Developmental English

Developmental English courses are standard offerings in most American colleges. They give students a chance to improve their English reading and writing skills in order to be successful in higher academic courses. Developmental English is designed for native-speakers. It is not English as a Second Language.

Who Takes Developmental English?

Students who take the Compass English placement test on the Alexandria Campus are placed in English courses according to their scores in the reading and writing sections. Some students who are placed in Developmental English may have been out of school for several years, working or raising a family or completing military service. Others are recent U.S. high school graduates. All students write a short essay on the first day of class so that we can be sure placements are correct.

What Happens in Developmental English Courses?

Some students in ENG 001 and 003 (the writing courses) are surprised to find that they read a lot. We know that people who read well become better writers. Students read good contemporary fiction and nonfiction books, as well as The Washington Post. In recent terms, students have read works by Toni Morrison, August Wilson, J.D. Salinger, Elva Hart, and Rick Bragg. Writing assignments may include journals, paragraphs, brief essays, research papers, interviews and poems. All papers go through many stages of drafting and revising. Assignments in ENG 003 are considerably longer and harder than assignments in ENG 001. Both writing courses teach grammar skills.

Students in ENG 004 and 005 (the reading courses) also read a lot, and focus on specific reading skills such as vocabulary, summarizing and outlining. In recent terms, they have read a science fiction book about slavery, a scientist's memoir of growing up in West Virginia coalfields, a novel about lawyers and street people, a reporter's memoir of growing up poor in Alabama, as well as The Washington Post. Assignments in ENG 004 focus on basic reading skills. Assignments in ENG 005 ask students to show a deeper and more accurate understanding of their reading, and to write a series of analytical papers.

All students learn to research topics on the Internet, as well as to use the campus library and a variety of applications in the Computer Center. All students can get free consultations on papers from trained student consultants at the Writing Assistance Center.

Who Teaches Developmental English Courses at Alexandria?

Quotes From Students of Developmental English Courses

Helpful Resources

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