: exemplification for persuasive purposes, comparison/contrast of concepts based on academic readings, summary of articles and argumentation. Research skills are introduced and advanced grammar is taught extensively for writing clear and grammatically correct multi-page essays.
Listening and Speaking:
Beginning Levels: Beginning level Listening and Speaking classes provide a supportive and motivating environment for students to function independently in English. Speaking practices develop students’ confidence in everyday interactions through role-play, group work, and short, informal presentations. Communicative abilities are increased by listening to and telling stories, explaining the steps in a process, giving and receiving directions, and other language functions.
Intermediate Levels: Intermediate-level students develop their speaking and listening skills for academic and professional environments. They learn how to determine main ideas, distinguish important details, and infer meaning in academic lectures and presentations. Speaking skills increase by interviewing English speakers and delivering oral presentations with attention to content, organization, speaking voice, body language, and grammar. Grammatical structures needed for these interactions are taught and incorporated into students’ spoken English.
Advanced Levels: Advanced level Listening and Speaking students demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and strategies appropriate for a university classroom by being able to state clearly, speak with “authority,” give appropriate feedback, and by facility in analyzing and alleviating communication problems and resolving conflicts effectively. Students research, plan, create, and deliver informative and debate-style speeches and presentations using learned platform skills and guidelines for integrating multiple sources of information.
Focus Skills:
Focus Skills are classes focused on a specific area of interest within the four main language skills, such as grammar, essay writing, critical reading, presentational English, and debates.
Conversational English
Conversation Circle:
Conversation Circle is a language and cultural support program that provides theme-based conversation practice for all English language levels. Participation in this program has been proven to increase speaking confidence, fluency, vocabulary, listening skills, and cross-cultural awareness. Conversation Circle is also an excellent place to make friends and global connections. (Free for all MILC students!)
Workshops
Workshops include presentations, activities, and discussions around a focused skill or topic.
Tutoring
Individual Tutoring: Our tutors provide one-on-one assistance and instruction online through Zoom with a wide range of English language skills and other language-related needs.
Shared Tutoring: Shared tutoring allows two students to share the tutoring session and cost. For a productive shared experience, tutoring partners should be at the same language level and have the same or similar goals for the session.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons is a program tailored to the needs and interests of the individual student. A customized curriculum is created and regular, instructional video conferences are scheduled to accommodate the student’s needs and time constraints. The student will receive feedback on their language skills during the class meetings and on assignments through an online learning management system.
Custom Programs
A customized program and curriculum can be designed to meet the needs of your school or business.