English Language and Cultural Studies (ELAC)

Lindsey S. Aloia
Associate Dean of the Graduate School and International Education
213 Gearhart Hall
479-575-4204
Email: aloia@uark.edu

Wendy McBride
Coordinator, English Language and Cultural Studies Program
English Language and Cultural Studies House (ELAC)
Email: wmcbride@uark.edu

English Language and Cultural Studies Website

A unit of the Graduate School and International Education, the English Language and Cultural Studies program supports international graduate and undergraduate students as well as visiting and exchange students/scholars by providing supplementary English language and culture courses. Program faculty support student success and assist students transition to the University of Arkansas.

Courses

ELAC 0000V. University Connections Intensive English. 1-9 Hour.

This class is part of the Intensive English Program designed for students who are in their first semester of the University Connections three-semester program. Not for degree credit. Prerequisite: Language assessment required. (Typically offered: Irregular)

ELAC 00101. Writing Workshop: Grammar through Editing. 1 Hour.

This class is designed to assist upper-intermediate to advanced non-native speakers of English improve their academic writing at the sentence level. Students' writing is analyzed for grammatical accuracy; students develop strategies for editing their writing more independently and learn to produce clearer, more grammatically correct writing. Not for degree credit. Prerequisite: Placement through TOEFL iBT Writing / TOEFL TWE / IELTS writing / UofA ELPT (writing) / TOEFL Alternative. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 01003. University Connections Intensive English Level I. 3 Hours.

Students new to English will be introduced to the letters and sounds of the alphabet, fundamental grammar structures for conversation and writing, and essential vocabulary on themes (relevant to community, individual and academic entities), and cultural distinctions in the American university system. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 02003. University Connections Intensive English Level II. 3 Hours.

Based on placement or successful completion of Level I (ELAC 01003) coursework, emerging learners continue to develop reading-for-learning and writing-for-communication strategies; extend vocabulary on themes relating to community, individual and academic development, and cultural distinctions of the United States; and focus on advancing grammar structures for conversation and writing. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 03003. University Connections Intensive English Level III. 3 Hours.

Based on placement or successful completion of Level II (ELAC 02003) coursework, intermediate learners extend reading-for-learning and writing-for-communication strategies to more academic contexts; extend vocabulary and word form knowledge (on themes relating to community, individual and academic development, and cultural distinctions of the United States); and focus on applying advanced grammar structures to conversation and writing. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 04003. University Connections Intensive English Level IV. 3 Hours.

Based on placement or successful completion of Level III (ELAC 03003) coursework, intermediate learners continue to develop strategies for comprehension and communication in all language skills; to extend vocabulary to concepts related to social, environmental and global themes in academics; and to explore the cultural distinctions of the United States. Advancing grammar structures for conversation and writing extend to sophisticated forms of support and persuasion. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 05003. University Connections Intensive English Level V. 3 Hours.

Based on placement or successful completion of Level IV (ELAC 04003) coursework, this course incorporates critical thinking and processing skills for improved reading and listening comprehension, and accuracy and efficacy in writing and speaking. Vocabulary development advances with social, environmental and global themes. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 06003. University Connections Intensive English Level VI. 3 Hours.

Following placement or successful completion of Level V (ELAC 05003) coursework, highly effective writing skills and reading comprehension are solidified and integrated intensely at this advanced level. Through extended reading, writing and presentation assignments, students improve their ability to recognize and deliver main ideas, distinguish and produce persuasive support, and respond to content in a range of contexts. Applied language instruction and assignments will be supplemented by and supported with practical training in educational technology and investigation through special topics. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ELAC 10203. Academic Writing Across Disciplines. 3 Hours.

The class is designed to improve the academic writing and critical thinking skills for non-native speakers of English in all fields. Through focused instruction and extensive practice, students will improve their academic lexicon, grammatical accuracy, discourse organization and fluency in formal academic writing. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: Placement through TOEFL iBT Writing / TOEFL TWE / IELTS writing / UofA ELPT (writing) / TOEFL Alternative. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 10303. English Language through Mass Media. 3 Hours.

Students expand their communicative language skills through the study of news and media. By analyzing the messages and methods used in a variety of sources, students improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students develop critical thinking skills as they evaluate and synthesize ideas from the texts. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: Placement through TOEFL iBT Writing / TOEFL TWE / IELTS writing / UofA ELPT (writing) / TOEFL Alternative. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 20102. English Phonology for Non-Native Speakers. 2 Hours.

In this course students study the basic principles of phonetics and phonology of English in order to develop their ability to produce the standard American accents. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 20203. Business English Communications. 3 Hours.

This is a course for non-native English speakers to develop their oral communication skills for professional business settings. From informal dialogues to formal business presentations, students learn appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication strategies and develop confidence to communicate effectively and comprehensibly. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: Placement through TOEFL iBT Writing / TOEFL TWE / IELTS writing / UofA ELPT (writing) / TOEFL Alternative. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 20403. Seminar in United States Culture, Communication, and Institutions. 3 Hours.

Through an in-depth study of American life, culture, communicative style and institutions, non-native speakers of English improve their oral and written communication skills. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: Placement through TOEFL iBT Writing / TOEFL TWE / IELTS writing / UofA ELPT (writing) / GRE Analytical Writing / GMAT Analytical Writing / TOEFL Alternative. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

ELAC 20503. Academic Presentations. 3 Hours.

For advanced non-native speakers of English to build skills and strategies for delivering effective, clear presentations in academic and professional settings. Students learn about organization, best use of visual aids, connecting with an audience, facilitating questions and answers, and intercultural issues that affect perception and comprehensibility. Not for degree credit in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: At the request of an instructor or through TOEFL (iBT) exam, spoken portion of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the University of Arkansas Spoken Language Proficiency Test (SLPT). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)