688V - Intensive English and Academic Orientation for Visiting Scholars, Summer 2008

June 27 - August 8

READ THE INFORMATION BELOW, THEN Click here for an application

Overview. EFS 688V is an intensive English and academic orientation program designed to prepare incoming visiting scholars of all types (researchers, professors, postdoctoral fellows, etc.) for their US university experience. Many of the scholars in previous years have been associated with the Asia/Pacific Research Center. This program is primarily designed for scholars who are coming to Stanford during the 2008-2009 academic year, but current visitors and those planning to go to other universities are also welcome to apply.

EFS 688V is a 5-unit, credit course with 17 class hours per week lasting 6 weeks (June 27-August 8). The tuition cost for 2008 is $3,785.

This program provides a bridge between the scholars' 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 scholar's fluency and accuracy in English as much as possible during the period of instruction;
• to develop the scholar'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 and research lab;
• to prepare scholars to be more confident and active participants in all aspects of their academic pursuits.

Scholars meet as a group for morning classes in pronunciation and reading/writing/vocabulary. They are then mixed with the students from EFS 688 for afternoon spoken language classes.

Reserved class times are MTThF 10:00-11:50 and 1:15-3:05. Elective courses (EFS 689 sections) will be scheduled for late afternoons and Wednesdays. Due to the intensive nature of the instruction, we do not encourage scholars to take other Stanford courses while they are in this program.

In addition to classroom instruction, scholars will 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.

All scholars 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 scholars will have seventeen 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 and Pronunciation.  This class meets three mornings a week and focuses on language production. It presents an overview of selected elements of English academic and professional writing. In addition concepts central to English pronunciation are explained, demonstrated, and practiced, including not only a review of the basic sounds, but also the stress, intonation and rhythm patterns so important to natural-sounding speech. Scholars typically meet in pairs for weekly tutorials with the instructor.

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. For a sample lecture on the History of English, click here (requires Real Player).

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

In addition to the courses listed above, scholars in EFS 688V may take elective courses. These are offered as sections of EFS 689, Special Topics in English. Each requires one additional unit of tuition: see the application for information on the cost.

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: A TOEFL score of 600 or above is strongly recommended.

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.

Application Process

Last updated December 20, 2007