This course is designed for students who wish to attend university in an English-speaking country. While many students perform well on tests such as the TOEFL and are accepted into universities in North America, Britain, Australia, etc., they are often surprised to find that in order to enroll in mandatory university English classes, they must also perform well on an essay placement exam issued by the individual universities. They are even more surprised (in the U.S.) when they do not score high enough to enroll in the necessary English classes and must complete up to a full year of developmental composition courses, for which they often must pay, but receive no academic credit, before they are permitted to enter the required English courses for graduation. As if that experience is not frustrating enough, before students are eligible for graduation from both undergraduate and graduate programs, they must pass another composition exam. If they fail that exam, they must retake the exam and are sometimes required to take more composition courses, increasing the amount of time and money they must spend on obtaining their degree. While many non-native English speakers assume that bad grammar or spelling are to blame for failing the tests, in reality, these are only a small part of most evaluations. Most universities place the most emphasis on content, structure, and vocabulary. These compositional skills are not necessarily addressed in classes designed to teach the English language, but are vital to academic success in North American, European, and other English-speaking universities. They are used not only in English courses, but in almost all university courses. In addition, most universities require prospective students to submit an essay along with their application for admission. A poor essay could prevent a student from even being accepted into the university. During this course students will have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence by reading and analyzing successful essays and by composing their own essays.

While grammar and spelling are important elements of university-level composition in English-speaking countries, most professors are mostly concerned with content, structure, and vocabulary. These compositional skills are not necessarily addressed in classes designed to teach the English language, but are vital to academic success in North American, European, and other English-speaking universities. They are used not only in English courses, but in almost all university courses. This class is designed to address these elements of composition.

Course goals:

1. to develop strategies for writing academic essays. These strategies will include generating ideas, organizing thoughts in the essay, rewriting and proof-reading,
2. to introduce and familiarize students with the basic elements of composition required in university courses in English-speaking countries,
3. to increase confidence and competence in academic-style writing,
4. to improve reading and critical thinking skills.

Course objectives:

1. students will analyze academic essays for structure and content,
2. students will practice prewriting, drafting, revising, and proofreading argumentative essays,
3. students will keep a weekly journal describing what they have learned and how that knowledge will help them improve future essays,
4. students will interact with classmates through a class bulletin board and e-mail.

People interested in taking the course should have a good command of English, a computer with Internet access and the book requested for the course. This book is "Great Essays by Keith S. Folse".

Starting date: September 9th, 2002
Ending date: October 31st, 2002
Cost: $400,000 pesos

Fill in the enrollment form. To do so, click here.

Pay the cost of the course in any of the ways described here

1. Ask for a paying slip at Instituto de Idiomas, Universidad del Norte. You can pay cash, by credit card or check to Universidad del Norte.
2. If you come sponsored by an institution: The institution should send a letter to Instituto de Idiomas, indicating the names of the people who will take part in the course and stating the commitment to pay for the course

Instituto de Idiomas
Universidad del Norte
Km 5 Via Pto Colombia Barranquilla, Colombia
Phone Numbers: 3509213 - 3509496
Fax: 3598852
E-mail: iidiomas@uninorte.edu.co

Contact:

María Carolina Bolívar. Coordinadora Programa de Extensión Lourdes Rey. Coordinadora Académica