Upon entering UNIS, students who speak a language other than English at home and who are not fluent in English are assessed by the ESL teachers.
Evaluation results place a student in beginning, intermediate or advanced ESL classes, or in a full mainstream program at the appropriate grade level.
Tutorial One and Tutorial Two
Beginning ESL
The aim of the beginning level ESL course is the acquisition of basic English communicative and functional language skills and beginning academic language proficiency. Students learn to communicate about themselves, family, feelings and special interests. They acquire vocabulary to function in the immediate school environment and in New York City. The students learn simple English sentence structures in the affirmative, negative and question forms. They learn to read and comprehend fiction and non-fiction materials for the ESL beginning reader. Stimulated by reading, pictures, films or class discussions, students follow the sequence of the writing process in their beginning writing development. Students who are beginners in English all take Mathematics, Science, Art, Music and PE. Vocabulary needed for Mathematics and Science classes is acquired. They will do Humanities with the ESL teacher where the emphasis is placed upon learning subject-specific vocabulary and basic concepts using appropriate adapted material. They receive Humanities credit.
Tutorial One and Two
Intermediate ESL
The focus of the intermediate level ESL course is on broadening the students’ vocabulary, as well as helping them develop the ability to listen critically and to express a point of view in class discussions. Strong emphasis is placed on reading and writing to facilitate participation in mainstream classes. Students move from simplified to original material, working on comprehension, inference and prediction. Writing is personal, in response to reading, and analytic. The focus is on the process of writing, including drafts, proof reading, and editing. Grammar is taught both formally and informally as problems occur in students’ writing. Support is given to the students in Science and Humanities.
Tutorial One and Two
Advanced ESL
The aim of the advanced level ESL course is to bring the students’ communicative, functional, and academic proficiency to the level where full enrollment in all mainstream classes is possible. Students read advanced level material and gradually move into texts and assignments from mainstream Humanities and English classes. Much emphasis is placed on written expression, developing confidence in the use of complex verb tenses and constantly expanding English sentence combinations. Students will improve grammatical competency by learning conditional verb tenses, complex passive voice and longer and more sophisticated sentence structures. They continue to develop vocabulary and skills needed to perform in mainstream class work, including note taking, summarizing and predicting. There is a strong focus on paragraphing and logical sequence. Practice is given in analytical writing; fact-finding skills are developed further. Support is given as needed for mainstream classes.
This course leads to: Full integration in the mainstream curriculum and English A2 or B at Tutorial Three.
Tutorial Three
Beginning ESL
The aim of the beginning level ESL course is acquisition of basic English communicative and functional language skills and beginning academic language proficiency. Students learn to communicate about themselves, family, feelings and special interests. They acquire vocabulary to function in the immediate school environment and in New York City. The students learn simple English sentence structures in the affirmative, negative and question forms. They learn to read and comprehend fiction and non-fiction materials for the ESL beginning reader. Vocabulary needed for Mathematics and Science classes is acquired, and students work with simplified materials in the content area subjects. Stimulated by reading, pictures, films or class discussions, students follow the sequence of the writing process in their beginning writing development. Students who are beginners in English all take Mathematics, Science, Art, Music and PE. They may decide to take a one-year Humanities option in the Tutorial Four year.
This course leads to: Intermediate ESL and partial integration in the mainstream curriculum.
Tutorial Three and Tutorial Four
Intermediate ESL
The aim of the intermediate level ESL course is on helping students broaden their vocabulary, develop the ability to listen and express points of view in class discussions and increase reading and writing skills to facilitate participation in mainstream content classes. Students move from simplified to original material, working on comprehension, inference, prediction. Writing is personal, in response to reading and analytic. The focus is on the process of writing, including drafts, revision and editing. Grammar items are taught, and problems are dealt with as they occur in the students’ writing. Students keep a reading response journal.
This course leads to: Advanced ESL and greater integration in the mainstream curriculum.
Tutorial Three and Tutorial Four
Advanced ESL
The aim of the advanced level ESL course is acquisition of near-native fluency in communicative and academic language proficiency, leading to full integration into the mainstream academic, social and cultural life of UNIS. Students will improve grammatical competency by learning conditional verb tenses, complex passive voice and longer and more sophisticated sentence structures. They continue to develop vocabulary and skills needed to perform in mainstream class work, including note taking, summarizing and predicting. They will attain fluency and comprehension of reading texts used in mainstream classes. They will work on developing an organized critical essay with emphasis on original thought and analysis. Students will become familiar with the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
This course leads to: English B.