For the Intensive English Program curriculum, we use both the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks for our curriculum (see below for benchmark explanations). This curriculum is used for course and syllabus design as well as assessment of student achievement.
Within this curriculum, our program follows five different levels: A1/CLB 1-2, A2/CLB 3-4, B1/CLB 5-6, B2/CLB 7-8, and C1/CLB 9-10. Students’ levels are determined at the beginning of each session by completion of placement testing (writing, speaking, reading & listening). Students’ movement up through the different levels is determined by assessment of student learning outcomes.
We have three core classes: Reading, Listening & Speaking, and Writing. We have two elective content courses: High (B/C) Listening & Reading and Low Listening & Reading (A). We also have two online IELTS preparation courses: Reading & Writing and Listening & Speaking.
Below are detailed descriptions of the curriculum for each level and for each course that we offer and detailed descriptions of the Canadian Language Benchmark Can-Do statements. If you have any questions about the curriculum, email the English Language Academy at el-academy@uwm.edu.
Reading:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in reading will improve English reading comprehension and vocabulary development. Students will read a variety of academic (academic journals, textbooks, etc.) and non-academic texts (newspapers, blogs, magazines, books, etc.) of various lengths. The reading skills (scanning, skimming, improving fluency, etc.) you build in this class will help improve your English for your academic, professional, and personal goals.
- EAP 60 – A1/CLB 1-2 Reading
- EAP 60 – A2/CLB 3-4 Reading
- EAP 60 – B1/CLB 5-6 Reading
- EAP 60 – B2/CLB 7-8 Reading
- EAP 60 – C1/CLB 9-10 Reading
Listening & Speaking:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in Listening & Speaking will engage in a variety of communicative activities in order to improve listening skills. Students will focus on increasing listening comprehension which will then improve speaking to be more fluent and accurate. Students will be exposed to listening texts from various popular and academic sources (lectures, tv shows, films, newscasts, etc.). The listening skills you will build are understanding main ideas and details, building vocabulary, and understanding rhetoric of spoken texts. The speaking skills you will build are pronunciation accuracy and fluency.
- EAP 70 A-1/CLB 1-2 Listening & Speaking
- EAP 70 A-2/CLB 3-4 Listening & Speaking
- EAP 70 B-1/CLB 5-6 Listening & Speaking
- EAP 70 B-2/CLB 7-8 Listening & Speaking
- EAP 70 C-1/CLB 9-10 Listening & Speaking
Writing:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in Writing will develop their grammar and writing skills (understanding rhetoric, tone, mood, and using various types of writing, such as comparison and contrast, persuasive, and descriptive). Students will write on a wide range of subjects, ranging from personal and popular topics of interest to more academic topics.
- EAP 80 – A1/CLB 1-2 Writing
- EAP 80 – A2/CLB 3-4 Writing
- EAP 80 – B1/CLB 5-6 Writing
- EAP 80 – B2/CLB 7-8 Writing
- EAP 80 – C1/CLB 9-10 Writing
Listening/Reading Content Course – A level:
This course supplements listening and reading skills taught in the 060 and 070 classes. Assessments of students from this class may be part of their overall assessment. Instructor needs to confer with core class teachers about lessons and skills covered in the content course to make sure there is no repetition of the same materials as well as a confirmation of skills that need to be reinforced.
Listening/Reading Content Course – B level:
This course supplements listening and reading skills taught in the 060 & 070 classes. 25% of the focus of this class should be on note-taking. Students read on a daily basis and discuss vocabulary and meaning in reading materials to expand their overall comprehension of written academic English. Assessments of students from this class may be part of their overall assessment. Instructor needs to confer with core class teachers about lessons and skills covered in the content course to make sure there is no repetition of the same materials as well as a confirmation of skills that need to be reinforced.
Canadian Language Benchmark Can-Do Statements:
The following Canadian Language Benchmark Can-Do statements are a tool for understanding the Canadian Language Benchmark levels.