Learn English in New Jersey - University English Courses

Program in American Language Studies/ESL at Rutgers University-Newark:
PALS, Program in American Language Studies, is the intensive English as a Second Language program at Rutgers University in Newark, NJ (near New York and just a 15-minute car ride from Newark Liberty International Airport). PALS students learn English and study skills and acquire abilities to be successful in the United States.

ESL Program:
Classes are run at six levels of proficiency from Beginners to High Advanced. The courses of study include Communicative Grammar, Writing, Reading & Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening & Conversation, and Survival Skills (for Beginner and Basic levels).

Communicative Grammar:
This course teaches with practical contexts the patterns of English grammar and rules of use. Students learn how and when to use the grammar they are studying as well as the correct forms. The Grammar course is coordinated with the Writing course.

Writing:
Students work through the writing process step by step, from formulating ideas through revision. They learn to organize ideas, to use correct form and pronunciation, to use coherent structure, and how to edit and revise. Students write approximately two assignments per week as well as do other exercises in correcting and revising their writing.

Survival Skills:
(Beginners & Basic levels): Students learn information necessary to getting by in their daily lives. Topics include the learning about the university and its services, living in apartments, shopping, banking, getting around town, making phone calls, etc.

Pronunciation:
This course teaches the principles and techniques of English pronunciation, including producing individual sounds and sequences of sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation.

Listening & Conversation:
Students learn how to understand spoken English by working with materials from a wide variety of contexts and practicing speaking in formal and informal situations. They learn how to express their ideas in organized, grammatically acceptable ways.

Reading & Vocabulary:
This course teaches students a variety of types of reading and teaches the reading skills of skimming, scanning, guessing meaning from context, and interpreting an author's point of view. Vocabulary development teaches word building, use of the dictionary, and reading speed.

Communication Skills:
(Saturday & Evening classes): This course teaches students to communicate effectively using various modes of interactive English. It also enhances and enriches their understanding of social and cultural values and develops their language skills with an integrated approach in an immersion setting.

Listening & Conversation:
(Saturday & Evening classes): Students learn to understand spoken English by practicing with materials from a wide variety of contexts. Students also practice speaking in formal and informal situations. They learn how to express their ideas in organized and grammatically acceptable ways.

Accent Reduction:
Classes for professionals and scholars to perfect their communication skills.

TOEFL Preparation:
Classes total 24 hours per week for seven weeks. The following hours are designated for each class:
- Grammar & Writing: 6 hours/week
- Reading & Vocabulary: 6 hours/week
- Listening & Speaking: 6 hours/week
- IB-Test in the PALS Computer Lab: 6 hours/week

MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery):
PALS is a testing facility for MELAB.

MELAB Content:
The content of the test is aimed toward the level of English a student might encounter in an American university setting. On the listening test, the speakers use standard American English at a normal rate of delivery. The grammar items on the test focus on control of forms and structures of English which people might use when talking with each other. The vocabulary words tested are those frequently encountered in written sources. The reading comprehension passages, on a variety of subjects, are taken from books and magazines.

The test consists of three required parts: Composition, Listening, Grammar/Cloze/Vocabulary/Reading; and one optional Speaking test. The entire test takes from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours, including check-in procedures.

Note: The speaking test is not automatically included in every MELAB administration. The speaking test may not be taken separately. It may be taken only in conjunction with the written MELAB Exam.