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English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 24 hours
  • Course by Rice University
  • Offered by

About

The English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate non-credit course is for students with a (minimum) high-intermediate level of English. This certificate course is designed to help domestic and 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. 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.

Modules

Introduction

    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Meet Your Classmates

Making Predictions

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Making Predictions

1 Videos

  • Making Predictions Before You Listen

1 Readings

  • Prepare for Predicting and Review the Lesson

Taking Notes

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Use Your Notes to Answer These Questions

2 Videos

  • Note-Taking Tutorial
  • Listening Practice #1: Listen and Take Notes

1 Readings

  • Extend Your Knowledge and Review the Lesson

Synthesizing Information

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Use Your T-Chart to Answer These Questions

2 Videos

  • Synthesize Information from Two Lectures
  • Listening Practice #2: Listen, Take Notes & Synthesize

2 Readings

  • Review the Lesson
  • Prepare for Listening Practice #2

Grammar For Speaking

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice with Connectors

1 Readings

  • Connecting Ideas

Vocabulary Practice and Listening Resources

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice the Vocabulary

2 Readings

  • Glossary
  • Suggested Listening Practice

Graded Assignments

    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Show Your Understanding

1 Peer Review

  • Defend an Opinion

Thesis Statements

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Thesis Statements Quiz

1 Videos

  • What Does a Thesis Statement Look Like?

1 Readings

  • Extend Your Knowledge and Review the Lesson

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Paragraph Structure Quiz

1 Videos

  • Paragraph Structure

1 Readings

  • Review the Lesson

Identifying and Preventing Plagiarism

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Identifying and Preventing Plagiarism Quiz

1 Videos

  • Plagiarism

1 Readings

  • Review the Lesson

Correctly Using Citations

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Using Citations Quiz

1 Videos

  • Using Citations

1 Readings

  • Extend Your Knowledge and Review the Lesson

Grammar for Writing

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice with Past, Past Perfect and Present Perfect Verb Tenses

1 Readings

  • Past Tense Comparison

Vocabulary Practice and Writing Resources

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice the Vocabulary

2 Readings

  • Reading Resources
  • Glossary

Graded Assignments

    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Show Your Understanding

1 Peer Review

  • Make Connections in an Essay

Identifying Purpose and Organization of a Text

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Purpose and Organization

1 Videos

  • Purposeful Previewing

1 Readings

  • Review the Lesson and Extend Your Knowledge

The SQ4R Method

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Applying the SQ4R Method

1 Videos

  • Using the SQ4R Method to Preview or Review a Text

1 Readings

  • Review the Lesson

Note Taking Methods

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice Note-Taking

1 Videos

  • The Cornell Method

1 Readings

  • Review the Lesson and Extend Your Knowledge

Increasing Reading Speed

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
Show info about module content

2 Assignment

  • Speed Reading Practice #1
  • Speed Reading Practice #2

1 Videos

  • Becoming a Faster and More Fluent Reader

2 Readings

  • Review the Lesson
  • Suggested Speed Reading Practice

Grammar for Note-Taking

    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice Paraphrasing

1 Readings

  • Paraphrasing

Vocabulary Practice and Reading Resources

    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Practice the Vocabulary

2 Readings

  • Glossary
  • Suggested Academic Reading Practice

Graded Assignments

    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Show Your Understanding

1 Peer Review

  • Taking Notes about a Text

Step 1: Reading and Writing

    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Write About It

Step 2: Listening and Speaking

    • 1 PeerReview
Show info about module content

1 Peer Review

  • Speak About It

Learn More

    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Readings

  • What's Next?

Auto Summary

The "English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate" course is an ideal non-credit program for students at a high-intermediate level of English proficiency looking to enhance their academic skills for success in undergraduate studies at American universities. Tailored for both domestic and international students nearing the completion of their high school diploma, this course aims to bridge the gap to smooth out their transition to a bachelor's degree in the United States. Spanning 4 weeks with an expected commitment of 5-7 hours per week, this course is comprehensive yet manageable. It comprises four engaging modules: Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking; Writer’s Workshop; Reading and Note-taking; and a Capstone Project. The curriculum is designed to blend video lessons with practical English and academic skill exercises, interactive discussion boards, and graded activities to ensure a well-rounded learning experience. Offered by Coursera, this asynchronous course provides the flexibility to complete lessons and assignments at any time, fitting seamlessly into varied schedules. Subscription options include Starter and Professional plans, catering to different needs and levels of commitment. This foundational course is perfect for aspiring undergraduate students aiming to strengthen their English proficiency and academic readiness for their future studies in the U.S.

Alice Llanos
Instructors

Alice Llanos

Rachel Kraut, Ph.D.
Instructors

Rachel Kraut, Ph.D.