ESL Program: Overview

Target Population

The ESL Program at UAH serves students who are nonnative speakers of English and are enrolled in non-degree as well as undergraduate and graduate programs at the university. The ESL program provides courses in oral and written academic discourse. The courses focus on both receptive and productive skills and are grounded in current communicative methodologies with an acknowledgement of the importance of contextualized language learning. In addition, the content and goals of the courses reflect the specific needs of the students served: classroom discourse, the pragmatics of an English-medium university in the U.S., and specific academic tasks appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate populations.

Admission

Admission to the program is open to students at UAH, whether in non-degree, undergraduate or graduate programs. Eligibility for ESL v. IEP is determined by the following: overall language skills as indicated by current TOEFL scores. If a student has achieved the TOEFL scores necessary for admission to UAH, they are eligible to take ESL classes. If the student has not yet achieved the TOEFL scores necessary for admission to UAH, they are eligible to participate in the IEP.


      
   

Registration

 

Class Descriptions

 

Diagnostics

Program Completion

 		  
 
 
 

The TOEFL scores necessary for admission to most programs at UAH are as follow. Students in the ESL program will have TOEFL scores above the scores listed below.

  • Paper-based TOEFL (PBT): 500+

  • Computer-based TOEFL (CBT): 173+

  • Internet-based TOEFL (iBT): 62, with the following minimums in each subsection (Reading, 15; Listening, 16; Speaking, 18; Writing, 13

Placement

Nonnative speakers of English who have been admitted to the university are required to register for the English Language Placement Test (ELPT). The ELPT is an in-house placement test and assesses the current language skills of incoming students who are nonnative speakers of English. All students who are nonnative speakers of English, including those who may be transferring hours in from other institutions, must register for the ELPT. In some cases, exemptions from part or all of the placement test may be given. However, these exemptions are made in accordance with university policy. Therefore, students should plan to register for the placement test and may receive notification of waivers as appropriate. Based on their performance, considered in conjunction with TOEFL and other standardized scores, students may be placed in one or more ESL courses. For more information regarding testing and placement in the ESL program, follow the relevant links under ELPT above.

Fulfillment of ESL requirement

University policy mandates that students begin fulfilling their ESL requirements in their first semester. Students must complete any required ESL courses prior to graduation. The ESL program comprises five courses, ranging from low intermediate to advanced levels, in oral/aural and written academic discourse. Each course carries 3 hours of credit and counts towards full-time status in terms of SEVIS regulations. Courses can be taken in combination; however, certain restrictions do apply. In addition, beginning in Spring 2008, a language sample is assessed on the first day of class every semester. The purpose of the sample is to identify unique challenges faced by the population of each class. No changes in ESL requirements will be made on the basis of these samples.

Any and all questions about placements should be addressed to the director of ESL at esl@uah.edu. For more information about registration, courses and program completion, follow the relevant links in the navigation bar to the top right.