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Our programs

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Our Programs: English and Foreign Language Courses

English Courses

ESL 72 - General English

  • Study English for personal or professional reasons

  • Improve your skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar

  • Prepare for study at an American college or university

​​12 weeks per level, 18 class sessions weekly

4.5 hours a day, 9am-1:30pm, Monday-Thursday

TOEFL 72 - Preparation for the TOEFL iBT

  • Prepare for the TOEFL iBT test under the guidance of experienced instructors

  • Improve your skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar

  • Prepare for study at an American college or university

12 weeks per level, 18 class sessions weekly

4.5 hours a day, 9am-1:30pm, Monday-Thursday

English for Professionals

  • Emphasis on usage of English in professional environments

  • Practice of Communication and spoken English

12 weeks per level, 4 class sessions weekly

 

English for Communication

 

  • Emphasis on fluency in English for everyday communication

  • Practice of accent reduction

12 weeks per level, 4 class sessions weekly

English for Communication

 

  • Emphasis on fluency in English for everyday communication

  • Practice of accent reduction

12 weeks per level, 4 class sessions weekly

50 Plus English

 

  • Emphasis on fluency in English for everyday communication

  • Practice of accent reduction

12 weeks per level, 4 class sessions weekly

Family Group English

 

  • Emphasis on fluency in English for everyday communication

  • Practice of accent reduction

12 weeks per level, 4 class sessions weekly

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Description of Course Levels for the ESL and TOEFL Programs

 

LEVEL 1:  BEGINNING

A prerequisite for this level is the ability to write the English alphabet and numbers. This level introduces the students to the basics of English grammar with the objective to establish a strong foundation for spoken and written English. Everyday language and situations are used to practice and establish good usage in full sentences with subject-verb agreement, basic verbs, present and past tense, countable and non-countable nouns, definite and indefinite articles, Wh-questions, modals comparatives and time expressions. Writing includes work on basic sentence structure, paragraph form and punctuation. Grammar emphasizes simple and compound sentences in present, present continuous, and past tenses and the formation of questions in these tenses. In listening/speaking, students practice language appropriate for classroom interaction and limited conversation with native speakers.
 

LEVEL 2:  LOW INTERMEDIATE

Building on reading skills learned in Level 1, students increase vocabulary, speed and fluency and their confidence in speaking and simple writing. The following grammar topics are covered: verbs tense review, possessive adjectives and time expressions, present perfect tense, since/for, gerunds and infinitives, separable and inseparable verbs, and connectors, modal verbs, conditional, passive voice, reported speech, and tag questions. Students begin to draw conclusions about and summarize orally what they have read. In writing, students expand paragraphs and begin to combine paragraphs into longer compositions. A Level 2 student should be able to engage hesitatingly in social and academic conversation.
 

LEVEL 3:   INTERMEDIATE

Students at the Intermediate level practice more complicated and varied situations using more complex sentences. Emphasis is on practicing more verb tenses, modals and similar expressions, pronouns and phrasal verbs, modal verbs, since/for, already/yet, imperative, nouns and quantifiers, definite and indefinite articles, gerunds and infinitive. Students at this level concentrate on critical reading skills and move away from simply decoding. Students write longer compositions that have English style and form with thesis statements and more development of their ideas. Students begin to work on aural comprehension and speaking in authentic situations where language is less controlled for speed and vocabulary. Using authentic materials, students gain fluency, grammatical accuracy, and sophistication in listening and speaking.

 

LEVEL 4:  HIGH INTERMEDIATE

Students at the High Intermediate level have an above average command of English as evidenced in ease of reading and writing. Compositions show an identifiable progression of ideas with adequate support. Punctuation, capitalization, and spelling should be good with only occasional errors. Students solidify their understanding of verb tenses, including passive verbs and when to use them, phrasal verbs and modal verbs, conditional, including factual conditionals and unreal conditionals. Students should understand lectures and conversation with little difficulty and speak fluently with only occasional idiomatic imprecision.

 

LEVEL 5:  ADVANCED

Students at the completion of the Advanced level should have a good command of English. The skill areas are integrated so that students see the language as a whole. They should read and write with ease in an interesting style with good organization and support of ideas. The focus on grammar is on self-editing and usage in the student’s own writing and speaking. Students will learn research skills to aid in their transition to college and university classes. Vocabulary should be expressive with few errors in parts of speech. Advanced students should be able to interact comfortably and effectively with native speakers in most situations inside and outside the classroom.

 

LEVEL 6: TOEFL iBT Preparation

At the TOEFL level, students learn intensive test-taking strategies that allow them to develop a high level of general ability in the four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The skills at this level include writing, creativity and logic, grammar, listening, revising, reading, discussion, and critical analysis.  Integration of these skills while studying writing, vocabulary, and grammar improves their overall academic work in English. Students engage in specific skill-building exercises, reviewing test-taking strategies, and practicing with simulated TOEFL test problems.

 

TRANSFER STUDENTS:  If you come to AFI from a different intensive English school, our levels may be different than theirs.  You will be given a series of assessments during the first-day orientation to place you in the best level to ensure your success.

 

Level Placement Test

On the first day of the program, you will take an exam to determine your level of instruction. AFI starts with an English skills test to place you in one of 6 instructional levels: Beginning through Advanced.You study in classes with other students at similar levels. AFI uses its own English skills test to determine placement. TOEFL iBT® scores listed  are for comparison/information purposes only.

 

For information on measurable course objectives, or student learning outcomes, please click here

Nature of the Educational Program

Our curriculum is designed for college and university preparation. Completion of the advanced level meets admission requirements for some schools which have signed memoranda of understanding with the IEP.

Overview   >   Our programs

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