English as a Second Language (ESL)

Program Model / Completion Requirements

A placement test, taken prior to registration, will determine at what level of the program you need to begin your study. To book your free test, contact the ESL office at 780.471.7499 or by email at esl@nait.ca.

Textbook Information: The book list is available at the bookstore or the ESL office.

ESL Level 1

Develop the fundamental skills to communicate in English. Starting with the basics, you will:

• learn the basics of English grammar and writing skills
• practice reading simple paragraphs, develop vocabulary and have comprehension of basic texts
• improve listening and speaking while focusing on pronunciation and intonation of spoken English

Courses include: NESL111 Listening & Speaking, NESL121 Reading & Vocabulary and NESL131 Grammar & Writing. Prerequisite: Before registering you must have achieved a minimum academic background of grade 10 and are required to take the ESL placement exam.

ESL Level 2

Building on your essential knowledge of the English language you will further develop your abilities. Specific topics covered in courses include:

• grammar knowledge
• writing complex sentences and sentence organization
• context clues and inference for understanding vocabulary and meaning
• listening and speaking skills through special lectures, discussions, presentations and pronunciation practice

Courses include: NESL211 Listening & Speaking, NESL221 Reading & Vocabulary and NESL231 Grammar & Writing. Prerequisite: Successful completion of preceding level or placement test.

ESL Level 3

You have the fundament English skills to communicate in this language. Now you are ready to complete more complex forms of writing on your own or even speak in public. Specific topics covered in the Level 3 courses include:

• using more complex forms of English grammar and writing
• writing paragraphs and developing basic essays
• speaking in public and private situations
• taking notes and identifying key points from lectures
• reading to identify main points, understand new words through context and increase speed and vocabulary

Courses include: NESL311 Listening & Speaking, NESL321 Reading & Vocabulary and NESL331 Grammar & Writing. Prerequisite: Successful completion of preceding level or placement test.

ESL Level 4

Expand your English language skills in the ESL Level 4 set of courses. By completion of the three courses you will be able to:

• organize and write basic coherent essays
• create compound and complex sentence structures
• read quicker and retrieve information accurately using authentic articles
• more clearly understand current event issues
• participate in presentations to express your thoughts and opinions about abstract and concrete topics.

Part-time or full-time study in a NAIT program may begin at the same time you are completing the courses in ESL Level 4. Contact the ESL office for more information. Courses include: NESL411 Listening & Speaking,NESL421 Reading & Vocabulary and NESL431 Grammar & Writing. Prerequisite: Successful completion of preceding level or placement test.

ESL Level 5

By completion of Level 5 you will have proficient English language skills for reading, writing, listening and speaking and will feel comfortable in English learning or working environments. In fact, you can begin your part-time or full-time program at NAIT while enrolled in ESL Level 5. Specifically, in this course you will:

• improve on the accuracy of your grammar skills through collaboration and extensive practice
• organize and write technical articles for academic purposes
• continue to increase your academic vocabulary and overall knowledge of idioms in context through reading a variety of authentic articles and texts
• be challenged to create formal presentations from research and attend lectures about various topics related to academic life on campus and outside social issues

Courses include: NESL511 Listening & Speaking, NESL521 Reading & Vocabulary and NESL531 Grammar & Writing. Prerequisite: Successful completion of preceding level or placement test. Please contact the ESL office prior to registering at (780) 471-7499.

Delivery Options

Full-Time ESL

You are considered a full-time student if you are taking three courses/term (20 hours/week for 15 weeks) for a total of 300 hours/term.

Each full-time course runs Monday to Friday. Phone the ESL Department for class times.

Start Dates:

• Winter Term 2010 - January 4 to April 23
• Spring/Summer 2010 - May 3 to Aug 18 

Full-Time Fees:

• Example of full-time fees from September 2009: International student $3930.00*, Domestic student $2,278.00*

Part-Time ESL

By taking one or two courses in a semester you are considered a part-time student. Each course is six to seven hours per week for 15 weeks and these courses are taken during the day.

Part-Time Fees For Level 4 And 5:

• International student: $1375.00* per course
• Domestic student: $797.00* per course

Note: Domestic students include permanent residents, landed immigrants and others with special status.

*Fees may be subject to change

Program Outline