English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate (Coursera)

The English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate course is for students with a (minimum) high-intermediate level of English. It is designed to help international students develop the academic skills necessary for success in undergraduate studies at an American university while strengthening their English proficiency. Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a high school diploma in their country and would like to come to the United States to study for a bachelor’s degree.

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The total length of time required to complete the course is approximately 4 weeks. Students should expect to spend about 5-7 hours per week working with the materials and assignments.
The course is made up of 4 modules:
• Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking
• Writer’s Workshop
• Reading and Note-taking
• Capstone Project
Each module consists of video lessons, opportunities for practicing English and academic skills, interactive discussion boards with classmates, and graded activities. All courses are asynchronous, which means that the lessons and their activities can be completed at any time of day or night, provided that all course assignments are completed by the final day of class.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for listening to and speaking about academic topics at the undergraduate level.

WEEK 2
Writer's Workshop
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for academic writing at the undergraduate level.

WEEK 3
Reading and Note Taking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for reading and taking notes about academic texts and at the undergraduate level.

WEEK 4
Capstone
The Pre-Collegiate capstone project is the final module of the English and Academic Preparation Program. In this module, you will not learn new information as you did in the previous modules, but rather apply the knowledge and skills you learned from the other modules in this academic certificate in order to complete a series of four tasks. The word "capstone" was historically used to signify the completion of a building. The capstone was considered the most important and last stone placed on a newly constructed building. In keeping with this tradition, your successful capstone project signifies you have completed the certificate program and earned a crowning achievement.

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