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Special Topics classes are specialized English classes that focus on specific vocabulary and skills. Most Special Topics classes focus on speaking, vocabulary building, and discussion, but there are also some options that focus on reading, writing, and test preparation.
With Special Topics classes, you take a variety of different classes each session to explore and master different topics and skills in English.
A different selection of Special Topics classes is available every session. The Special Topics classes available to you every session depend on your level and your English goals.
Special Topics classes are a great way to enhance your English in combination with our 2-period general English class, Intensive Speaking & Listening.
Discussing the News
Level: Low Intermediate – Advanced
Discuss and debate current issues from contemporary news sources. Upgrade your vocabulary, improve group discussion and research skills, and learn about the events and people that influence our world.
Presentation Skills
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Prepare to present your ideas confidently in English! Develop presentation strategies and vocabulary, and give dynamic presentations in a variety of formats.
English Conversation
Level: All
General English discussion class focusing on everyday topics. Improve oral communication skills and increase your confidence in expressing feelings, ideas and opinions.
Idioms
Level: All
Vocabulary class focused on useful phrases, slang, and idioms for everyday communication.
Pronunciation
Level: All
Speak and understand English more clearly: improve fluency and expression by learning how native speakers connect, reduce, and nuance their speech.
Grammar
Level: All
Learn new grammar structures and improve your speaking and writing accuracy. Use the grammar you learn in interactive discussions on many topics.
Academic Listening and Discussion
Level: Advanced
Focus your listening practice by learning the structures and signaling vocabulary of an academic lecture. Students will practice active listening strategies for longer texts and develop their note-taking and discussion skills. Recommended for students wishing to attend university classes in the USA or improve their listening skills for professional purposes.
Civics
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Develop your knowledge of U.S. history and culture by learning about the systems and structures of the United States government. This all-skills class includes discussion, reading, listening, and vocabulary expansion activities.
Seattle on Film
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Increase your vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills as you watch movies and TV shows set in Seattle. Participate in class discussions focused on theme, genre, and critiques.
Business English
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Build knowledge, confidence, and cultural competence in a wide range of professional situations.
Professional English: Job Interview Skills
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Engage in intensive vocabulary and speaking practice as you prepare to demonstrate your skills confidently in an English-language job interview.
Professional English: Resume and Cover Letter Skills
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Learn the content and format of a competitive resume in English. Your resume will be professional, grammatically correct, and ready to use.
Professional English: Job Preparation
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
This class combines resume and cover letter writing with job interview skills. Improve your confidence and prepare for every stage of your job search.
Customer Service English
Level: High Intermediate – Advanced
Explore connections between customer service and culture as you learn what defines American customer service. Expand your vocabulary and practice polite/formal grammatical structures that will enable you to provide excellent customer service in English.
Beginning Reading and Writing
Level: Beginner – Low Intermediate
Learn the basics of English sentence structure as you improve your overall grammar and develop your vocabulary.
Intermediate Reading and Writing – Academic or Creative Option
Level: Low Intermediate – High Intermediate
Improve your understanding of English grammar, learn new vocabulary, and improve your ability to express yourself in writing. The Academic Option will teach you the basics of English essay structure, and the Creative Option will help you find your “writer’s voice” as you experiment with fiction, poetry, and script writing formats.
IELTS Preparation
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Increase your IELTS* scores in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking by learning specific tips, skills, and test-taking strategies that will improve your writing, vocabulary, and overall ability to structure and express your ideas in English.
TOEFL Writing and Speaking
Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Increase your TOEFL scores in Writing and Speaking by learning specific strategies and skills that will improve your writing, vocabulary, and overall ability to structure and express your ideas in English.
