Academic Levels
Academic Preparation (LEAP 3 – LEAP 8)
The content for the intermediate to advanced levels of the LEAP Program is drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines. Each week students practice all of their core language skills in the context of an academic subject. The level of critical thinking skills and the complexity of academic strategies increases as students progress through the program.
LEAP provides a unique learning experience for students by:
- Facilitating development of language and academic skills
- Assisting students to become successful independent learners
- Encouraging student integration into the Langara College academic and social community
- Promoting academic excellence
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In LEAP 3, students are exposed to a wide variety of listening and reading input. This rich language environment enhances students' opportunities to use English for meaningful oral communication and information exchange. Writing provides an additional means for students to build vocabulary and express ideas related to weekly topics.
LEAP 3 Process Project
The Process Project introduces students to simple research and presentation skills. For this project, students research the steps in the processing of a food item. They present their information in small groups using a process flow chart. During the presentation, they are encouraged not to memorize, but to explain the process following the notes on their flow chart.
In LEAP 4, students develop the ability to understand and express themselves on topics of general interest, both orally and in writing. Reading texts and ESL short stories are used to develop reading skills. Listening passages include short conversations, interviews, and monologues. Journal writing enhances writing fluency and paragraph writing encourages students to organize and develop their ideas.
LEAP 4 Famous Canadians Project
The Famous Canadians Project requires students to work in a small group to research a famous Canadian. Students use their research to prepare an oral presentation that focuses on what makes their famous Canadian a great person. This PowerPoint presentation includes visuals and details about the person’s background, interesting and relevant aspects about their family/childhood, education, and information about their accomplishments. For the writing component of this project, each group member individually writes one paragraph about his/her Famous Canadian.
In LEAP 5, students are introduced to note-taking techniques using adapted and authentic readings and listenings. They learn to recognize levels of information and types of support in academic style texts and lectures. Students practice previewing, analyzing questions, and developing ideas to answer these questions. Different styles of academic paragraph writing and longer academic writing, such as the 5-paragraph essay, are core components of this level.
LEAP 5 Poster Presentation
The LEAP 5 Poster Presentation is an oral presentation related to one of the themes studied during the course. Each group will be assigned a different topic. Each group member will research, prepare, and present on a specific sub-topic. As a group, students prepare a poster for an academic presentation incorporating key visual and text information. In addition to taking responsibility for their individual research, students must collaborate with their group members to ensure that the presentation is cohesive and the poster is effective.
In LEAP 6, students practice applying specific strategies and skills that build language proficiency within an academic context. Materials are used not only to develop language, but also to teach students specific strategies and skills that will enable them to be successful college and university students in North America. Students attend authentic college lectures and gain experience taking and organizing their lecture notes into levels of information. They make detailed margin notes from articles, chunk information in a text, and write summaries, paragraphs, and essays which include the synthesis of information from different sources. As students in LEAP 6 are fast approaching university studies, one of the primary goals of this level is to foster independent learning and assist students to become more self-directed in their studies.
LEAP 6 Formal Presentation
In LEAP 6, students are required to work in a group of three to four people to research, prepare, and present a formal presentation. The group divides the topic into three or four subtopics, so that each member of the group has a specific subtopic to present individually. Students do independent research using Internet sources and articles accessed through the College library databases to gather information. Library workshops teach students how to use these resources effectively to do academic research. The project requires students to apply the skills that they learned in the context of writing to an oral presentation: they paraphrase, summarize and synthesize research sources, and organize their information. In addition, they present their information orally to a large group, use audio-visual support materials effectively, and lead small group discussions.
In LEAP 7, students are introduced to academic arguments and the specific strategies and skills that are used to recognize and build written and spoken arguments. Students use active reading and listening strategies to understand information at a deeper level and to think critically about the information in the sources. Proficiency with the skills of argumentation, analyzing and evaluating sources, using inference, recognizing bias and point of view, and using citations and references are core components of LEAP 7. Students at this level also learn to use the College online course management system to access lesson materials, participate in online discussions, and receive instructions on submitting online assignments.
LEAP 7 Debate
In LEAP 7, students prepare and engage in a 40-minute debate. The debate includes the formal sections of argument, question period, rebuttal, and summary. Students do outside research on their debate topic and apply the skills of argumentation developed throughout the course. They present a set of clearly defined premises that illustrate the reasons for the position, evidence that supports these premises, an acknowledgment of the opposition or other points of view, and a convincing conclusion. Students are also required to demonstrate strong presentation skills.
In LEAP 8, students further develop skills to analyze and interpret information from journal articles and lectures. They work in pairs to prepare and lead a seminar group discussion. Students build on academic skills developed at earlier levels to research a topic and write a 2000-word research paper. They are proficient with the use of the College online course management system to access lesson materials, participate in online discussions, and receive instructions on submitting online assignments.
LEAP 8 is the final level of the LEAP Program. Students who graduate from the LEAP Program receive a Langara College certificate. Graduation from LEAP 8 meets the language requirement for entrance into the Arts and Science (University-Transfer) Program at Langara College. Graduation from LEAP 8 also meets the prerequisite for entry into college credit English (English 1107).
LEAP 8 Research Presentation
In LEAP 8, each student prepares and gives a presentation on the information that they have gathered for their research paper. Through this process, students are given the opportunity to share their expertise and a well-researched topic of their choice. Students use key visuals and graphics to explain complex ideas and enhance the presentation. To conclude, the presenter addresses questions from the audience.
