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Contact
Olga Cupp
Coordinator
White Building, Room 1-151
919-536-7264, ext. 3229
cuppo@durhamtech.edu
Book an appointment
Beyond Basic ESL (BBESL)
Short Term
These classes are designed for those who already have a basic understanding of English and/or have already studied English either in the US or another country.
Students will be required to have a computer and reliable internet access to take our courses. View the Canvas Video Tour for students.
Fall 2026 courses run from September 8 - December 16, 2026.
Be sure to register for courses by September 4, 2026.
- How to Register
To register for courses:
- Continuing students with Social Security Numbers: Register and pay for Continuing Education classes online.
- New students or students without Social Security Numbers: Use the Continuing Education Registration form. Email the form to cgl@durhamtech.edu or fax it to 919-536-7277.
- Online BBESL Courses
To make sure that we provide an interactive and productive language learning environment, our instructors will use the following tools in their online courses:
- Optional online check-ins or mandatory real-time (live) online meetings
- Interactive discussion forums
- Videos and recorded materials
- Opportunity to chat/interact with your instructor and classmates in real-time
- Online group work
- Listening and speaking activities
- Projects, assignments, and presentations
- Ongoing communication with instructor through email and chat
- Other English Language Programs
- Basic Skills ESL classes (noncredit)
- English for Academic Purposes (EAP) (credit, curriculum)
Program Information
View the program structure, electives by level, and BBESL certificate programs.
Questions?
Complete an online information request form or call 919-536-7264, ext 3229.
FLI-3701A2 Listening and Speaking for AP - B
This INTERMEDIATE level content-based course will focus on developing LISTENING and SPEAKING English skills necessary to succeed in academic settings. Assignments will emphasize critical thinking and integrative skill development through listening and speaking activities using high-interest content materials. Listening and speaking strategies and practice activities will be centered on authentic recordings from "person on the street" interviews, social conversations, radio programs and university lectures. Students will listen to audio and view video recordings, acquire information about an academic content topic, take notes, participate and lead small group discussions and learn how to organize ideas and deliver presentations. The course will address common pronunciation challenges in American English but does not focus on pronunciation. The course utilizes a content-based language teaching approach, which means students will use English to communicate knowledge and ideas about a variety of academic content topics like anthropology, art, biology, business, ecology, economics, history, literature, psychology and sociology. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time. Required Textbook: Pathways 3 Listening, Speaking,, and Critical Thinking by Becky Tarver Chase and Christien Lee, National Geographic Learning, 2ndEdition, ISBN 978-1-337-40773-1
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4904 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
137
|
T 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
TH 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom | |
| X4920 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
153
|
T 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
TH 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X4897 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
131
|
M 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
W 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711CK Reading and Writing for AP C
This ADVANCED level content-based course will focus on developing READING and WRITING English skills necessary to succeed in academic settings. Assignments will emphasize critical thinking and integrative skill development through reading and writing activities using high-interest materials. Students will learn academic reading strategies and will write academic essays in order to develop reading, writing and analytical skills needed for university study. The course utilizes a content-based language teaching approach, which means students will use English to communicate knowledge and ideas about a variety of academic content topics like anthropology, art, biology, business, ecology, economics, history, literature, psychology and sociology. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time. Required Textbook: Pathways 4 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking by Mari Vargo and Laurie Blass, National Geographic Learning, 2ndEdition, ISBN 978-1-337-40780-9
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4895 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
106
|
T 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
TH 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom |
FLI-3701A3 Listening & Speaking for AP-C
This ADVANCED level content-based course will focus on developing LISTENING and SPEAKING English skills necessary to succeed in academic settings. Assignments will emphasize critical thinking and integrative skill development through listening and speaking activities using high-interest content materials. Listening and speaking strategies and practice activities will be centered on authentic recordings from "person on the street" interviews, social conversations, radio programs and university lectures. Students will listen to audio and view video recordings acquire information about an academic content topic, take notes, participate and lead small group discussions and learn how to organize ideas and deliver presentations. The course will address common pronunciation challenges in American English but does not focus on pronunciation. The course utilizes a content-based language teaching approach, which means students will use English to communicate knowledge and ideas about a variety of academic content topics like anthropology, art, biology, business, ecology, economics, history, literature, psychology and sociology. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time. Required Textbook: Pathways 4 Listening, Speaking,, and Critical Thinking by Paul Macintyre, National Geographic Learning, 2ndEdition, ISBN 978-1337407748
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4898 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
153
|
T 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
TH 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711CF American Idioms and Culture
Idioms are phrases that are unique to a language and/or culture, and they are not easy to learn. Many non-native speakers of English may feel frustrated or confused when it comes to idiomatic expressions. This course aims to develop vocabulary focusing on American idioms in spoken and written language. Learning about American traditions, lifestyle, holidays and history will provide the context to the course, so students can become more confident US English speakers.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4906 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
215
|
T 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
TH 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711O Business English, Part I
Business English Part I is the first of two courses intended for students with an intermediate/high-intermediate level of academic English language proficiency. This integrated skills content-based language course aims to help students in or preparing for work who need to improve their communicative ability when socializing, telephoning, presenting, taking part in meetings and negotiating. Various aspects of business English will be covered, including (but not limited to) statistical graphs, measurements, social language, meetings and presentations. Also, in the course, there is an introduction to business letters - enquiries, ordering, confirmations, etc. This is an asynchronous course with OPTIONAL meeting times.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4923 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
137
|
T 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
TH 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X4913 |
9/29 - 12/8
|
Internet |
-
|
-
|
Online |
COM-3711BM Communicative Grammar II
Do you feel like that after so many English grammar classes you still don't use those grammar structures correctly and consistently? Finally, this is a course that can help you with that. Communicative Grammar I is an intermediate-level course where English grammar is taught through communicative activities. The student-centered classes will help you learn in creative and meaningful ways using role plays, dialogues, debates and games. Communicative Grammar II is part of a 2-part series. Communicative Grammar I is not a prerequisite for Communicative Grammar II. Either course can be taken independently. 20 hours $75 Students are required to have the textbook on the first day of class. Required Textbook: Focus on Grammar 3, Irene E. Schoenberg, Jay Maurer, Marjorie Fuchs, Margaret Bonner, and Miriam Westheimer, Fifth Edition, Pearson Longman ISBN 9780134583297
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4909 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
213
|
T 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
TH 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711BX English in the 21st Century
English in the 21st Century Workplace. The dynamic technological advancement, globalization and fast-paced environment have significantly changed the 21st century workplace, presenting new challenges for the workforce. Although developing English language skills of non-native speakers of English is central to effective communication, language development is also imperative to expand employees' soft skill-sets and new ways of thinking to promote success and advancement within the working environment. This course fully integrates English language skills, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening with the content focused on 21st century job skills. Through 8 thematic modules, communication and social skills, critical thinking, decision making and problem solving, collaboration and team work, information and media literacy, creativity and innovation, productivity, technology and internet etiquette, and leadership, the course introduces, develops and reinforces English language skills so that the participants can increase their efficiency at work and can become competitive in a changing job market.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4919 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
137
|
M 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
W 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711CJ Reading and Writing for AP - B
This INTERMEDIATE level content-based course will focus on developing READING and WRITING English skills necessary to succeed in academic settings. Assignments will emphasize critical thinking and integrative skill development through reading and writing activities using high-interest materials. Students will learn to recognize common structures of reading materials and learn the foundation of academic writing. The course utilizes a content-based language teaching approach, which means students will use English to communicate knowledge and ideas about a variety of academic content topics like anthropology, art, biology, business, ecology, economics, history, literature, psychology, and sociology. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time. Required Textbook: Pathways 3 Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking by Mari Vargo and Laurie Blass, National Geographic Learning, 2ndEdition, ISBN 978-1-337-40779 Units 1-5 will be covered in Spring 2021 The textbook may not be available for purchase outside of the united States. This is an asynchronous course with OPTIONAL meeting times.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4896 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
138
|
M 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
W 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711CH Presentations in the 21st Century
The goal of this ADVANCED level course is to help students achieve academic, personal and professional success by using TED Talks and other authentic models of effective communications and presentations. The course will primarily improve essential listening and speaking skills for the 21st century, together with critical thinking, collaboration and visual literacy. Students are required to have the textbook on the first day of class. Required Textbook: 21st Century Communication 4 by Christien Lee, First edition, National Geographic Learning ISBN: 978-1-337-27583-5
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4901 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
203
|
M 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
W 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
FLI-3701A2 Listening and Speaking for AP - B
This INTERMEDIATE level content-based course will focus on developing LISTENING and SPEAKING English skills necessary to succeed in academic settings. Assignments will emphasize critical thinking and integrative skill development through listening and speaking activities using high-interest content materials. Listening and speaking strategies and practice activities will be centered on authentic recordings from "person on the street" interviews, social conversations, radio programs and university lectures. Students will listen to audio and view video recordings, acquire information about an academic content topic, take notes, participate and lead small group discussions and learn how to organize ideas and deliver presentations. The course will address common pronunciation challenges in American English but does not focus on pronunciation. The course utilizes a content-based language teaching approach, which means students will use English to communicate knowledge and ideas about a variety of academic content topics like anthropology, art, biology, business, ecology, economics, history, literature, psychology and sociology. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments on time. Required Textbook: Pathways 3 Listening, Speaking,, and Critical Thinking by Becky Tarver Chase and Christien Lee, National Geographic Learning, 2ndEdition, ISBN 978-1-337-40773-1
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4904 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
137
|
T 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
TH 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom | |
| X4920 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
153
|
T 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
TH 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X4897 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
131
|
M 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
W 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711CS Professional Writing and Communication
Professional Writing and Communication is a course intended for students who are non-native speakers and English. The course will give students a solid foundation and a working knowledge in the communications aspects of business. It will specifically focus on developing skills that students need to write effective documents in the workplace.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4910 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
236
|
M 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM
W 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711E Accent Reduction for International Prof
This comprehensive course will help you learn to speak US English clearly and accurately, which will have a significant impact on successful communication at work from informal conversations with coworkers to formal presentations. All aspects of pronunciation are covered, including production and discrimination of consonants and vowels as well as other important aspects of English pronunciation such as stress, rhythm and intonation. Students are encouraged to set individualized goals for focused study throughout the semester.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4899 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
201
|
M 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
W 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711AC TOEFL
If you need to improve your listening and speaking scores for the TOEFL iBT exam, this is your chance. The TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) preparation class is an intensive English skills development course, which focuses on teaching standardized test taking strategies for the TOEFL iBT while strengthening the main skills of English learning: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Though the intent and focus of the course is specifically aimed at enhancing TOEFL students' iBT scores, the material covered in class will fine-tune any student's English communication for use in academic and professional settings. Required Textbook: Mastering Skills for the TOEFL iBT (Advanced), Moraig Macgillivray, Patrick Yancey, Casey Malarcher, Jeff Zeter, Second Edition, Compass Publishing ISBN 9781599665191.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4918 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
203
|
M 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
W 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X4915 |
9/21 - 12/16
9/21 - 12/16
|
Internet |
-
|
M 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
|
Online |
COM-3711P American Media
The media (often seen as "mass media") are at the forefront of culture and politics, and even education, in 2019 and beyond. Moreover, the media have undergone and continue to undergo major changes in format, purpose and impact. Thus, it is essential to acquire "media literacy": understanding of the past, present and future of the media's role and influence in our lives. To make the subject even more compelling, media language and discourse can differ significantly from the expository communications we use in education and business. Then, too, there is the challenge of propaganda and "fake news," which calls us to bring new critical thinking efforts to our media consumption. Finally, we must also consider some ways we can enhance our perception and understanding of these different formats' languages and messages. (Take, for example, the "newspeak" of social media: spelling and grammar changes, emojis, memes, GIFs, and many more.) Through the textbook Media, Society, Culture and You (Mark Poepsel, Rebus Community 2018) and through our own direct exploration of the various media--from the older "legacy" media to the new internet-social media--we will study how their various forms of discourse can be understood in terms of sender, message, channel, audience and effect. During our term together we will have multi-media lessons as well as guest speakers and field trips. Finally, through vocabulary, grammar, reading (both verbal and visual), writing and listening-speaking activities, and critical thinking exercises, we will improve our ability to understand the media messages themselves and acquire not only media literacy, but also media fluency.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4900 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
213
|
M 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
W 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711BU Everyday Pronunciation
This pronunciation course offers a communicative approach to give students the tools, tips and techniques they need to speak clearly, accurately and fluently. Students will learn rules of pronunciation of the level target points, participate in focused listening and speaking tasks and complete various assignments centered on every-day and high-interest topics to apply knowledge of pronunciation. All aspects of pronunciation are included - consonants, vowels, stress, rhythm and intonation. Everyday Pronunciation I is not a prerequisite for Everyday Pronunciation II. Either course can be taken independently. The course is designed for intermediate levels of students. Required Textbook: Well Said: Pronunciation for Clear Communication 3rd edition, Linda Grant ISBN 1424006252
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4905 |
9/8 - 12/10
9/8 - 12/10
|
Main Campus |
215
|
T 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
TH 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711BC Conversation Workshop II
Are you ready to practice your speaking/listening skills in a fun, student-centered and content based language class? In this lower-intermediate course you will focus on improving your spoken English and active listening skills through communicative activities, like role plays, dialogues, interviews, real-life situations, class discussions, and games in academic, professional and social contexts.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4924 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
OCC |
105
|
M 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
W 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
|
Classroom |
FLI-3701W Essential English for Academic Purposes, Sp
This INTENSIVE integrated skills course is designed for non-native speakers of English who want to improve their English language skills for personal, professional and academic purposes. The course aims to develop the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills that students need to communicate confidently in English. Our student-centered and content-based classes foster an effective language-learning environment where students can improve, not only their language abilities, but also their cultural awareness and understanding of the US.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4925 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
OCC |
105
|
M 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
W 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
|
Classroom | |
| X4911 |
9/25 - 12/11
|
Main Campus |
137
|
F 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X5047 |
9/28 - 12/14
9/28 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
153
|
M 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
W 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
|
Classroom |
COM-3711AC TOEFL
If you need to improve your listening and speaking scores for the TOEFL iBT exam, this is your chance. The TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) preparation class is an intensive English skills development course, which focuses on teaching standardized test taking strategies for the TOEFL iBT while strengthening the main skills of English learning: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Though the intent and focus of the course is specifically aimed at enhancing TOEFL students' iBT scores, the material covered in class will fine-tune any student's English communication for use in academic and professional settings. Required Textbook: Mastering Skills for the TOEFL iBT (Advanced), Moraig Macgillivray, Patrick Yancey, Casey Malarcher, Jeff Zeter, Second Edition, Compass Publishing ISBN 9781599665191.
| Section Number |
Dates | Location | Building | Room | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X4918 |
9/9 - 12/14
9/9 - 12/14
|
Main Campus |
203
|
M 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
W 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
|
Classroom | |
| X4915 |
9/21 - 12/16
9/21 - 12/16
|
Internet |
-
|
M 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
W 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
|
Online |
COM-3711BN Academic Vocabulary I
This course is designed for instructional areas related to interpersonal skills for the workplace: 1) dealing with conflict, 2) improving conversational and listening skills, 3) grammar, 4) reading skills, 5) writing skills 7) team communication and 6) identifying nonverbal cues in an intercultural setting.
COM-3711BL Communicative Grammar I
This course is designed for instructional areas related to interpersonal skills for the workplace: 1) dealing with conflict, 2) improving conversational and listening skills, 3) grammar, 4) reading skills, 5) writing skills 7) team communication and 6) identifying nonverbal cues in an intercultural setting.