English as Second Language

Program Overview

The purpose of the English as a Second Language program is to provide high quality English language instruction and cultural orientation to nonnative speakers of English seeking to enhance their career opportunities or preparing for academic study in the United States. 

Program Objectives

The ESL program intends to accomplish its mission by pursuing the following objectives:

· Offer a curriculum that is based on continuous research, evaluation, and improvement. 

· Develop English language skills by having students engage in a range of communicative tasks and activities.

· Develop awareness of the cultural aspects of the United States in order to bridge cultural differences and ease the transition into American society. 

· Carefully evaluate students during the recruitment process and provide the necessary guidance and support to enable them to achieve their English language learning goals. 

· Assess and monitor students’ academic progress utilizing an ongoing evaluation process.

· Recruit and maintain highly qualified and experienced instructors who understand students' needs. 

· Provide staff development in appropriate instructional, counseling, and assessment strategies for instructors.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

· Communicate effectively by speaking clearly and coherently in academic, professional, and social settings. 

· Implement writing skills and grammatical structures accurately and efficiently to produce well-written, well-organized paragraphs and essays. 

· Apply essential reading and vocabulary strategies to comprehend, analyze, and explain ideas in texts. 

· Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills by applying new language skills.

· Develop understanding of the various cultures in the United States. 

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, students who apply for the English as a Second Language Program should display an understanding of the alphabet and understand some commonly used words. This is demonstrated by obtaining a minimum score of 25 on the placement test. However, 2 Pre-Beginner Levels are available for students who cannot meet this basic admission requirement. Upon completion of the Pre-Beginner Levels, students must demonstrate readiness for the Program’s Core Levels by taking another placement test and scoring at least 25. 

Program Requirements

The ESL program is based on clock hours (contact hours) and does not award any credits. It is composed of 8 Core Levels, Elementary to Upper Advanced, in addition to 2 Pre-Beginner Levels available for students who cannot meet the basic admission requirement. The program consists of 8-week sessions offered year-round. It requires a total of 1,152 contact hours or 1,440 if Pre-Beginner Levels are included (18 hours per week). A full-time student who joins the program in ESL100 (Level 1) will be able to complete the program in 8 sessions (4 semesters) or 2 years. Full-time students who do not meet the basic admission requirement and are placed in the Pre-Beginner Levels will complete the program in 10 sessions (5 semesters) or 2.5 years.

Curriculum

Pre-Beginner Levels are designed for students who have limited or no knowledge of the English language. The goal of instruction is to prepare students to enter elementary level courses within two sessions by helping them acquire skills in all basic areas. 

Core Levels progressively develop English skills for personal, social, professional, and academic purposes. They are designed to develop students' fluency by taking them from a lower level to a higher level of proficiency. 

Each session, students must register for an elective course which provides students with the opportunity to focus on specific skills or content areas. 

All skills are taught in order of difficulty, allowing students to develop the necessary skills in sequence. The curriculum consists of a combination of class work and laboratory work. Class work is composed of lecture, in which the instructor uses a variety of methodologies designed to enhance language acquisition, and student engagement activities. Laboratory work requires students to complete some practical work outside of class.