Applied Language Institute (ALI)

Courses

ALI 100 Special Topics in English as a Second Language Credits: 1-6

A course designed to address the specific needs of an individual student or group of students studying English as a Second Language. In addition to targeting English skills, the course may address topics or skills which are not covered in the standard Academic English curriculum of the Applied Language Institute. This course will accommodate individual students or groups of students studying at the Institute for periods of time other than the standard semester length. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

ALI 101 Basic Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of survival level sentence structures and words. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 102 Basic Reading and Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of fundamental fluency in reading to meet the basic needs of everyday life and classroom interactions. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 103 Basic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of speaking and listening for survival-level functions in English. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 111 Academic Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers I Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of basic writing skills including handwriting, spelling, capitalization and punctuation. Frequent short exercises emphasize basic sentence structure, biographical description, and completion of standard forms. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 112 Academic Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers I Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of reading with basic English vocabulary in context. Exercises focus on reading comprehension, identifying the topics of short readings, and the introduction of basic dictionary skills. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 113 Academic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers I Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of speaking and listening for basic social functions in English. Exercises include the practice of basic descriptions and the development of oral skills for beginning ESL students. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 121 Academic Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers II Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of developing paragraphs of different organizational structures. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 122 Academic Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers II Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of reading narrative and expository texts and standard forms. Exercises focus on the development of vocabulary and introduction of reading techniques such as identification of topics and main ideas, skimming, scanning, prediction, and inference. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 123 Academic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers II Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of speech in environments such as the classroom, work, and simple social occasions. Exercises focus on student's ability to distinguish sounds and to produce them correctly in the context of a sentence and to listen for specific information. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 131 Academic Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers III Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of writing multi-paragraph academic essays in a variety of rhetorical styles as well as the study and practical application of complex sentence structures. The course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 132 Academic Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers III Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of longer reading passages of various rhetorical styles. Exercises focus on improvement of reading speed and the development of vocabulary and comprehension through complex inferences. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 133 Academic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers III Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of listening for and producing speech in the past, present, and future tenses. Exercises introduce note-taking techniques and focus on the ability to hear and express abstract ideas. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 141 Academic Writing & Grammar For Non-Native Speakers IV Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of grammar structures and rhetorical principles in Standard English. Frequent exercises emphasize mastery of all verb tenses and the relationship between ideas and the construction of sentences in academic discourse. Writing exercises emphasize critical thinking and research skills as well as fluency and accuracy in academic writing. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 142 Academic Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers IV Credits: 1-4

This course focuses on preparing students to deal effectively with sophisticated academic reading materials by guiding them in the development of a conscious and reflective approach toward reading. It emphasizes advanced reading skills of interpretation, inference, critical analysis, evaluation and application. There will be frequent exercises addressing the acquisition and practice of study skills and collaborative academic work. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 143 Academic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers IV Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of Standard English, particularly in the college classroom. Exercises include training in academic lecture comprehension and note-taking as well as formal (classroom presentation) and informal (conversation) English speaking. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 151 English Writing for Graduate Level Study Credits: 1-4

This course is designed for international students who intend to enroll in graduate level courses. Courses at this level should match the rigor and academic expectations of most graduate courses. The difference between graduate level writing at the ALI and other graduate courses at UMKC is that this level raises students’ awareness of the academic language and culture that are often embedded in graduate courses. The difference between graduate level writing and other ALI courses is that there is less emphasis on English language skill building. Students are expected to identify their linguistically weak areas and improve them autonomously. This course does not count for credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 153 English Speaking for Graduate Level Study Credits: 1-4

This course is designed for international students who intend to enroll in graduate level courses. Courses at this level should match the rigor and academic expectations of most graduate courses. The difference between graduate level speaking at the ALI and other graduate courses at UMKC is that this level raises students’ awareness of the academic language and culture that are often embedded in graduate courses. The difference between graduate level speaking and other ALI courses is that there is less emphasis on English language skill building. Students are expected to identify their linguistically weak areas and improve them autonomously. This course does not count for credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 161 Academic Writing Support for International Students Credits: 2

Course discussion and exercises emphasize fluency and accuracy in written academic discourse in Standard English as well as critical thinking and research skills. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: ENGLISH 110.

ALI 162 Academic Reading Support for International Students Credits: 2

This course focuses on preparing students to deal effectively with academic reading materials by guiding them in the development of a conscious and reflective approach toward reading. It emphasizes advanced reading skills of interpretation, inference, critical analysis, evaluation, and application. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: COMM-ST 209.

ALI 163 Oral Communication Skills for International Students Credits: 2

The study and practice of oral communicative competency in Standard English, particularly in the college classroom. Exercises include training in formal classroom presentation and informal English speaking. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: COMM-ST 110.