English Skills - College Level Courses
Overview
All college graduates must be effective communicators, possessing excellent reading, writing, speaking, and related skills, and be able to apply those skills to a variety of contexts, formats, and purposes. Good communication skills not only assist students during their time at the college, but also help them to learn throughout life. Communicating Across Contexts (COM101/COM111) satisfies the English skills requirement. Other courses in this group are designed to develop and enhance communication skills for the college environment and for professional applications.
For personal or professional development, please refer to Professional Communications.
Entry Requirements
COM101/COM111 is the required prerequisite for most English skills and Literature courses and a required course for all diplomas offered by the college. English Assessment is required prior to registering in COM101/COM111.
Due to COVID-19, all Part-time Studies courses are being offered online until further notice, in one of the following two formats: online virtual classroom and online self-directed. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Courses
Placement via English Assessment
EAC139 is a developmental course in English that focuses on grammar, vocabulary, critical reading and writing. In this course, students apply principles of vocabulary and grammar to reading and writing assignments at the paragraph level.
Placement via English Assessment, or successful completion of ESL934.
COM101 replaces EAC 150.
Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Placement via English Assessment
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
This course introduces the study of technical writing through a series of writing assignments, placing emphasis on brevity, clarity, conciseness, unity and coherence - all essential to good technical communication. Basic research, effective oral communications and/or collaborative skills are also covered. Employment communication may also be covered.
This business communications course is designed for Computer Studies students. It builds the written and oral communications, teamwork, personal management, and critical thinking skills that are essential to those that work in computer or technological fields. Through team and individual projects, participants learn the essentials of career management and practice the skills that are required in the workplace to communicate effectively with customers, co-workers, and management.
The ability to write clearly and directly is highly prized in organizations. In order to succeed in today's information overload world, writers must be able to effectively articulate ideas quickly, clearly and concisely in proposals, emails, reports, memos, project plans and through social media. This course focuses on creating professional-quality documents for realistic business situations, with an emphasis on audience analysis, appropriateness and editing. Other topics include formal and informal outlining techniques, how to revise for wordiness, unnecessary phrases, redundancy and jargon, and e-correspondence in an "organizational" setting.
ESL932 or equivalent, or permission from coordinator.
In this course, students develop proficient editing skills that enable them to identify grammatical weaknesses in their own writing. Through a focus on error analysis and guided practice, students will learn to become independent self-editors and be able to apply the strategies acquired beyond the duration of this course.
Non-credit Developmental Workshop
Non-credit workshop designed to help students understand problem areas of writing and communication:
A strong command of English is recommended
This twenty-four hour grammar workshop is for students who are experiencing grammar and sentence structure difficulties in their writing. Students will be instructed in common sentence structure and grammar errors, and will bring samples of their own writing. Under the guidance of the instructor and using the common error chart, they will identify their most common grammar difficulties, and develop practical strategies for revising, editing, and correcting their own work, at school or at work.
Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
Earn college credits for what you already know!
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Many students who enter Seneca College will have earned academic credits in post-secondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca College program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
More Information
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Learning Modes
In-class:
The course will be taught in a traditional classroom instructional mode. A variety of methods will be used to aid the student in acquiring the required knowledge to meet the outcome of this course.
Online:
The course will be delivered via the internet. This involves the use of the online materials and/or a text, possible group discussions and consultation with your instructor via email. Students will be responsible for completing all online activities and participating in group discussion and working through textbook questions, as required.
Hybrid:
Delivery is mixed, blending face-to-face instructions and facilitating out of classroom experiences and/or online instructions.
Correspondence:
Correspondence is a self-paced method of learning, supported with email access to an instructor. As a student, you have up to twenty weeks to complete each course, giving you an additional six weeks over the classroom format. Courses typically start the first week of the month. Faculty are available to assist you by fax or email. You can discuss a plan of study with your faculty contact to ensure an appropriate assignment and test schedule. In some cases this may be included in your study guide.
Program Contacts
Jennifer Stemerdink
Program Assistant (ESP courses only)
Jennifer.Stemerdink@senecacollege.ca
416-491-5050 ext.22507
Marianne Tang
Program Assistant (COM & EAC courses only)
Marianne.Tang@senecacollege.ca
416-491-5050 ext.22685
Sara Potkonjak
Academic Program Manager
Sara.Potkonjak@senecacollege.ca
416-491-5050 ext.22682
For more information about these courses, fill out the following form.