ESL Program
Our Objectives
The English as a Second Language Program at Lewis University provides
intensive, academic English language learning for students whose
native language is not English. The ESL Program prepares students
to enroll in and successfully complete a university degree program.
The ESL Program focuses on the academic skills encountered in
university classrooms, as well as adjustment to and understanding
of U.S. culture. The program requires approximately 20 hours of
instruction each week including classes and computer lab work.
Students are expected to complete at least 20 additional hours
of home assignments each week.
Admission and Placement
The
ESL Program is designed for students who 1) have completed a
high
school diploma or its equivalent in their home country or the
U.S.; 2) are preparing to enter a U.S. university; and 3) who
have no TOEFL score or whose TOEFL score falls below 500. Additionally,
Resident Alien students (holders of "green cards"),
who have completed high school in a language other than English,
may also be admitted into the ESL Program. Students accepted
into
the ESL Program are tested for placement in one of three levels:
beginning, intermediate and advanced. The ESL Placement Examination
is administered on or before the first day of class. The ESL
Placement
Examination is available in the Leckrone Academic Resource Center
(LARC).
Program Completion / University Admittance
Many students start their course work at the Beginning level,
for which no college credit is given. Students complete the ESL
Program by earning a "C" grade or above in all courses
through intermediate and advanced levels. There are six courses
to complete on the intermediate level and six more on the advanced
level. Students may then enroll in Lewis University undergraduate
courses. Students may also begin undergraduate degree work upon
obtaining a TOEFL score of 500 or more. For admittance to Lewis
University Graduate Programs or to programs in other institutions,
applicants must consult individual program or institution requirements.
University Credit
All ESL courses at intermediate and advanced levels earn university
credit and may be applied to the 128 hours necessary to graduate
from Lewis University. Some advanced ESL students may, with the
permission of the ESL Program Director, combine undergraduate
courses with advanced ESL study.
Our
Curriculum
The English as a Second Language Program at Lewis University provides
academic English for international students entering the University.
Students attend classes daily for a total of 18 classroom hours
per week. Students also have daily home assignments, weekly assigned
work in the computer lab, daily practice in conversation skills,
and occasional outings in the community. Six courses at each level
cover the following areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening,
grammar, and American culture. Each course is offered at three
levels: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced.
ESL Courses Offered Each Semester
36-021
Beginning Reading
36-031 Beginning Writing
36-041 Beginning Listening
36-051 Beginning Speaking
36-061 Beginning Grammar
36-071 Beginning Culture
36-100
Basic Reading Methods (Intermediate Reading) (3)
36-102 Sentence and Paragraph (Intermediate Writing) (3)
36-142 Intermediate Listening (3)
36-152 Intermediate Speaking (3)
36-162 Intermediate Grammar (3)
36-172 Intermediate Culture (3)
36-101
Expanded Reading and Learning Methods (Advanced Reading) (3)
36-103 The Essay (Advanced Writing) (3)
36-143 Advanced Lecture Comprehension and Notetaking (3)
36-153 Advanced Speaking (3)
36-163 Advanced Grammar Review (3)
36-173 Advanced Culture (3)
Special
Features of the ESL Program and Lewis University
The
Lewis University ESL Program normally offers two sessions per
year. Classes during the Fall and Spring semesters meet for 16
weeks each. Intensive ESL courses are offered in the Summer when
there is a need to do so.
To
ensure individual attention for each student, class size is small,
with 6 - 12 students enrolled in each course. All ESL classes
are taught by experienced professional faculty with advanced degrees.
Students
have access to several computer labs on campus with full internet
capability. Each student receives an email account. Students may
also use the Lewis Library, with 165,000 volumes. ESL students
have all the privileges of other Lewis University students. For
instance, Lewis has a new Student Fitness and Recreation Center,
which is free to enrolled Lewis ESL students, with indoor pool,
track, exercise areas and weight rooms, and basketball / tennis
/ volleyball courts. All enrolled Lewis ESL students have free
admission to theater, choral, and musical performances, lecture
and movie series, special presentations, and athletic events.
Advice
on immigration and residence matters is available from our Office
of International Student Services. Students may join the Lewis
International Students Association, which assists students in
daily life, shopping, and travel. It also hosts group trips and
the Annual Lewis International Festival (speakers, performances,
and food fest). Each year the President of the University, Br.
James Gaffney, hosts a Thanksgiving dinner in the Fall semester
and an Easter dinner in the Spring semester for international
students.
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