English Language Learning curriculum

An English learner curriculum for pronunciation, conversation, grammar, academic vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and classroom participation.

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ESL / ELL / academic English bridge

English Language Learning curriculum

An English learner curriculum for pronunciation, conversation, grammar, academic vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, and classroom participation.

Pacing

8 units, 20-32 weeks self-paced

Units

8 unit sequence

Practice

32 checked answers

Support

Self-paced or tutor-guided

Outcomes

Use spoken and written English for school, work, and everyday communication.
Build grammar and vocabulary through real tasks instead of isolated drills only.
Prepare for academic reading, writing, discussion, and presentations.

Unit sequence

Built for independent progress first, then tutor support where the student gets stuck.

01
Pronunciation, listening, and repair strategies
- Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
- Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.
Practice: Record a short introduction and mark one pronunciation target to improve.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Record a short introduction and mark one pronunciation target to improve.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Pronunciation, listening, and repair strategies, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Pronunciation, listening, and repair strategies"?
Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.Sustain short exchanges with follow-up questions.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Pronunciation, listening, and repair strategies" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Record a short introduction and mark one pronunciation target to improve.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
02
Everyday conversation
- Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.
- Sustain short exchanges with follow-up questions.
Practice: Role-play a practical conversation and write the phrases that unlocked it.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Role-play a practical conversation and write the phrases that unlocked it.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Sustain short exchanges with follow-up questions.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Everyday conversation, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Everyday conversation"?
Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Sustain short exchanges with follow-up questions.Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Everyday conversation" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Role-play a practical conversation and write the phrases that unlocked it.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
03
Core grammar in context
- Use verb tense, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, and sentence patterns.
- Correct errors based on meaning and pattern.
Practice: Revise a paragraph and label the grammar rule behind each correction.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use verb tense, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, and sentence patterns.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Revise a paragraph and label the grammar rule behind each correction.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Correct errors based on meaning and pattern.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Core grammar in context, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Core grammar in context"?
Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Use verb tense, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, and sentence patterns.Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Core grammar in context" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Revise a paragraph and label the grammar rule behind each correction.
04
Academic vocabulary and word parts
- Use prefixes, roots, suffixes, collocations, and register.
- Keep a reusable vocabulary system with examples.
Practice: Build a vocabulary card set with definition, sentence, form, and collocations.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use prefixes, roots, suffixes, collocations, and register.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Build a vocabulary card set with definition, sentence, form, and collocations.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Keep a reusable vocabulary system with examples.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Academic vocabulary and word parts, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Academic vocabulary and word parts"?
Keep a reusable vocabulary system with examples.Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Academic vocabulary and word parts" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Build a vocabulary card set with definition, sentence, form, and collocations.
05
Reading strategies
- Skim, scan, infer meaning, and identify main ideas.
- Annotate nonfiction and textbook passages.
Practice: Read a short article and produce a summary plus five evidence notes.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Skim, scan, infer meaning, and identify main ideas.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Read a short article and produce a summary plus five evidence notes.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Annotate nonfiction and textbook passages.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Reading strategies, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Reading strategies"?
Skim, scan, infer meaning, and identify main ideas.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Reading strategies" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Read a short article and produce a summary plus five evidence notes.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
06
Writing paragraphs and essays
- Use topic sentences, transitions, evidence, and revision.
- Write for clear audience and purpose.
Practice: Draft and revise one academic paragraph with a tutor-ready question.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use topic sentences, transitions, evidence, and revision.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Draft and revise one academic paragraph with a tutor-ready question.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Write for clear audience and purpose.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Writing paragraphs and essays, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Writing paragraphs and essays"?
Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Write for clear audience and purpose.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Writing paragraphs and essays" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Draft and revise one academic paragraph with a tutor-ready question.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
07
Listening to lectures and taking notes
- Identify signposting language and lecture structure.
- Use abbreviations, symbols, and review cycles.
Practice: Watch or listen to a short lesson and create Cornell-style notes.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Identify signposting language and lecture structure.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Watch or listen to a short lesson and create Cornell-style notes.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Use abbreviations, symbols, and review cycles.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Listening to lectures and taking notes, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Listening to lectures and taking notes"?
Identify signposting language and lecture structure.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Listening to lectures and taking notes" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Watch or listen to a short lesson and create Cornell-style notes.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
08
Presentation and participation capstone
- Present ideas clearly and answer questions.
- Participate in group discussion with prepared language.
Practice: Deliver a three-minute presentation and write a reflection on clarity, vocabulary, and confidence.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Purdue Online Writing Lab and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Present ideas clearly and answer questions.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Deliver a three-minute presentation and write a reflection on clarity, vocabulary, and confidence.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Participate in group discussion with prepared language.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Argument vocabulary
In Presentation and participation capstone, a defensible sentence that states the main point is a what?
Evidence use
Which evidence move is strongest?
quote or paraphrase, then explain how it supports the claimdrop in a quote with no explanationuse only personal certaintyignore the prompt
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the English Language Learning unit "Presentation and participation capstone"?
Use greetings, questions, requests, opinions, and polite disagreement.Participate in group discussion with prepared language.Ask for clarification and confirm meaning.Use stress, rhythm, intonation, and common sound contrasts.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Presentation and participation capstone" before asking a tutor for help?
Deliver a three-minute presentation and write a reflection on clarity, vocabulary, and confidence.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.