2011 - 2012 English as a Second Language (ESL)

Director: Jennifer Ritter

Program Description

The English as a Second Language (ESL) program supports non-native English speaking students in academic English acquisition. ESL students have the opportunity to improve their English ability through coursework and through individualized tutoring. The ESL courses include both a skills-based focus, with emphases on academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as content-based courses in culture, grammar, academic vocabulary, and academic disciplines.

ESL students who score below Westminster College's English language admission requirement may be conditionally accepted to the College through the Westminster English as a Second Language Institute (WESLI) or the ESL Bridge Program.

Program Goals

• Students will acquire academic writing skills in English in order to write for an American academic audience. This includes learning the process of writing and the rhetorical situation for college assignments. In addition, students will learn cultural expectations of the American audience.
• Students will improve academic reading skills, including reading fluency and comprehension.
• Students will develop strategies for listening and speaking in classroom situations. This includes learning note-taking, class discussion, and presentation skills.
• Students will have the opportunity to adjust to life in the USA and at Westminster College. This includes participating in activities in the community and interacting with American students.
• Students will have the opportunity to receive individualized tutoring assistance to facilitate their learning in academic courses at Westminster College.
  

Admissions Criteria

Students who do not meet the English language requirement for admissions may be conditionally accepted to Westminster College through the WESLI or ESL Bridge Program.

WESLI

Students must demonstrate an intermediate level in English with a standardized test score. WESLI students must meet one of the following scores:

TOEFL ibt: 45
IELTS: 5.5
Pearson's Test: 39
TOEFL pbt: 450

WESLI students must meet the following requirements for full admission to Westminster College:

• Receive a grade of C or higher in all their classes
• Receive a recommendation from the WESLI director
• Score the equivalent of a TOEFL ibt 79 on a standardized test, such as Compass ESL or the institutional TOEFL

WESLI students who do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirements after 3 semesters are unable to matriculate at Westminster College.

ESL Bridge Program

Students must demonstrate an advanced-intermediate level in English with a standardized test score. ESL Bridge students must meet one of the following scores:

TOEFL ibt: 61
IELTS: 6.0
Pearson's Test: 44
TOEFL pbt: 500

Bridge students must do ALL of the following for full admission to Westminster College:

• Receive a grade of C or higher in all their classes
• Receive a recommendation from the WESLI director
• Score the equivalent of a TOEFL ibt 79 on a standardized test, such as the Compass ESL or the Institutional TOEFL.

Bridge students who do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirements after 2 semesters are unable to matriculate at Westminster College.