The course EL001 is a bridging course at USP. All new students enrolling at USP are expected to sit ELSA: English Language Skills Assessment. This is a diagnostic test that helps identify deficiencies in the English Language Skills of students. Regulations stipulate that those students with a band score of 2 or lower need to enroll into EL 001 prior to them attempting 200 level courses.

The 4-macro skills, listen, speak, read, and write are integrated into three books, which are taught concurrently. Each component of a skill is then taught progressively with other similar skills. The emphasis of each chapter is on a particular skill rather than on content. The students are expected to apply the skills learnt to their own respective disciplines. The assignments, tests, journals, and tear off tasks are strategically placed immediately after the skill has been taught.

The modes by which this course is currently presented include face to face, print mode 1 where students have compulsory contact times of 2 hours a week, and the Scheme 2 DFL mode where students meet at a stipulated time for 2-3 days and complete the course as an intensive exercise.

The purpose of this course is to help first year students improve their use of academic English.