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English as a second language Transition program (ESL)
The English as a Second Language Transition Program at Tri-State University offers non-credit intensive English language courses to highly motivated international students whose native language is not English. The ESL program is designed to help equip students with the skills necessary to read, write, speak, and understand American English so they can successfully complete college-level courses. Financial aid is not available for students enrolled in the ESL. Applicants to the ESL apply for "conditional admission" to degree programs at the University. Students will be tested at the end of the first semester of the ESL program and may need to continue taking IEP (Intensive English Preparation) courses either full-time or part-time in combination with regular college courses as recommended by the Director of the ESL. Students who apply for "conditional admission" to a TSU degree program may begin their full-time degree program after successful completion of the ESL program. Program Highlights TSU's ESL Prgram offers highly individualized Intensive English Preparation courses each semester. All admitted students to the ESL have had some instruction in English and should have a basic familiarity with the English alphabet, writing system, and phonics, in addition to a vocabulary of at least a few hundred words. Due to the wide divergence of student skills, the ESL program provides instruction on two general levels: elementary and intermediate. Students are placed into the appropriate level based upon the results of a standardized English test given at the beginning of the program and at the end of each semester. Students knowing little English begin at the elementary level, with full-time placement in the ESL being the norm. The elementary courses (writing/grammar, reading/vocabulary, conversation) focus on language skills utilized in social settings. Once students have mastered the material at this level, they are placed into the intermediate classes. Students whose English entrance tests upon entering the ESL program reflect an intermediate level of proficiency with English or who have successfully completed the elementary level will be enrolled in intermediate writing/grammar and/or intermediate reading/vocabulary. Students at this level will be verbally fluent and, in some cases as determined by the Director of the ESL, capable of performing successfully in a part-time schedule of academic coursework, usually beginning with a math or science sequence (whichever is the student's strongest area). The intermediate coursework focuses on language skills utilized in classroom settings. Special Features of the ESL
Housing TSU is a residential campus community. Students enrolled in the ESL program must live on campus in university housing. Married student housing is not available. Students enrolled in the ESL must sign a Residence Hall Room and Board Contract, submit a Housing Information form, and pay a room damage deposit of $150 (U.S. Dollars). Students should plan on arriving and moving into campus housing the weekend prior to the start of the session.
Note: ESL students who are approved to take regular TSU college courses on a part-time basis while attending the ESL program will pay the part-time undergraduate student tuition fee of $695 per credit hour for the TSU course (in addition to the ESL tuition). Once a student has successfully completed the ESL program, regular TSU tuition and fees will be charged. To Apply Applications for Fall Semester 2008 consideration must be received no later than May 1, 2008 (no later than November 1, 2008 for the Spring Semester 2009). To be certain that ample time is provided for processing international student applications, your application and credentials must be completed 60 days prior to the beginning of the term.
Next steps after admission 1. "Conditionally" Admitted Students—(Admitted to a TSU degree program but require ESL proficiency). International Student Fee—$1,650 ($1,500 International Fee and $150 Housing Damage Deposit) You will be requested to submit a one-time fee of $1,500 (U.S. dollars) plus a $150 Housing Damage Deposit prior to the release of an I20 AB form. The International Student Fee will be used to cover expenses such as the process of documents, bedding/towel supplies, food during holiday breaks, transportation and miscellaneous items (over a four-year enrollment). Please note that TSU has no control over the approval of an F-1 Visa, which sometimes can result in the student's visa request being denied. Please click here to deposit $1,500 for the international fee and $150 for the housing deposit: for a total of $1,650. 2. Submit Forms—download the following forms, complete and mail to TSU: For further information regarding the ESL program, please contact: Carol Brown |
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