Services

Individual Consultations:

The ESOL Center assists students who speak English as a foreign or second language in improving their language proficiency. In doing so, students desiring to improve their English language skills can arrange a consultation with the center's director. Typical areas in which students may request assistance include:

• English pronunciation
• American classroom dynamics
• Academic Writing
 

Oral Communication Lab:

Upcoming workshops in our Programs section.

1. Articulation Sessions Under the supervision of licensed speech professionals, graduate student-interns work with students in 30-40 minute sessions. Individualized programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. These sessions afford the opportunity for intensive language practice and are offered on an individual basis or in small groups. Topics include: American English articulation and intonation New Vocabulary Use of English in every day and social situations

Weekly sessions are given by speech professionals and ESOL instructors. All ESOL students are invited to attend. Weekly topics will cover American English idioms, American sports idioms, American English business language vocabulary, everyday English, situational dialogues, in-class presentations on topics of interest to the audience, and any other issues requested by the students.

These workshops are weekly group articulation training sessions for ESOL students. They are taught by a Geneseo faculty member who is also a licensed speech therapist and is well-trained to help non-native speakers of English to modify (or improve) their pronunciation skills. Participants practice their sound production, appropriate intonation patterns and colloquial skills while working together and in small groups with the assistance of the instructor and two graduate students-interns (future speech therapists). These sessions are highly recommended for ESOL students who would like to improve his or her pronunciation skills and become more comfortable speaking in class, making class presentations, and in social situations outside of the classroom.

4. "Speech Buddies" Program   Goal: To provide ESOL students with individual support from native speaking peers to help them improve their English language skills and adapt to the new learning and social environment in Geneseo. How it works: Each participating ESOL student is paired with his or her "speech buddy": a speech therapy undergraduate student who has excelled in the Articulation and Phonology Intervention class (CDSC 242) taught by the program supervisor and coordinator.
The ESOL student and his or her "speech buddy" meet once a week in an informal setting to talk, enjoy each other's company, and share their experiences. The ESOL student is encouraged to ask for advice on anything in his or her new college life and for help with English both in reading, oral comprehensions, and speaking. The "speech buddies" have been trained and are able to assist their ESOL "buddies" in improving their English pronunciation, learning new vocabulary, grammar skills, and anything else that the ESOL student might need help with.

Language Lab:

The Language Lab of the ESOL center is equipped with a variety of computer-based programs and other kinds of media that assist in perfecting English skills.
 

Individual Tutoring: One-on-one tutoring is available for students who want further clarification on a particular skill area in writing. Interns are trained to provide guidance for second language writing and speaking. In this way, students can be better prepared for the writing assignments they must produce and for the oral presentations they must give.

Group Tutoring:

Small group tutoring on a variety of English language topics is available for students who wish further clarification in a particular skill area. Tutors can help build the oral and written skills needed to be successful in the rigorous academic environment.