Description:

Academic Connections is a four-level integrated skills course designed for students preparing for academic study as well as for standardized tests such as the TOEFL®test. A systematic, step-by-step approach helps students develop and sharpen their language, academic, and test-taking abilities.

Academic Connections was developed with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is based on extensive research into the actual language demands of higher education.

Academic Connections is:

• Integrated. Academic Connections integrates all four language skills and teaches students how to integrate skills and content in real-world academic contexts.
• Academic. Explicit, step-by-step academic skill development leads to student mastery. With careful instruction and engaging practice tasks, students learn how to organize information, make connections, and think critically.
• Authentic. High-interest and intellectually stimulating authentic material familiarizes students with academic content. Authentic tasks include listening to lectures, note-taking, participating in debates, preparing oral and written reports, and writing essays.
• Assessment-Based. Academic Connections provides a variety of assessments and practice opportunities based upon individual needs.