Spoken English Language Programs (SELP)

 

Supported by the School of Graduate Studies, Spoken English Language Programs (SELP) offers free English language and US academic and social culture training programs for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ (ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½) graduate, professional, undergraduate, and exchange students; postdocs; faculty; staff; and spouses/partners of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ personnel and students.  

Each fall, spring, and summer semester, SELP provides non-credit courses, seminars, and workshops targeting international students, visitors, and employees who use English as an additional language. The programming is designed to increase the comprehension of US academic and social cultures and inform usage of the English language in all settings.

 

SELP Tutoring Consultations

Graduate students, professional students, undergraduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and spouses/partners of ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ personnel who would like to increase their English language skills in areas like pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, or listening; practice for presentations, interviews, or other important speaking events; or learn more about Cleveland, Ohio, and the United States can sign up for SELP tutoring consultations with trained ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ undergraduates. Graduate, professional, and undergraduate students can book appointments at tutortrac.case.edu. To set up a one-on-one tutoring meeting for either 30 or 60 minutes, log on to TutorTrac using your ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ id (ex. abc123) and password. Click on "Go to… Make Appointment" and choose "Spoken English Tutoring." All others can email selp@case.edu to request a consultation. All meetings are free.

 

UNIV 402C - Presentation Skills

UNIV 402C, Presentation Skills, is a free, non-credit class taught by specialists in English as an additional/second/foreign language. The course focuses on increasing spoken English language skills and US academic and social cultural comprehension for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ international graduate and professional students, postdocs, and employees. The course runs each semester for 2.5 hours per week over thirteen weeks in the fall and spring semesters, and seven weeks during the summer semester. Topics covered in the class include but are not limited to presentation and interviewing skills, pronunciation and fluency practice, and conversations in academic, professional, and social settings. Guest speakers from around campus and the community increase class enrollees’ knowledge of support services at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and in the greater Cleveland area. Enrollment is limited so that each enrolled student has ample opportunity to practice and receive feedback. To enroll or receive further information at selp@case.edu.

 

SELP Seminars

SELP seminars are typically held for a 50-minute period once a week over four consecutive weeks. Each seminar focuses on a specific element of advanced English language usage or US academic and social cultural norms. Past seminar topics include Advanced Fluency, Culture and Communication, and Common Idioms and Expressions. Enrollment is limited so that each enrolled student has ample opportunities to practice new concepts and receive feedback. Enrollment is managed through ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Campus Groups. SELP seminars are open to all ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ graduate students, postdocs, professional students, employees, undergraduates, and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ personnel spouses and partners who are users of English as an additional language. For further information, please contact Eric Moore, Director of Spoken English Language Programs, at selp@case.edu.

 

SELP Workshops

SELP workshops are typically held for a single 50-minute period. Each workshop focuses on a specific element of advanced English language usage, US academic or social cultural norms, holidays, or major events. Past workshop topics have included the Super Bowl, opinions, Halloween, summer travel around the Cleveland area, difficult advanced pronunciation and stress practice, and resume and CV writing. Enrollment is limited so that each enrolled student has ample opportunities to practice concepts and receive feedback. Enrollment is managed through ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Campus Groups. SELP seminars are open to all ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ graduate students, postdocs, professional students, employees, undergraduates, and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ personnel spouses and partners who are users of English as an additional language.

 

SELP Open Conversation Hours

SELP offers open drop-in conversation hours most weeks during the academic year and summer. The open conversation hours are designed for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ graduate students, postdocs, professional students, employees, undergraduates, and ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ personnel spouses and partners who are users of English as an additional language. Each conversation hour will focus on a conversational topic of interest to those in the higher education community. Enrollment through ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s Campus Groups is encouraged, but drop-in visits are welcome as well.

 

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Spoken English Test (CSET)

The CSET is a test required for all prospective international graduate teaching assistants at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ before they begin their first teaching assignment. According to ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ and State of Ohio regulations, international graduate students invited by their departments to teach must take and pass the SET. Contact Eric Moore at selp@case.edu for more information.

 

Tutoring: One-on-One Tutoring in Spoken English Skills – You can work with a trained tutor to enhance your pronunciation and fluency. Tutors can also work with you on pronunciation, idioms, and conversation skills. You can also practice presentations and receive feedback. Graduate Students and undergraduates can find a tutor and make an appointment at:

Postdocs, other ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ employees, and student/postdoc spouses and partners can also use the service, but will need to contact SELP Director Eric Moore directly at selp@case.edu.  

Seminar for Better Pronunciation: You may have learned basic pronunciation long ago. This short course is a good review of vowel pronunciation along with tips and tricks for improving your basic syllable and word pronunciation. Each vowel in English has many options for how to pronounce it correctly. Learn these tips along with how to pronounce some of the most commonly mispronounced words in American English.

Contact selp@case.edu for the current schedule.

Tutoring: You can practice your presentation with one of our trained tutors and get feedback for improvements. 

Postdocs, other ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ employees, and student/postdoc spouses and partners can also use the service, but will need to contact SELP Director Eric Moore directly at selp@case.edu.

Seminar in Accuracy for Presentation Skills: This short courses provides you with tips and tricks for professional presentations. Learn how to use gestures and eye contact to connect with your audience. Learn more about how to organize your content and learn advanced vocabulary for presentations and for presenting charts and graphs in English.

Contact selp@case.edu for the current schedule.

UNIV 402C Class: This semester-long course provides enrollees with practice in presentations, English language practice, and information on US academic, professional, and social cultures.

Seminar in Advanced Fluency: There are some tricks to speaking English smoothly. Learn about Reductions, Linking, Trimming and other skills for speaking fluently.
Contact selp@case.edu for the current schedule.

Tutoring: Find a tutor at  or contact Eric Moore at selp@case.edu

Seminar in Culture and Communication: In this short course, we discuss elements of culture from many countries. Participants share their culture and learn how cultures are similar or different to the culture here at Case, Cleveland, and the US. Learn the vocabulary and phrases you need to engage on campus and in the US. This is a great seminar to meet others and practice conversation. 
 
Contact selp@case.edu for the current schedule.

FREE Course - UNIV401: Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching

This course will help you to better understand teaching and learning at the university level and provide you with the opportunity to create a course, lesson, and to engage in teaching.

This is a FREE course which is open to graduate students, post-docs, and others in the campus community. You can register in SIS. The course is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Writing Resource Center (WRC): You can make an appointment to meet with a Writing Consultant who will assist you in reviewing your writing here:

Course: ENGL 415: Academic Research and Writing: This course will help you to improve and enhance your skills in graduate level professional and academic writing. For more information, email the Department of English: english@case.edu

You can register in SIS. You must pay tuition for this credited course.