One of the best ways for Hood College’s international students to perfect their English, besides conversing with their friends and colleagues, is to enroll in EAP 500; Advanced English for Academic Purposes. Professor Donald Wright, who is teaching the course during the fall, 2017 semester, says: “It is a course of English as a second language, in which students learn reading, writing and oral language skills; many international students tend to be more advanced at listening and speaking so the course focuses more on grammar and proper writing for future professional success.” Wright emphasizes that the course is designed so students can discuss different areas of interest that may be useful for them in various fields. The class is divided into several topics, including creating and writing a CV and cover letter, practicing reported speech in an essay about a faculty member, discussing controversial topics and using persuasive speech.
While the class is designed solely for international students, not all are required to take it. It is offered for those who want to strengthen their language skills, and students in a variety of academic programs are mixed together. Dr. Wright believes this class is useful for most international students as the writing assignments are meaningful since they deal with current events and are based in American culture.Like many other classes at Hood, this class reaches beyond the walls of the classroom, as Dr. Wright and the class recently visited the Museum of Civil War Medicine in downtown Frederick. “To coordinate with the field trip we are talking about medical innovations.” The students will then write a proposal outlining the problems of the opioid addiction in the US today and present hypothetical solutions, enabling them to connect theoretical knowledge with their field experience.”
