Each semester the ALI offers a number of 2-unit elective classes. In most cases, these classes meet two times a week for an hour and a half each day. The electives are open to any student in the university whose native language is not English. Some of the students who enroll in the electives are ex-ALI students who feel that they could benefit from instruction in a particular skill, e.g. pronunciation, even though they are no longer required to take ESL classes. Still others are international students who have never had to take an ALI class, but who want to improve their speaking or writing skills at an advanced level.

Each course is designed to meet the needs of a student who wants to work on a particular skill. Students are usually counselled by the ALI student advisor as to which course might be most appropriate for them. The elective classes are graded credit/no credit. Students usually receive credit on the basis of attendance and participation. The following are descriptions of current ALI electives: 
 

ALI 103 Pronunciation
This popular class will help you inprove your pronunciaiton. You will be given extensive individualized feedback and the tools needed to assess and improve your pronunciation. You will become familiar with the speech sounds of American English, including consonants and vowels, word stress patterns, sentence rhythm, and American intonation patterns. 

ALI 103 Grammar
This class is for students who have studied English grammar in the past but still find it difficult to apply what they have learned. You will review grammatical forms, learn how to accurately incorporate a variety of grammatical structures into your speaking and writing, and develop the skill of self-editing your written work.There is a heavy emphasis on writing.  

ALI 103 Dissertation Writing (Advance Writing for International Graduate Students)
This elective course is for international students who are doing advanced writing, including theses and dissertations, or papers for publication in English. The course will cover conventions of advanced academic writing, and will address problems in syntax, vocabulary, and register more common to written than to spoken English. Students will work within the guidelines of the style manuals of their respective fields, on their own projects, and instruction will be individualized. International faculty members who are writing for publication are also welcome to register for the class.

ALI 103 Advanced Academic and Professional Spoken English
This course is for international students who need to improve their advanced academic English for teaching and presenting. The development of both accuracy and fluency in professional spoken English will be emphasized. The class will include instruction in vocabulary and lexical phrases common in academic spoken English and university discourse. Individualized instruction in stress, intonation, and pronunciation of major vocabulary specific to each student's field will be provided. International faculty members who wish to polish their academic English and presentation skills are welcome to register for the class.

ALI 258 Writing Workshop
Here's a good opportunity to learn how to write clear and effective English for college-level purposes. This class is for high-intermediate level students. In the class you will receive extensive practice and feedback in generating ideas, drafting, revising, and editing. The skills you will learn will help you to complete writing assignments in your other courses.

ALI 259 Oral Skills
Would you like more practice speaking? This class is for high-intermediate and advanced level students who want to communicate more fluently, effectively, and confidently in spoken English. This class will give you opportunities to work on the oral skills needed for everyday conversations as well as class discussions and short oral presentations.

If you need further information about any of these courses, contact the ALI Student Advisor at (213) 740-0090, or visit the ALI office at HSS 100.