English as a Second Language (ESL-NI)

This course invites students at the upper intermediate level and above to explore a topic of interest while developing their linguistic and cultural fluency and confidence through engaging in the real use of English. You will develop strategies for improving your reading, writing, listening, and speaking while gaining knowledge in a concentrated area of study. Topics will rotate, so you may repeat the course to learn about—and improve your English-—through new topics.

This course invites students at the advanced level to explore an academic topic of interest while developing their linguistic and cultural fluency and confidence through engaging in the real use of English. You will develop strategies for improving your reading, writing, listening, and speaking while gaining knowledge in an academic area of study. Topics will rotate, so you may repeat the course to learn about—and improve your English—through new topics.

This class will focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening for academic purposes, with a particular emphasis on writing. It is designed to provide advanced English preparation to students preparing to begin full-time study in degree programs at NYU. Students will work with authentic sources and receive individualized feedback on accuracy, pronunciation, and both productive and receptive language skills.

This class will focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening for academic purposes, with a particular emphasis on writing. It is designed to provide our most advanced English preparation to students preparing to begin full-time study in degree programs at NYU. Students will work with authentic sources and receive individualized feedback on accuracy, pronunciation, and both productive and receptive language skills.

In this course, you will learn how to write and speak effectively in a variety of business settings. You will read business proposals and case studies that present management issues, write and edit emails, letters, reports, and evaluations, and analyze the cultural misunderstandings that can occur in a global business world. Through role plays, you will gain the practice necessary to engage in business interactions with confidence. By the end of the course, you will have improved your ability to socialize, present, communicate in writing, and conduct meetings and negotiations in English for a global business world. Note this is part one of a two-part course offered for six weeks during summer session I. Students are encouraged, but not required to, complete both parts.

Develop a strong foundation of conversational skills through communicative activities. Course participants learn about and practice discussing topics that frequently occur in everyday conversations, such as asking and responding to basic questions, and sharing information and opinions about likes, dislikes, and interests. The content of the course will be shaped by the needs and interests of the course participants.

Build a solid foundation in this comprehensive English course. Course participants have multiple opportunities to engage in speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities while building vocabulary and repertoire of basic structures in English. You can expect to develop basic communication skills that you can apply in everyday situations.

Taking a trip soon? English is the most common language spoken around the globe, so prepare for your travel experience by improving your English skills. Learn how to book travel, ask for directions, order food, arrange entertainment, and even make small talk with people you meet along the way. Develop the English language skills you need to travel like a pro.

Practice using English through communicative activities and collaborative tasks. Course participants practice brief, everyday conversational exchanges, such as asking and responding to basic questions, and sharing information and opinions about likes, dislikes, and interests. You will also work with classmates to complete tasks that require you to use your developing English. The content of the course will be shaped by the needs and interests of the course participants.

Build a solid foundation in this comprehensive English course. Course participants have multiple opportunities to engage in speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities while building vocabulary and repertoire of basic structures in English. You can expect to develop basic communication skills that you can apply in everyday situations.

Boost your language learning with extra focus on vocabulary and grammar. Learn how to use new vocabulary in a variety of contexts and constructions. Participants will also practice using helpful vocabulary and grammar learning strategies.

Increase your exposure to key vocabulary and English structures as you begin to develop reading fluency. With support from the instructor, participants in this hybrid course will learn to select English reading materials that are appealing and at the appropriate level. You will set reading goals, chart your progress, and share your learning with classmates.

Boost your language learning with extra focus on vocabulary and grammar. Learn how to use new vocabulary in a variety of contexts and constructions. Participants will also practice using helpful vocabulary and grammar learning strategies.

Taking a trip soon? English is the most common language spoken around the globe, so prepare for your travel experience by improving your English skills. Learn how to book travel, ask for directions, order food, arrange entertainment, and even make small talk with people you meet along the way. Develop the English language skills you need to travel like a pro.

Learn about the history, unique culture, and sites of interest in various cities in the United States. Course participants work in groups to create a travel guide to a place in the USA that they are interested in. At the end of the course, groups present this project to their classmates. Participants can expect to improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while learning more about the USA.

Build on a strong foundation of conversational skills through communicative activities. Course participants learn about and practice discussing less familiar topics while developing the ability to state and defend opinions, ask follow-up and clarification questions, and disagree respectfully. The content of the course will be shaped by the needs and interests of the course participants.

Learn, review, and apply language, communication, and learning skills through close examination of one or more themes and engagement in a semester-length project. Together with your classmates and instructor, select a theme and design a project. You will use your English language skills to complete that project over the course of the semester. You can expect to develop confidence and increase your ability to use English for learning and communicating with others.

Develop your presentation skills. Learn the keys to great public speaking skills, including key preparation techniques, winning organization strategies, standard phrases used in presentations and speeches, clear annuncation and pronunciation, attractive visual aids, and appropriate nonverbal communication styles. Participants also receive individual feedback on their own strengths and weaknesses and personalized advice on how to improve. You can expect to give a formal prepared speech and informal talks.

Learn about basic marketing strategies and analyze the persuasive techniques and the language used in authentic TV commercials and print ads. Course participants will collaborate to create their own print and/or TV ads. You can expect to expand your vocabulary (especially natural, spoken registers) and to improve your grammatical accuracy, pronunciation, and fluency.

Paint with words as you create vivid written descriptions of events, people, and places. Course participants will engage in writing tasks that develop writing fluency and voice. Work on multiple drafts as you study paragraph and narrative structure, development, and organization, and improve your ability to edit your own writing and organize your ideas. You can expect to develop skills to be a better writer at work, in school, or in other areas of your life.

Learn how to write and speak effectively in a variety of business settings. Participants read about business and management issues; write and edit emails, letters, reports, and evaluations; and analyze the cultural misunderstandings that can occur in an international and multicultural business settings. Through role plays, participants gain the practice necessary to engage in business interactions with confidence. You can expect to improve your ability to use English to socialize, present, communicate in writing, and participate in meetings in today's global business world.

Gain a working knowledge of the sounds and rhythms of North American English. Through intensive practice of consonants, vowels, intonation, stress, and rhythm, course participants develop techniques for speaking clearly in a variety of settings. Instructors use recordings, pronunciation exercises, dialogues, discussions, and other interactive activities. Each participant will receive individualized feedback. Identify your pronunciation trouble spots and devise strategies for achieving more accurate and fluent speech.

This course is for people who need help in writing effectively, accurately, and comfortably. Particpants develop the ability to produce correct, well-developed texts on a variety of topics. You will receive guidance and practice in the selection and use of appropriate vocabulary, grammatical structures, and punctuation. You will also learn to identify and correct your own errors in a supportive atmosphere in which feedback is intensive and individualized.

This course helps develop the writing skills required in contemporary business and other professional contexts. Learn techniques for writing effective emails, memos, and reports for a variety of audiences, becoming more accurate, clear, and concise. You will learn about organization, style, and tone through weekly readings and writing assignments. Through the use of realistic professional models, and intensive individual feedback, you can expect to learn how to express yourself clearly and persuasively.

Designed for people who are uncomfortable speaking English in both professional and more casual settings, this course helps participants speak more fluently and accurately. You can expect to develop your listening comprehension and improve your self-confidence. Activities include discussions, presentations, and role-plays. Work on volume, pacing of speech, correct grammar and word choices, as well as posture and body language, all while receiving intensive individualized attention.

Go beyond grammar rules, drills, and vocabulary lists. Learn about functional grammar to gain a deeper understanding of and control over the structure of English. Understand the shades of meaning of words and phrases and how and when to use them appropriately while speaking and writing in English.

Become a pro at writing emails for a global audience. Learn how to plan and write clear, concise, and logical emails with appropriate tone and register. Course participants master the most common types of email and learn how to best use auto-responders, acknowledge receipt of an email, and follow up on unanswered mail. You will have the opportunity to practice writing emails tailored to your specific needs in work or academic contexts and receive individual feedback.

Learn how to lead and participate actively in business meetings with international co-workers, customers, and clients. Participants learn how to lead a professional meeting while practicing the most effective ways to persuade, make polite requests, offer critique without being rude, and mediate discussions. Participants also learn practical English business vocabulary and expressions and practice using them in meeting role-plays, formal and informal discussions, and conference calls and video conferencing. Become a more confident leader capable of expressing your ideas and opinions in an international workplace.

Acquire the skills necessary for successful collaborative negotiations. Negotiations are a part of life at work, when making major purchases, with family members, or in other interpersonal exchanges. Course participants learn the etiquette and expectations of the negotiation process while mastering English phrases to signal their purpose. Develop interpersonal skills, including active listening, acknowledging the other party, offering alternatives, and working with the other party in order to reach a mutually beneficial compromise. Discover how body language can send non-verbal messages. Gain confidence in your ability to express what you want and to work successfully with others toward a win–win solution.

Increase your knowledge and usage of everyday English vocabulary. Informal English is used in universities (by students and professors), in TV shows and other media, in the workplace, and in daily life. Idioms, colloquialisms, phrasal verbs and even proverbs are studied through a variety of media and classroom activities. You will improve your ability to understand language through context as well as your listening and speaking skills.

The English language is full of phrasal verbs such as show up, pull over, pass out, look after, get over, and hundreds more. This course presents many of the most common English phrasal verbs in engaging contexts. Read and hear phrasal verbs via authentic texts – readings, speeches, songs, and videos. Analyze the meaning, appropriate use, and grammatical considerations of each phrasal verb, with plenty of opportunities to practice using these newly acquired terms. By the end of this course, participants will have a better understanding of phrasal verbs in English and how to use them correctly.

Go beyond grammar rules, drills, and vocabulary lists. Learn about functional grammar to gain a deeper understanding of and control over the structure of English. Understand the shades of meaning of words and phrases and how and when to use them appropriately while speaking and writing in English.

Enhance your ability to think critically while reading short general interest articles and think pieces. Course participants develop comprehension skills and practice analyzing structure, writing style, language use, and content. Engage in discussion and short reflective writing tasks that allow you to respond to the selections and exchange ideas with classmates.

Develop your reading skills while reading one or more best-selling novels in English. Course participants learn how to identify main ideas, themes, and vocabulary in context; relate ideas to real life; and summarize sections of the text. Class activities may include discussion, short poster presentations, dramatic readings and enactments, reading journals, vocabulary journals, and short summaries.

Gain an introduction to the norms and nuances of American business culture, from handshakes and small talk to the complexities of establishing good working relationships and engaging in negotiations. Engage in role plays, presentations, and discussions about readings, and analyze business interactions to understand possible areas for misunderstanding. You will learn communication strategies so that you can engage successfully with colleagues, customers, and clients. You can expect to become more comfortable and confident with your ability to share your ideas and influence your business partners in an American business setting.

Learn about the history and unique culture of New York City while also developing practical language skills for traveling. Course participants receive tips for getting around New York and enjoying all that this famous city has to offer. Through course projects, participants apply reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to focus on aspects of the city that are of most interest to them.

Learn how to write and speak effectively in a variety of business settings. Participants read about business and management issues; write and edit emails, letters, reports, and evaluations; and analyze the cultural misunderstandings that can occur in an international and multicultural business settings. Through role plays, participants gain the practice necessary to engage in business interactions with confidence. You can expect to improve your ability to use English to socialize, present, communicate in writing, and participate in meetings in today's global business world.

Gain a working knowledge of the sounds and rhythms of North American English. Through intensive practice of consonants, vowels, intonation, stress, and rhythm, course participants develop techniques for speaking clearly in a variety of settings. Instructors use recordings, pronunciation exercises, dialogues, discussions, and other interactive activities. Each participant will receive individualized feedback. Identify your pronunciation trouble spots and devise strategies for achieving more accurate and fluent speech.

Improve your English communication skills by attending to the way you and others around you use the language in and out of class. Course participants have the opportunity to bring in questions about English interactions they take part in and observe outside class, with the instructor acting as cultural and linguistic informant. Working together with input and feedback from the instructor, you will make sense of puzzling incidents and develop communication strategies to make your future interactions go more smoothly.

Improve your English language writing skills in tasks encountered in the human resources profession. Course participants work on effective written communication in areas related to the recruitment process and management and retention of current employees. Throughout this course, you will produce various texts types, such as job postings, offer letters, rejection letters, employee on-boarding documents, performance reviews, and employee recognition notices. Learn how to analyze effective writing and incorporate solid writing skills in English into your own work.

Increase your knowledge and usage of everyday English vocabulary. Informal English is used in universities (by students and professors), in TV shows and other media, in the workplace, and in daily life. Idioms, colloquialisms, phrasal verbs and even proverbs are studied through a variety of media and classroom activities. You will improve your ability to understand language through context as well as your listening and speaking skills.

Learn about the history, unique culture, and sites of interest in various cities in the United States. Course participants work in groups to create a travel guide to a place in the USA that they are interested in. At the end of the course, groups present this project to their classmates. Participants can expect to improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while learning more about the USA.

This course prepares students to produce a variety of texts, such as emalls and other professional correspondence.

Communication challenges in describing procedures, processes, and instructions, particularly across cultures, can lead to serious consequences. Learn how to use logical connections and linear thinking to convey this type of information clearly and concisely. You can expect to improve your ability to explain procedures, processes, and instructions, as well as your ability to understand and respond appropriately to others' explanations.

Enhance your ability to think critically while reading short general interest articles and think pieces. Course participants develop comprehension skills and practice analyzing structure, writing style, language use, and content. Engage in discussion and short reflective writing tasks that allow you to respond to the selections and exchange ideas with classmates.

Develop your reading skills while reading one or more best-selling novels in English. Course participants learn how to identify main ideas, themes, and vocabulary in context; relate ideas to real life; and summarize sections of the text. Class activities may include discussion, short poster presentations, dramatic readings and enactments, reading journals, vocabulary journals, and short summaries.

This 6-hour series of tutorials will provide intermediate and advanced language students the opportunity for one-on-one listening and speaking practice with a faculty. The individual tutorials are an additional support for students who will take intermediate or advanced group classes.

Deepen your understanding of a popular American/foreign TV series while improving your English. Course participants learn about the cultural context and references that enrich the story. You will analyze the language in episode excerpts and practice incorporating new vocabulary, structures, and registers in your own use of English.

Expand your knowledge of U.S. American culture, history, and popular music. This course examines the musical roots of today's American music and the historical events surrounding some of the most influential songs of the last century. Course participants read, analyze, discuss, and summarize articles and song lyrics to develop reading ability and expand vocabulary while also deepening musical and cultural knowledge. By the end of this course, you will be able to engage critically with texts and participate more confidently in discussions.

Develop an understanding of the process of communicating across cultural boundaries. Through readings and activities, course participants practice applying analytical skills to examine intercultural interaction; consider techniques for improving intercultural communication within various types of environments; and increase awareness of their own cultural norms and how they affect behavior, values, and perceptions. This course will equip you with tools and skills that you will be able to apply in the intercultural contexts you find yourself in at home and abroad.

TED Talks give the public the opportunity to hear from great thinkers working around the word in many disciplines and walks of life. This course will help you access some of the great TED talks in English. Develop your listening skills and strategies while also learning about what makes a great lecture. Along the way, you can expect to expand your vocabulary and range of structures in your receptive and productive language use.

Improve your ability to engage actively in discussions on current global topics. Course participants read and listen to news reports on current issues and then respond to the topics in a variety of ways, including class discussion, written responses, and presentations. Expand your vocabulary, refine your critical reading and listening skills, and improve your speaking ability as you participate in vocabulary building exercises, learn to present your position on a topic to a small group as well as to a larger audience, and practice defending a particular position. By the end of this course, you will be able to converse more confidently on events taking place around the world.

Community service is a respected practice in many parts of the world. Learn about traditions of community service, volunteerism, and civic engagement in North America while you explore similar practices in China. Course participants will apply what they learn in class to plan and carry out service projects or volunteer experiences in the local community. Language and communication skills will be developed through reading, journaling, reflective tasks, discussions, and presentations.

Idioms are a common component of speech in many settings, particularly in American business settings. Learn the meaning and appropriate use of many idioms and fixed expressions that are frequently encountered in business settings, publications, and other media. This knowledge will enable you to better understand and participate effectively in formal and informal conversations in the business world.

Prepare for your job search by clarifying your goals and strengths and learn how to position yourself in the international job market. Course participants learn to market themselves across various media platforms in English by making use of social media such as LinkedIn. Become skilled in creating a consistent message about yourself that highlights your skills and makes you stand out as a professional in your field.

Prepare for a successful job search by learning to write a powerful résumé and a memorable cover letter in English. Write several versions of your résumé and produce application letters targeted to various audiences. Course participants receive extensive, individual feedback in a supportive, professional setting.

Master the fundamentals of job interviewing in English and the key elements that can make a critical difference in securing an offer in the international job market. Learn how to respond to common interview questions, know what to do when the unexpected question arises, and feel comfortable and confident during the process. Class activities incorporate online and face-to-face interview role-playing situations, networking strategies, and best practices in following up with prospective employers.

Gain an introduction to U.S. higher education and the culture of the American university classroom as you learn about the educational values that form the basis of ethical academic inquiry in the USA. Course participants learn how to decipher course syllabi, analyze what constitutes an ideal student in the USA, and practice skills and strategies needed to have a successful and rewarding overseas experience. Acquire a better understanding of what to expect--and what will be expected of you--when you arrive at a U.S. college, university, or graduate school.

Break the stereotype of the quiet international student! Learn about the role that class participation plays in U.S. university courses and what professors expect of their students. Course participants develop critical thinking skills as they practice asking questions about a lecture or reading, responding to Socratic questioning, and leading and participating in class discussions. Specific skills practiced in online and in-class activities include agreeing and disagreeing, stating and supporting an opinion, summarizing an argument, gaining the floor, responding to classmates, and integrating personal experience with reading and lecture topics.

Idioms are a common component of speech in many settings, particularly in American business settings. Learn the meaning and appropriate use of many idioms and fixed expressions that are frequently encountered in business settings, publications, and other media. This knowledge will enable you to better understand and participate effectively in formal and informal conversations in the business world.

Improve your ability to engage actively in discussions on current global topics. Course participants read and listen to news reports on current issues and then respond to the topics in a variety of ways, including class discussion, written responses, and presentations. Expand your vocabulary, refine your critical reading and listening skills, and improve your speaking ability as you participate in vocabulary building exercises, learn to present your position on a topic to a small group as well as to a larger audience, and practice defending a particular position. By the end of this course, you will be able to converse more confidently on events taking place around the world.

Learn about the educational values, classroom practices, and cultural traditions in American programs of higher education. Course participants learn practical skills such as decoding course syllabi and assignment instructions in addition to developing classroom participation skills. Build your critical thinking skills as you practice asking questions about a lecture or reading, respond to Socratic questioning, and participate in and lead class discussions. By the end of the course, participants gain a better understanding of what to expect--and what will be expected--when you arrive at a U.S. college, university, or graduate program.

Hone your speaking and listening skills through advance communicative activities. Course participants practice and improve their ability to manage conversations on a variety of topics; direct discussions; check for understanding and make adjustments tailored to a specific audience; paraphrase and summarize others’ arguments; and offer, reject, and accept suggestions. The content of the course will be shaped by the needs and interests of the course participants.

This course offers an analysis of famous speakers and speeches from the 20th century. You will read, listen to, and watch a variety of notable speeches while analyzing the vocabulary use, examining the content, and evaluating the delivery style. You will learn different rhetorical and prosodic devices and practice using them in a variety of contexts for different effects. While building these skills, you will write your own speeches and practice presenting them to the class. By the end of the course, you will better understand what makes speakers and their speeches successful and make use of new strategies for writing and delivering stronger oral presentations.

Enhance your ability to understand, build, and deliver arguments and opinions. In this course, you will study different types of strategic arguments and logical fallacies to expose the difference between strong and weak reasoning. You will also learn what can be regarded as evidence and how to test it for validity. By learning the terms and language of argumentation through classic cases and debates, you will expand your critical thinking and analytical skills. These skills will be practiced and tested through structured debates, giving you the opportunity to present, challenge and defend your own ideas. This course also offers you the opportunity to improve your interpersonal communication, public speaking, and problem solving skills.

Learn effective ways to present and defend your own opinion in your writing. Develop your ability to use logical arguments and provide evidence to support your ideas. Course participants study paragraph structure, development, and organization, as well as essay structure, while working on multiple drafts to improve the ability to self-edit and organize ideas. By the end of the course, you will be able to write a 5-paragraph essay in which you develop your own argument on a debatable issue.

This course is for people proficient in English who need to further develop their writing skills. Participants learn techniques to strengthen their own writing by reading the best writers. Write weekly texts with emphasis on organization, audience, word choice, sentence structure, and style. With increased confidence, you will learn to examine your own writing with a critical eye and a finer sense of what makes writing effective.

This class is for professionals who want to strengthen their writing skills. Participants develop strategies and skills necessary for writing professional, clear, and succinct communications. The course emphasizes key elements for effective professional writing: purpose, audience, structure, and language, as well as style, tone, and grammar in context. Types of writing covered include emails, memos, proposals, reports, and other communications used in professional contexts. With intensive individual feedback from the instructor, you can expect to become a more natural, sophisticated, and professional writer.

This course prepares fluent speakers to function more comfortably in situations in which educated English is expected. Participants learn how to polish their delivery skills and diction and improve their use of English structures, while addressing intonation, volume, and body language. Explore confidence-building techniques as you plan formal and informal presentations, take part in discussions, and expand your knowledge of vocabulary and idioms, all while receiving intensive individualized error correction.

Expand your vocabulary and learn how to use a broader range of phrases and structures to make your writing and speech more polished and sophisticated. Workshop participants analyze complex structures and novel word choices to unlock meaning in difficult texts and practice expanding their own linguistic repertoire in writing and speech.

Expand your vocabulary and learn how to use a broader range of phrases and structures to make your writing and speech more polished and sophisticated. Workshop participants analyze complex structures and novel word choices to unlock meaning in difficult texts and practice expanding their own linguistic repertoire in writing and speech.

Develop your critical reading skills and enhance your vocabulary while reading short and medium-length works of nonfiction. Depending on the backgrounds and interests of the course participants, you may read articles, essays, blog posts, editorials, white papers, and research articles. Learn to distinguish among differences in style, tone, and structure across genres. Identify authors' perspectives and assumptions, and use inferences to make sense of information presented indirectly or implicitly.

Read great works of literary fiction. Course participants will read one or more novel or short story collection in English. Develop critical reading and thinking skills while learning about the structure of the text, common literary devices, and character development. Class activities may include discussion, short poster presentations, dramatic readings and enactments, reading journals, vocabulary journals, and short summaries.

Acquire skills and strategies to incorporate outside sources into your own writing and understand the nuances of what constitutes plagiarism and how to formulate and express original ideas. Course participants develop key advanced reading and writing skills including active reading and reflecting, summarizing, note taking and text annotation, citing, quoting, and paraphrasing. By the end of this course, you will have learned how to use texts appropriately to strengthen your own ideas.

These advanced English seminars allow participants to learn about current topics through authentic English materials. Improve your language and communication skills while deepening your knowledge on a timely topic.

This course prepares students to produce a variety of texts, such as reports and other professional correspondence.

Develop your critical reading skills and enhance your vocabulary while reading short and medium-length works of nonfiction. Depending on the backgrounds and interests of the course particpants, you may read articles, essays, blog posts, editorials, white papers, and research articles. Learn to distinguish among differences in style, tone, and structure across genres. Identify authors' perspectives and assumptions, and use inferences to make sense of information presented indirectly or implicitly.

Read great works of literary fiction. Course participants will read one or more novel or short story collection in English. Develop critical reading and thinking skills while learning about the structure of the text, common literary devices, and character development. Class activities may include discussion, short poster presentations, dramatic readings and enactments, reading journals, vocabulary journals, and short summaries.

Acquire skills and strategies to incorporate outside sources into your own writing and understand the nuances of what constitutes plagiarism and how to formulate and express original ideas. Course participants develop key advanced reading and writing skills including active reading and reflecting, summarizing, note taking and text annotation, citing, quoting, and paraphrasing. By the end of this course, you will have learned how to use texts appropriately to strengthen your own ideas.