Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

American Language Institute

Director: James Valentine, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors (Teaching): Lucienne Aarsen, M.A.; Reka Clausen, M.A.; Zsuzsu Londe, Ph.D.; James Polk, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturers: B. Victoria Byczkiewicz Cutler, M.A.; Kimberley Briesch-Sumner, M.A.; Nina Kang, M.A., MLS; Juli Ann Kirkpatrick, M.A.; Mary Ann Murphy, M.A.; James Valentine, Ph.D.

Master Lecturers: Barry Griner, M.A.; Eric H. Roth, M.A.; Anastassia Tzoytzoyrakos, M.A.

Lecturers: Tracy Levin, Ph.D.; Olivia Martinez, M.A.

Purpose of the Program

The American Language Institute provides instruction in English as a Second Language for international students who need to improve their English language skills in order to participate successfully in their degree programs. Before beginning studies with ALI, all students must be admitted to the university in a degree program. The institute also provides student advisement.

Placement in the Program

Most international students entering USC must take the International Student English Examination (ISE). The examination is offered immediately prior to the beginning of classes each semester. The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the level of a student’s proficiency in English and to determine how well prepared the student is to undertake his or her degree studies in English. On the basis of the scores achieved, students are placed at the appropriate levels of instruction or are exempted from having to receive English language instruction.

Elective Credit

Undergraduates may earn up to 12 units of credit toward their degree for ALI courses numbered 100 or above. Some departmental restrictions may apply.

Limitation on Enrollment

International students placed into ALI classes must commence their ALI course work in their first semester at USC, and must register in ALI courses each fall and spring semester until their ALI requirements are satisfied. Students must successfully complete their ALI required courses within four semesters in order to remain academically eligible to pursue a degree program. Students who receive a final grade of “No Credit” more than once in any of their ALI required classes will not be allowed to continue to complete their ALI requirement.

Students not meeting the ALI requirement will not be allowed to continue at USC. The Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures will consider appeals if submitted within 10 working days of being dropped from ALI. Contact the Academic Review Department (Hubbard Hall 113) for details.

Courses of Instruction

American Language Institute (ALI)

The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.

ALI 090x Beginning English as a Second Language for International Students (12) Required for international students assessed to have no proficiency in English by the International Student English Examination (ISE). Not available for degree credit. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 103x Elective Courses in English as a Second Language for International Students (2–8, FaSpSm) Specialized tutorial classes in listening, speaking, reading, or writing. A maximum of 4 units may be counted toward a degree. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 134 Intermediate Oral Skills (1, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 135 Intermediate Writing Skills (1, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 144 High Intermediate Oral Skills (1, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the high intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 145 High Intermediate Writing Skills (1, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the high intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 200 Elementary English as a Second Language for International Students (12, FaSpSm) Required for international students assessed to be at the beginning level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or by the completion of a lower level ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 211 Low Intermediate ESL (II) for International Students (6) Required for international students assessed to have intermediate level writing skills, but pre-intermediate level oral skills or by completion of a lower level ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 224 Low Intermediate Oral Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the low intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 210.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 225 Low Intermediate Writing Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the low intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 210.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 234 Intermediate Oral Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 220.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 235 Intermediate Writing Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 220.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 242 High Intermediate Pronunciation (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose pronunciation skills are assessed at the high intermediate level by the Inter­national Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 244 High Intermediate Oral Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the high intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 230 and ALI 240.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 245 High Intermediate Writing Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the high intermediate level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 231 and ALI 240.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 246 Intermediate Oral Communication for ITAs (3, FaSpSm) Required for international teaching assistants (ITAs) whose oral skills are assessed to be at the intermediate level by the ITA exam or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 252 Advanced Pronunciation (3, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose pronunciation skills are assessed at the advanced level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 254 Advanced Oral Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose oral skills are assessed to be at the advanced level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 259.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 255 Advanced Writing Skills (2, FaSpSm) Required for international students whose writing skills are assessed to be at the advanced level by the International Student English Examination (ISE) or previous ALI course. (Duplicates credit in former ALI 258.) Graded CR/NC.

ALI 256 High Intermediate Oral Communication for ITAs (3, FaSpSm) Required for international teaching assistants (ITAs) whose oral skills are assessed to be at the high intermediate level by the ITA exam or previous ALI course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 270 Advanced Oral Communication for ITAs (3, FaSpSm) Classroom interaction skills for international teaching assistants, with a focus on the language needed to lead discussions and make presentations. Open to international teaching assistants only. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 271 Language Tutorial for International Teaching Assistants (2, FaSpSm) Individualized tutorial on the language and oral skills used by international teaching assistants in the performance of his or her duties. Based on observation and feedback. Open to international teaching assistants only.

ALI 274 Advanced Academic and Professional Spoken English (2, FaSpSm) Required for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) who, after taking the ITA Oral Interview Exam, are determined to need the particular skills taught in this course. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 275 Writing for Publication and Dissertations (2, FaSpSm) Elective course for international graduate students focusing on conventions of advanced academic writing and problems in syntax, vocabulary, and register for writing and/or publishing dissertations. Graded CR/NC.

ALI 280 English Skills and Strategies for the Job Search (2, max 4) Elective course for undergraduate and graduate international students. Introduces students to job search skills and strategies while focusing on improving their English. Graded CR/NC.

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