ALI 011 A1 Reading, Writing, & Vocabulary Credits: 1-3

This course develops students' reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and writing skills through structured reading assignments, vocabulary-building activities, and written responses. Students will learn how to extract key information from texts, express ideas clearly in writing, and expand their vocabulary in meaningful ways. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 012 A1 Reading, Speaking, & Pronunciation Credits: 1-3

This course emphasizes oral reading fluency, discussion skills, and pronunciation improvement through structured reading and speaking activities. Students will engage with a variety of texts and practice articulating ideas clearly in discussions, while also improving their pronunciation and speaking confidence through guided read-alouds. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 013 A1 Listening & Speaking Credits: 1-3

This course develops listening and speaking skills through a variety of spoken texts, including teacher-led discussions, peer conversations, and guest speakers, as well as recorded speech from authentic and AI-generated materials. Speaking activities will balance rehearsed and unrehearsed communication, helping students gain confidence in structured presentations and spontaneous conversations. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A1

ALI 014 A1 Handwriting & Grammar Credits: 1-3

This course focuses on handwriting fluency, sentence structure, and grammar accuracy to support students' ability to write clearly and correctly in English. Through structured practice, students will improve their writing mechanics, grammatical accuracy, and ability to construct well-formed sentences and paragraphs. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A1

ALI 021 A2 Reading, Writing, & Vocabulary Credits: 1-3

This course develops students' reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and writing skills through structured reading assignments, vocabulary-building activities, and written responses. Students will learn how to extract key information from texts, express ideas clearly in writing, and expand their vocabulary in meaningful ways. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A2

ALI 022 A2 Reading, Speaking, & Pronunciation Credits: 1-3

This course emphasizes oral reading fluency, discussion skills, and pronunciation improvement through structured reading and speaking activities. Students will engage with a variety of texts and practice articulating ideas clearly in discussions, while also improving their pronunciation and speaking confidence through guided read-alouds. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A2

ALI 023 A2 Listening & Speaking Credits: 1-3

This course develops students' listening comprehension and speaking skills by exposing them to a variety of spoken texts from both human and AI-generated sources. Students will practice listening to live speech, including teacher-led discussions, peer conversations, and guest speakers, as well as recorded speech from authentic and AI-generated materials. Speaking activities will balance rehearsed and unrehearsed communication, helping students gain confidence in structured presentations and spontaneous conversations. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A2

ALI 024 A2 Handwriting & Grammar Credits: 1-3

This course focuses on handwriting fluency, sentence structure, and grammar accuracy to support students' ability to write clearly and correctly in English. Through structured practice, students will improve their writing mechanics, grammatical accuracy, and ability to construct well-formed sentences and paragraphs. This course carries no credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: CALIOPE placement into A2

ALI 100 Special Topics in English as a Second Language Credits: 1-6

A course designed to address the specific needs of an individual student or group of students studying English as a Second Language. In addition to targeting English skills, the course may address topics or skills which are not covered in the standard Academic English curriculum of the Applied Language Institute. This course will accommodate individual students or groups of students studying at the Institute for periods of time other than the standard semester length. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

ALI 101 Basic Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of survival level sentence structures and words. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 102 Basic Reading and Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of fundamental fluency in reading to meet the basic needs of everyday life and classroom interactions. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 103 Basic Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of speaking and listening for survival-level functions in English. Does not count toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval

ALI 111 Novice Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of written communication for non-native speakers of English including handwriting, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Frequent short exercises emphasize basic sentence structure, biographical description, and completion of standard forms. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 112 Novice Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of reading for non-native speakers of English with basic English vocabulary in context. Exercises focus on reading comprehension, identifying the topics of short readings, and the introduction of basic dictionary skills. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 113 Novice Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of oral communication for non-native speakers of English. Exercises include the development of oral competency in everyday social contexts. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 115 Digital Writing & Information Literacy Credits: 3

This course introduces academic writing and communication practices used in undergraduate coursework. Paseo students compose, revise, and evaluate digital academic texts while developing information literacy skills, including ethical source use and responsible integration of digital and AI-supported tools for academic inquiry and communication.

Prerequisites: TOEFL score 61-69, IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5 in all bands), DET 90-99, CALIOPE placement into B1, or completion of ALI level A2, or permission from the ALI

ALI 116 Handwriting, Grammar, & Test Preparation Credits: 3

This course focuses on producing clear, accurate, and well-organized academic writing under typical undergraduate assessment conditions. Paseo students complete guided and timed writing tasks that emphasize revision, editing, synthesis of course materials, and effective written responses to academic prompts.

Prerequisites: TOEFL score 61-69, IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5 in all bands), DET 90-99, CALIOPE placement into B1, or completion of ALI level A2, or permission from the ALI

ALI 117 Academic Discussions, Presentations, & Debates Credits: 3

This course develops students’ ability to participate in spoken academic contexts, including discussions, presentations, and debates. Paseo students practice organizing ideas, supporting arguments with evidence, responding to others’ perspectives, and engaging in academic discourse across disciplines. Does not count toward Oral Communication credit.

Prerequisites: TOEFL score 61-69, IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5 in all bands), DET 90-99, CALIOPE placement into B1, or completion of ALI level A2, or permission from the ALI

ALI 121 Intermediate Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of developing paragraphs and essays of different organizational structures for non-native speakers of English. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 122 Intermediate Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of reading narrative and expository texts for non-native speakers of English. Exercises focus on the development of vocabulary and reading techniques such as identification of topics and main ideas, skimming, scanning, prediction, and inference. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 123 Intermediate Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of oral communication for non-native speakers of English in environments such as the classroom, work, and social occasions. Exercises focus on both the speaking and listening aspects of communicative competency in English. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 131 Advanced Writing & Grammar for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of written Standard English in academic contexts for non-native speakers of English. Exercises emphasize critical thinking and research skills, fluency and accuracy in academic writing, and mastery of grammar features for clear written communication. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 132 Advanced Reading & Vocabulary for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

This course prepares non-native speakers of English for addressing academic reading materials through the development of a conscious and reflective approach toward reading. It emphasizes reading skills of interpretation, inference, critical analysis, evaluation, and application. Exercises include effective study skills and collaborative academic work. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 133 Advanced Speaking & Listening for Non-Native Speakers Credits: 1-4

The study and practice of Standard English for non-native speakers of English, particularly in academic contexts. Exercises include formal (classroom presentation) and informal (conversation) English speaking, and practice in academic lecture comprehension and note-taking. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 151 English Writing for Graduate Level Study Credits: 1-4

This course is designed for international students who intend to enroll in graduate level courses. Courses at this level should match the rigor and academic expectations of most graduate courses. The difference between graduate level writing at the ALI and other graduate courses at UMKC is that this level raises students’ awareness of the academic language and culture that are often embedded in graduate courses. The difference between graduate level writing and other ALI courses is that there is less emphasis on English language skill building. Students are expected to identify their linguistically weak areas and improve them autonomously. This course does not count for credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 153 English Speaking for Graduate Level Study Credits: 1-4

This course is designed for international students who intend to enroll in graduate level courses. Courses at this level should match the rigor and academic expectations of most graduate courses. The difference between graduate level speaking at the ALI and other graduate courses at UMKC is that this level raises students’ awareness of the academic language and culture that are often embedded in graduate courses. The difference between graduate level speaking and other ALI courses is that there is less emphasis on English language skill building. Students are expected to identify their linguistically weak areas and improve them autonomously. This course does not count for credit towards graduation.

Prerequisites: Applied Language Institute Approval.

ALI 160 Academic Communication for International Students Credits: 3

This course prepares international students to engage with academic communication practices in U.S. undergraduate study. Emphasis is placed on participating in discussions, producing academic writing, and navigating academic expectations through applied tasks drawn from common university contexts.

Prerequisites: TOEFL score 61-69, IELTS 5.5 (minimum 5 in all bands), DET 90-99, CALIOPE placement into B2, completion of ALI level B1, or permission from the ALI

ALI 161 Academic Writing Support for International Students Credits: 2

Course discussion and exercises emphasize fluency and accuracy in written academic discourse in Standard English as well as critical thinking and research skills. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: ENGLISH 110.

ALI 162 Academic Reading Support for International Students Credits: 2

This course focuses on preparing students to deal effectively with academic reading materials by guiding them in the development of a conscious and reflective approach toward reading. It emphasizes advanced reading skills of interpretation, inference, critical analysis, evaluation, and application. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: COMM-ST 209.

ALI 163 Oral Communication Skills for International Students Credits: 2

The study and practice of oral communicative competency in Standard English, particularly in the college classroom. Exercises include training in formal classroom presentation and informal English speaking. This course carries no credit toward graduation.

Prerequisites: Admitted to Paseo Program.

Co-requisites: COMM-ST 110.