Teachers Council

	International Students
		Overview
		Program Detail
		English Study
		Bachelor Degree
		Graduate Degree
		Admission

English Language Program

There are hundreds of English language (ESL) programs to choose from. To select the "right" program, you should do a careful search based on criteria that are important to you. You should start this process approximately six months prior to the time that you wish to enter the program.

How to Choose
There are many factors that might be important to you as you search for the "right" program. Here are a few things that you might want to think about:

Location

University course or private language school

Size of the school and classes

Cost of program and living expenses

Availability of Housing
Location can mean where it is in the United States but it can also mean what kind of environment (small town, suburb or city) the school is located in. Location can also affect things like weather, the availability of public transportation and the cost of living. Other important factors might be the availability of housing, access to international student services, and the size of the classes. You should have some assurance before you leave for the U.S. that you have a place to live when you arrive.

Will you be living on-campus or off-campus?
Will you be in an apartment or a dormitory?
How close will your residence be to the grocery store, and where will you do your laundry?

It is recommended that you come up with a list of 5-10 ESL programs that seem to match your needs.

Making the Choice

As part of the application process to a U.S. college, university or ESL program, you must show verification of financial support for at least the first year. This amount varies from school to school and also depends on how long you plan to study. Please keep in mind that most schools do not offer financial assistance to students studying intensive English.

Students take English in the US for a variety of reasons, including personal enrichment, continuing their education at an English-speaking institution, or advancing their careers.

Immersion is the best way to learn any language, especially English. American English is filled with idioms and jargon, more so than other languages. You won't be able to learn all the peculiar turns of phrase until you try living the language. If you have a choice between a casual English class and an intensive English class, enroll in the latter. Many colleges offer on-campus intensive English training, sometimes during the summer and sometimes during the academic year.

Students entering the program are given a set of language assessment exams and then placed in groups with other students having similar English abilities. The program consists of four focused skill areas, or modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Immersion (the highest level). The first three modules focus on listening comprehension; reading and vocabulary development; and the fundamentals of writing. Students in the Immersion module synthesize all of the skills for in-depth practice in English. The program also provides TOEFL preparation and opportunities for students to learn more about American culture.