English as a Second Language

Karnoutsos Hall, Room 205
201-200-3087

The English as a Second Language program at New Jersey City University is committed to serving the educational and cultural needs of a highly diverse urban student population. The Department’s courses primarily aim to teach academic writing and reading, and are designed to equip students with the English language, literature, and research skills that are required to perform effectively in courses leading to a bachelor’s degree, as well as in their future careers.

The program consists of many levels of coursework, which include ESL equivalents of the All-University Requirements of English Composition I and II. The program also provides academic support services for its students by offering free one-on-one tutoring and making available materials from its lending library.

In association with the Multicultural Center, the ESL Program houses the Center for Imagination in Language Learning (CILL), which periodically sponsors the Conference on the Role of the Imagination in Language Learning. Many of the presentations at the conference are published in The Journal of the Imagination in Language and Learning and Teaching.

Steve Haber, Chairperson
Professor of English as a Second Language
Bard College, B.A., City College of New York, M.A.; Columbia University, M.A., M.Ed., Ed.D.

Adela Martínez-Guzmán
Assistant Professor of English as a Second Language
University of Puerto Rico, B.A., M.A.

James G. Holley
Assistant Professor of English as a Second Language
Central State University, Ohio, B.A.; Hunter College, M.A.

Anne Mabry
Associate Professor of English as a Second Language

English As A Second Language (ESL)

ESL 1XX English as a Secondary Language Transfer Credit (0 Credits)

ESL 2XX English as a Secondary Language Transfer Credit (0 Credits)

ESL 96 Beginning ESL (6 Credits)

The beginner learns from fundamental listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The emphasis is on the basic foundations of English grammar, oral language skills and pre-composition skills. This course does not carry degree credit.

ESL 97 Elementary English as a Second Language (6 Credits)

The advanced beginner has an opportunity to further acquire and review basic spoken and written English. The focus is on continued acquisition of written grammar, listening, comprehension, and increased reading ability. This course does not carry degree credit.

ESL 98 Intermediate Expository Writing I: ESL (6 Credits)

Basic English as a Second Language is the third course in a five level sequence and is intended for intermediate level students of English as a Second Language. The focus of this course is the development of basic English proficiency with an emphasis on writing. A variety of rhetorical forms are covered in this course. Reading material reflecting a variety of styles and rhetorical forms are used as the basis for class and group discussion. Grammatical aspects necessary for writing and speech are also covered. Admission is through a placement test.

ESL 100 Intermediate Expository Writing II: English as a Second Language (6 Credits)

This course is designed to teach non-native speakers of English how to move beyond the basics of composition writing to more advanced academic writing. Students will learns essential features of academic writing, such as how to structure paragraphs for greater cohesion, how to write theses for a variety of rhetorical structures, and how to develop theses. Readings will be grouped around several themes. Students will also develop greater accuracy in grammar and vocabulary, and will be introduced to the principles of effective oral presentations.

ESL 101 English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students (6 Credits)

This course is designed to develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills for university coursework. Students develop academic writing in a variety of rhetorical styles. Readings include fiction, poetry, expository writing, editorials, newspaper articles, scientific texts, and reference materials. Grammatical accuracy is emphasized. Preparation for research is included. Note: Successful completion of this course satisfies the All University Requirements (AUR) ENGL 101 English composition I.

ESL 102 English Composition 2 ESL (6 Credits)

This course is equivalent to the current Enghlish Composition 2 offered by the English Program, which completes the second semester of the AUR in English. The writing and research components of an EC II course take into account the cultural and linguistic challenges unique to ESL students.

Pre-Requisite(s): ESL 101 Fundamentals of Communication I-English As a Second Language

ESL 104 Advanced Expository Writing: English as a Second Language (3 Credits)

Advanced Expository Writing: ESL is the fifth course in a six level ESL course sequence. This course is designed to teach students how to produce advanced level expository essays, a short documented research paper, and strengthen their critical thinking and note-taking skills in order to analyze university-level written and spoken materials.

ESL 105 Accent Reduction I: English as a Second Language (3 Credits)

This course is designed for intermediate students of English as a Second Language who still need help with oral comprehension and production skills. The focus of the class is to review the English sound system, and the stress, intonation and rhythmic patterns of English. This course is also designed to teach strategies for listening with a purpose and developing the social and linguistic skills essential for the job market/work setting.

ESL 106 Accent Reduction II: English as a Second Language (3 Credits)

This course is designed for the more advanced students who still need to develop and refine advanced oral skills. The focus of this course is the improvement of listening and speaking skills.

ESL 108 American Culture (3 Credits)

This supplemental course, designed for high intermediate ESL students, has a twofold purpose. It is designed to 1) be a systematic introduction to the vitality and complexity of the United States-its values, beliefs, geography, and inhabitants; and 2) strengthen academic study skills especially in reading and writing.

ESL 113 English for Academic Research (3 Credits)

This new course for Gen Ed is specially designed to develop the reading, writing and research skills of Bilingual or ESL students. The writing and research components of the course take into account the cultural and linguistic needs unique to ESL and Bilingual students.

ESL 115 English Composition I for Bilingual Students (6 Credits)

This course parallels the current English Composition I offered by the ESL Program, which fulfills the Tier I English composition requirement. The course promotes academic literacy for Generation 1.5 students, with authentic reading and writing tasks liked to academic coursework.

ESL 116 English Composition II for Bilingual Students (6 Credits)

This course parallels the current English Composition II offered by the ESL Program, which fulfills the Tier 2 English composition requirement. The writing and research components of an EC II course will take into account the cultural and linguistic challenges unique to the Generation 1.5 population.

Pre-Requisite(s): ENGL 101, ESL 101, and ESL 115

ESL 125 Video and Film in Study of English (3 Credits)

This course surveys audio-visual materials now available for the teaching of English as a second or foreign language. The course reviews educational and non-educational media such as films, videos, audiotapes, radio programs, and computer-driven technology to make students aware of possibilities for their own study and to explore images of the United States conveyed through these media. Students perceive and develop an interactive relationship between the above materials and their special areas of interest.

ESL 126 Topics and Themes in USA Mythology (3 Credits)

This course focuses on legends, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, special events, fictional characters, and historical personalities that together constitute American mythology. Students are taught techniques of determining the meaning of such references and of using them in their conversations and writing. The course also provides a review of current controversies concerning language. Each offering of the course concentrates on a different topic or theme.

ESL 130 American Myths: The Experience of Cultural Change (3 Credits)

The American cultural landscape is populated with myths spread by high school textbooks, Hollywood, and mass media: Immigrants went from "rags to riches" (therefore, everyone can), and higher education is the great equalizer, for example. This course examines and critically assesses the myths (partially-true beliefs) that underlie many American values.

ESL 140 The Language of Science: A Journalistic Approach (3 Credits)

This course explains and exemplifies for undergraduates from the humanities and the sciences what differentiates scientific from non-scientific thinking. Ominous developments in Artificial Intelligence add depth to articles carefully written by scientists who are keenly aware of the limitations of their readers.

ESL 301 English as a Second Language Tutoring Internship (1 Credit)

This one-credit course provides a faculty-supervised opportunity for undergraduates in any major to receive hands-on training and experience in tutoring students enrolled in English as a Second Language classes. In addition, interns are paid for their tutoring work.