688 - Intensive English and Academic Orientation for Foreign
Graduate Students, Summer 2012
July 6 - August 17
READ THE INFORMATION BELOW, THEN
Click here for an application
| Overview. EFS 688 is an intensive English and academic
orientation program designed to prepare incoming international
graduate students for full-time study in the autumn. Typically,
about half the students are continuing to Stanford and the rest
are going to other US graduate schools. |
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EFS 688 is a 6-unit, credit course with 20 class hours
per week lasting 6 weeks (July 6-August 17). The tuition cost for 2012 is
$5,208.
Note that we also have special sections of this program for
Visiting Scholars
who are
either currently at a US university or will be going to one
during the 2012-2013 academic year. Click
here
for information on that program, EFS 688V
This program provides a bridge between the students' years of
formal study of the English language in their home countries and
the situation they will soon be in that will require them to use
English on a daily basis at a U.S. university.
The goals of this program are the following:
- to improve the student's fluency and accuracy in English as much as possible during
the period of instruction;
- to develop the student's ability to continue learning and using
effective communication
strategies throughout the stay in the United States;
- to provide an orientation to the expectations of the
university, faculty, and peers both inside and out of the
classroom;
- to prepare students to be more confident and active
participants in all aspects of their graduate programs.
Upon arrival, students are tested and placed into spoken
language classes with others at their level of proficiency.
Placement in writing classes is made according to academic area, with separate
sections for business, humanities/social science, and engineering/science.
Reserved class times are MTThF 9:30-11:50 and 1:15-3:05 and Fridays 3:15-5:00.
Elective courses (EFS 689 sections, see below) will be scheduled for
late afternoons and Wednesdays. Due to the intensive nature of
the instruction, we do not encourage students to take other Stanford
courses while they are in this program.
In addition to classroom instruction, students may be doing work in the
language laboratory and university libraries. Orientation to life at Stanford is
provided by discussions, informal outings, and social events in conjunction with
summer activities at Bechtel International Center and the dormitories. Informal
advising
will be provided by instructors and graduate and undergraduate students
attached to the program.
All students who enroll in this program must agree to comply
with the following requirements:
- Speak only English in class and in all program
activities.
- Attend classes regularly, every session each day for all
six weeks.
- Fulfill all course requirements, including meeting paper
deadlines.
- Demonstrate substantial effort and progress in the
development of communication skills in English necessary
for academic success.
Core Classes
All students will have 20 class hours each week, divided
among the following classes.
Listening Comprehension and Discussion. This class consists
of activities involving listening to recorded excerpts from
television, radio, and university lectures, with special emphasis
on comprehending reduced forms, idiomatic expressions, and rapid
speech. The content of these excerpts provides topics and issues so that students
can get experience in talking
freely in small groups with guidance from
the instructor. The purpose is to prepare students to participate
actively and effectively in group meetings, academic discussions
and graduate seminars.
Effective Communication. This class provides practice in
conversational English with emphasis on current usage in natural
situations for both academic and everyday uses of English. It also includes training and
practice in the presentation of prepared academic talks with
feedback from the instructor and classmates. The language focus is on fluency
and clear, effective pronunciation.
Writing. This seven hour/week class focuses on academic
writing, with some work in reading and vocabulary development. As
a final project, engineering, science, humanities, and social
science students will write a research paper. Business students
will write one or more case studies.
Consultation. This two hour/week class gives students
the opportunity to meet with a graduate student in their own
field or a related one to get an insider's view of graduate school in the US. It includes discussion within academic
interest groups, information on university requirements, and
individual guidance on academic papers. Note that the structure for business
sections is slightly different, involving guest speakers.
Academic Lecture Series. Each week includes a one-hour academic
lecture by a Stanford faculty member. Presenters come from various
departments but offer topics of general interest. This provides
additional practice in listening comprehension and contact with
Stanford professors and lecturers.
Community Lecture Series. On
Friday afternoons, we host individual speakers and panels from the Stanford
community speaking on topics of cultural interest. The presentation is followed
by a social hour where students can interact with the guest speakers, EFS
teaching staff
and one another in a natural social setting.
Elective Classes:
EFS 689 Series
In addition to the courses listed above, students in EFS 688 may take up to
four elective courses. These are offered as sections of EFS 689, Special Topics
in English. Each requires one additional unit of tuition (note two units
for 689P Pronunciation): see the application for more information.
EFS 689E: Learning
English on Your Own
EFS courses will help
you improve your English while you are in them, but how can you continue to
improve consistently outside of a formal class structure?
Learning English on Your Own aims to show you how to become a more
successful independent language learner.
The course includes an introduction to discoveries researchers have made
about second language learning and helps you identify your strengths and
weaknesses as a learner.
It introduces you to a variety of useful language learning strategies and
stresses the importance outlining learning objectives, setting and maintaining
practice schedules, and evaluating your progress. The majority of the course
focuses on free or inexpensive resources available through the language lab, TV,
radio and especially the World Wide Web, training you in how to get the most
from them.
EFS 689H: American Humor
Humor is an important part of life at American universities.
Professors often tell jokes during lectures and group meetings,
students like to "kid around", and campus newspapers
feature editorial cartoons and humor columns. In this course,
students study many examples of jokes and humorous stories that
Americans find amusing, practicing advanced listening
comprehension and expanding your understanding of English idioms
at the same time. Note that this is an advanced class: An iBT TOEFL
score of 100 or above is strongly recommended.
EFS 689L: Living in the USA
This course focuses on life and relationships outside the university classroom.
The goal is to help you become familiar with the multiple expectations and the
language usage that Americans bring to a variety of situations in the university
and in other social situations you may encounter. Among the many areas to be
discussed are strategies for both casual and serious conversation, professional
relationships in academe (including with professors, colleagues, and
undergraduate students), interacting with neighbors and acquaintances, American
social customs, and an introduction to the intersecting issues of race,
religion, politics and gender. This course is particularly recommended for
doctoral students or others who are anticipating an extended stay in the US.
EFS 689P: Pronunciation
In this course, you will have two classes each week where elements of English
pronunciation are explained, demonstrated, and practiced. This includes not only
a review of the basic sounds, but also the stress, intonation and rhythm
patterns so important to natural-sounding speech. You will also have several tutorial meetings with the instructor where you can get
help with individual problems.
EFS 689T Interacting in California's Vineyard Culture
This course serves as a vehicle for developing focused communicative skills in
the context of California's renowned wine culture. You will learn the
language of wine: how to talk about wine informally using appropriate
terminology, navigate restaurant wine lists, and interact knowledgeably with
restaurant and retail wine staff. At the same time, you will become a more
sophisticated consumer of wine by learning the fundamentals of vineyard
techniques, varietal characteristics, tasting techniques, and drinking and
ordering etiquette. Classes are co-taught by a wine expert and an ESL
instructor. Each class meeting will consist of a short interactive
lecture, a communicative activity such as role playing, and a tasting of four
specially selected wines. Participants must be at least 21 years old.
EFS 689V: Vocabulary and Idiom
One of the most difficult aspects of a new language is learning
to use and understand idioms and metaphors. This course takes an
analytical approach to the study of idiomatic language, analyzing
idioms and metaphors in order to understand what they reflect
about American culture. Students also discuss the history of
words and the ways that Americans combine words to invent new
ones. Class time will include exercises to practice idioms and
advanced vocabulary.
EFS 689W: Working in the USA
This course explores the language and
culture of the workplace. The goal is to help you become familiar with the
expectations Americans bring to a variety of situations in the business setting
and in social situations related to business. Among the many areas to be
discussed are strategies for professional conversation, relationships with
superiors, co-workers, and subordinates, and American business customs.
Activities include discussions and role plays linked to workplace settings. This
course is particularly recommended for those in business or who expect to work
with Americans in a professional capacity after graduation.
Application Process
Last updated: December 16, 2011
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