About the Intensive English Program
The English Language Institute (ELI) offers full-time and part-time intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction. Full-time students attend classes 18-20 hours a week.
At the two Beginning levels (095 and 096), students learn speaking, listening, reading and writing, and grammar in an integrated skills environment. They engage in conversations, read for everyday purposes, and write sentences and brief, descriptive paragraphs.
The three Intermediate levels (097, 098, and 099) address both social and academic uses of English. Students learn to communicate in the classroom and in the community while developing reading and listening strategies, increasing vocabulary, developing grammatical knowledge, and learning about life in the United States. They participate in social conversations and college-level classroom discussions, read popular and academic materials, give oral presentations, and write personal and academic essays.
The advanced level (100) is for students who are preparing to attend colleges in the U.S. Students learn to write essays, listen to and engage in formal and informal conversations on academic content, read academic content critically, and give oral presentations. Students taking advanced level courses may receive undergraduate University credit. Students at this level may also be eligible to pay for and take an Arcadia course in their fields of study at the University credit-hour rate.
At all levels, language workshops (090C) are available to full-time students. These elective sessions vary by semester and provide more focused practice in such skills areas as pronunciation, grammar, reading and study skills, idioms and vocabulary, TOEFL preparation, business English, or other language-related topics of student interest.
Outside the classroom environment, students also have numerous opportunities to practice English and experience the culture through the Conversation Partners Program and through trips and social activities sponsored by the ELI.
Conditional Admissions Program
Students who apply to other departmental programs at Arcadia University with TOEFL scores below University standards for admissions (undergraduate: 71 iBT; graduate: 80 iBT) may be required to successfully complete classes within the intensive English program before taking classes at the university. Students who successfully complete the program with passing grades and who pass a final qualifying examination are then eligible for full admissions to Arcadia University.
Bridge Programs
Students who are planning to apply to graduate and undergraduate programs (Bridge 1) or who have already been admitted into such programs (Bridge 2) may require continued English language support. These students take one or two classes at the ELI that focus on specific academic language skills such as academic writing, oral presentations, or academic reading.
Special Programs
The ELI offers specially designed, short-term programs (usually in the summer) that are tailored to specific student needs and interests. Local or overseas institutions, companies, and organizations that have an agreement with Arcadia University usually sponsor these students.
Admissions to the ELI
Applications are accepted at all times of the year. Semester courses begin in August, January, May, and July. Availability of specific courses is based upon demand. Students must be 17 or older to study at the English Language Institute.
Semesters
Fall Semester (15 weeks): August-December
Spring Semester (15 weeks): January-May
Summer Semester A (6 weeks): May-June
Summer Semester B (6 weeks) July-August
Expenses
2015-16 Tuition—Full-time Intensive English Program tuition is $5,250 for the Fall (August-December), $5250 for the Spring (January-May), $2,625 for Summer one (May-June), and $2,625 for summer two (July-August).
University Fee: $330 per semester (Fall and Spring only)
Housing Accommodations—If needed, on-campus housing in residence halls ranges from $3,800 to $5,500 per one 15-week semester (Fall or Spring) per person and $1,470 to $1530 for one six-week summer semester (Summer One or Summer Two) per person. The 15-week semester room rate for University owned apartments ranges from $5000 to $6500 per person.
Food–Campus meal plans at the Dining Hall are available, if desired, and costs range from $1180 to $1870 per 15-week semester, depending on the chosen plan.
Health Insurance—Arcadia University policy requires that each full-time student provide evidence of some form of health and hospitalization insurance coverage to supplement the medical care provided by the University’s Student Health Service. This coverage may be in the form of an individual policy already in effect, or inclusion in a family policy. University health insurance is available for purchase, with varying premium rates.
Parking—If needed, $30 per semester.
Textbooks—approximately $180-$200 per semester
Placement Testing
Students take three short placement tests when they first arrive on campus to ensure that they are placed in classes appropriate to their proficiency level at that time. These placement tests include a standardized multiple-choice test (with a Reading section, a Grammar section, and a Listening section), a Test of Written English, and an oral interview.
Level Advancement
At the beginning and intermediate levels (levels 95-98), students must receive an average grade of C (73%) or higher for all ELI courses (with no individual course grade less than a C- or 70%) to advance to the next level.
Additionally, level 99 and level 100 students who receive an average grade of C (73%) or higher for all ELI courses (with no individual course grade less than a C- or 70%) AND who pass a qualifying examination will advance to the next level or complete the intensive program, depending on their qualifying scores.
If a student does not meet the criteria for level advancement or program completion, he or she may take the same class one more time at the maximum.
Intensive English Course Descriptions
At the beginning and intermediate levels (096-099), students take a set of three integrated skills-courses as part of the core curriculum. These three courses include the following: Writing and Reading; Speaking and Listening; and English Grammar.
Students at the advanced level (level 100) may take the following integrated skills courses that address academic content areas.
ESL 090C Culture & Communication
This course focuses on formal and informal conversation in various social settings. The class addresses how people use language to communicate clearly and effectively with others. Class topics include communicative functions such as apologizing, requesting, and agreeing/disagreeing in social context as well as the use of communicative strategies to make oneself understood by others.
ESL 101 Advanced English: Academic Reading and Writing
This course is for students who are preparing to study at the university level. The course emphasizes reading strategies, vocabulary development, and writing reports and academic essays using source materials. Students have the opportunity to take a selected Arcadia University course with tutorial support.
ESL 102 Advanced Oral Communication
This course focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills used in academic settings. Students learn to take notes from lectures, use English to solve problems and work in groups, give oral presentations, and communicate effectively on campus.
ESL 103 Advanced Academic Writing
This course focuses on students writing various types of essays for academic purposes. Class topics include essay organization and development, coherence in writing, and the accurate use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
ESL 104 Advanced Academic Reading
This course prepares students to read academic texts more effectively and to discuss them with others in a university classroom. Class topics include effective note-taking, summarizing skills, responding critically, and posing/addressing discussion questions.
Bridge Course Descriptions
Undergraduate Bridge:
ESL 102 , ESL 103 , and ESL 104 can serve as bridge courses for undergraduate students, depending on their individual language learning needs.
Graduate Bridge:
ID 561 International Graduate Student Seminar
ID 561 is a required course for incoming international graduate students who do not have a previous degree from a U.S. university. This class focuses on tasks and skills required in university and professional settings: working in groups, giving presentations, participating in class discussion, taking notes from lectures, and writing academic reports and essays. Students must pass the course with a B- (80%) or higher.
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