Teaching Philosophy and Methods
The ALP's philosophy is summed up by the phrase "Team, Theme, and Academe":
- Team: in the Intensive Program, students have teachers who work in teams of three to provide students with a stimulating variety of activities and personal teaching styles. Each class period is taught by one member of the team.
Each student has a full opportunity to participate in classwork and to receive individual attention. The intensive program averages 18 students per class, with fewer students in lower-level classes.
- Theme: classes are organized around weekly themes in American history and culture.
Language is presented in contexts which focus on American society and customs.
Special English elective courses in topics such as current events, American business, or the American short story are offered to students on levels 5 to 8 in the fall and spring intensive program.
- Academe: ALP faculty believe strongly in preparing students for the accurate and fluent use of English in academic and professional settings.
Class Size
The intensive programs average 18 students per class, with fewer students in lower-level classes. This class size gives each student a full opportunity to participate in class and receive individual attention.
The Language in Context
ALP faculty believe strongly in preparing students for the accurate and fluent use of English in academic and professional settings.
Instruction at the ALP involves intensive class participation and active use of the spoken and written language. Language is presented in contexts that, depending on the student’s command of English, may simulate daily-life situations, focus on American society and customs, or explore issues of worldwide concern. Course work at all levels is designed to develop grammatical accuracy, fluency and pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing ability.
Find out about the faculty who teach English language courses.
