Online Textbook Overview

This Pressbook has been designed for students enrolled in the ESL 116 Academic Reading and Vocabulary Skills course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We recognize that you are likely coming to this course with experience reading in your own language and in English. Such experience is a good foundation we will build on to help you become a more confident and successful reader.

The information and knowledge check activities in this Pressbook complement the quizzes and assignments you will complete within the Canvas Learning Management System for this course. Although the knowledge check activities in this Pressbook are ungraded, you should complete all tasks throughout to build your understanding of the fundamentals of university-level academic reading.

Welcome to ESL 116!

Here are some answers to questions you might have about ESL 116.

What is the purpose of ESL 116?

ESL 116 teaches you how to read academic sources effectively to understand general purpose(s), main ideas, and relationships among those ideas. In addition, this course will help you enhance your academic vocabulary. This class is an excellent foundational course for academic writing. You will gain the skills and confidence to use information from sources while avoiding plagiarism.

Am I allowed to use Generative AI in ESL 116?

The main objective of this class is to teach you strategies to become efficient and effective readers while using your own English independently, without reliance on artificial mechanisms of language production. Your instructors; however,  recognize the increasing use of AI in classrooms and its usefulness for language learners. Therefore, you will be allowed to use AI in ESL 116, but only in specific activities and only as directed by your instructors. You will not be allowed to use AI in the production of major assignments.

Will ESL 116 help me in ESL 117 & 118?

Absolutely! The skills you learn in ESL 116 will be further developed and expanded upon in ESL 117 & 118. In fact, students who complete ESL 116 tend to do well in academic writing courses.

Will ESL 116 help me in my other coursework?

Yes! The skills from this course are transferable to any college-level course in which you will complete reading and writing assignments. Many ESL 116 students have reported that this course has helped them successfully complete writing assignments for other classes.