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ESL Program

Mission Statement 

The ESL program at BHU was built to serve the international student community. The program focuses on the development of the English language skills, preparing our international students for Undergraduate and Graduate programs in the United States. It aims to offer classes that explore academic, professional, and life skills. Through a creative curriculum that understands the needs of international students, the ESL Program at BHU achieves its mission by assessing students’ learning outcomes and cultural understanding, as well as teacher’s performance. Within this framework, the ESL program at BHU believes that its mission encounters BHU’s main mission, which is developing relevant Christian leaders for Ministry and Marketplace.

ESL Program Objectives

  1. To prepare international students to develop their English language skills by providing a creative curriculum focused on academic, professional and life skills.
  2. To empower international students to become global learners and leaders, by adding different cultural experiences in their learning.
  3. To assist international students with academic ESL needs.
  4. To foster the integration of ESL students in the BHU community as well as in initiatives that welcome international students.

ESL Bridge Program Objectives

  1. To support and prepare ESL students  for their entrance into Undergraduate programs at BHU.

ESL Admissions

International Applicants must submit the following items to the Office of Admissions in order to be considered for admission into the English as a Second Language Program:

  1. ESL Application
  2. Reference Form
  3. Affidavit of Financial Support and 3 months bank statements
  4. Health Record Form
  5. Visa/Passport
  6. International Tuition Deposit
  7. Processing of the Form I-20
  8. F1 visa or status

All applicants will be required to take a placement exam following application completion to determine the adequate level of English.

F1 Students

F1 students are international students that are considering study in the USA. F1 students can apply for a student visa in their country of origin or require a change of their status to F1 student in the USA. F1 students are required to attend 18 hours of classes weekly during Fall and Spring terms and 25 hours weekly during Summer terms.

  • Fall Term: 14 weeks
  • Spring Term: 14 weeks
  • Summer Term: 10 weeks

F2 Students

F2 Students (F1 dependents) are allowed to study only part-time per SEVP policies, 9 hours weekly during Fall and Spring terms, and 12.5 hours weekly during Summer term.

Non-Native Students

Non-native students that are not F1 students and are interested in the ESL program can opt to study full-time or part-time.

Please refer to the International Student Admission and International Student Affairs section in this catalog for more detailed information on international students admissions and policies.

ESL Tuition and Fees

ESL Standard Program

ESL Standard Program Cost
Full-time Student $2,490.00 per term
Part-time Student $1,245.00 per term

ESL Bridge Program

ESL Bridge Program Cost
Full-time Student (Only Option) $3,090.00

ESL Vacation

ESL students are allowed to take Summer vacation if students have completed 2 semesters of studies at BHU. In addition, ESL students have breaks of 2 to 3 weeks between semesters, depending on the year calendar.

Cancellations, Withdrawals and Refunds

The ESL Program follows the policies established in the Undergraduate and Graduate BHU School.

ESL Attendance

ESL Students are allowed to have 12 absences for Spring and Fall terms: 6 absences for Speaking and Listening classes and 6 absences for Reading and Writing classes. As for Summer classes, students are allowed to have 6 absences: 3 absences for Speaking and Listening classes and 3 absences for Reading and Writing classes.

Tardiness also counts toward your absence allowance. 3 tardies equal 1 absence; therefore, students should pay attention not only to their absences but also late arrivals to class or early departures from class.

Medical records will not justify absences. In the case of a student becoming unable to attend classes due to a medical emergency, the student or student’s proxy must get in contact with the ESL Program Director and Registrar’s Office.

Term Attendance Allowance Classes
Spring 12 absences 6 (R/W)1 6 (S/L)2
Fall 12 absences 6 (R/W)1 6 (S/L)2
Summer 6 absences 3 (R/W)1 3 (S/L)2
1

(R/W) Reading and Writing Class

2

(S/L) Speaking/Listening

Course Grading Information

Grade Scale
A+ 98-100
A 94-97
A- 90-93
B+ 88-89
B 84-87
B- 80-83
C+ 78-79
C 74-77
C- 70-73
D+ 68-69
D 64-67
D- 60-63
F Below 60
WP 0 (Withdrawal Passing)
WF 0 (Withdrawal Failing – Punitive)

Requirements to Advance Levels

ESL Students must achieve a letter of C (74 – 77 Scale) to advance levels. ESL Students are allowed to repeat levels only once. Academic special cases should be discussed with the ESL Program Coordinator and ESL Instructors.

The requirement to advance levels is also used for students who are in the last level of the ESL program (C2 -Level 5) to become eligible for the Undergraduate or Graduate Programs.

Requirement to Change Educational Level

If the ESL student wishes to change their educational level but did not complete the ESL Program all the way to Level 5 - C2, ESL students are required to do a proficiency test, the Oxford English Testing.

The level of proficiency needed for the Undergraduate program is Level 4 - C1 and the level of proficiency needed for the Graduate program is Level 5 - C2.

Important: Full acceptance in the Undergraduate and Graduate Program is granted upon analyses of other documents as well (Please refer to the Admissions Office in this catalog for more information)

Certificate of Completion

Upon the completion of the ESL Program at BHU, the ESL student will receive a Certificate of Completion. The ESL student is required to complete the Level 5 to be eligible for the certificate.

ESL 

Structure of the Program  

The ESL program is composed of 6 levels, going from the Introductory to the Advanced stages of the English language.

Our curriculum is organized around two standards for Language Acquisition Programs which are: AIR, The American Institute for Research – English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education and CEFR, The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Below you can find more details about each level in our ESL Program, Levels 0, 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 refers to AIR standards and Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 to C2 refers to CEFR standards

Level 0 – A1

It’s designed to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. The goal is for students to introduce him/herself and others and to ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Students should be able to interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. (CEF, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

Level 1 – A2

It’s designed to understand sentences and frequently use expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). The goal is for the student to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Students should be able to describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need. (CEF, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

Level 2 – B1

It’s designed to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. The goal is for students to deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Students should be able to produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest as well as to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. (CEF, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

Level 3 – B2

It’s designed for students to understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. The goal is for students to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Students should be able to produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. (CEFR, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

Level 4 – C1

It’s designed for students to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. The goal is for students to express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Students should be able to use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes as well as to produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. (CEFR, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

Level 5 – C2

It’s designed for students to understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. The goal is for students to summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Students should be able to express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations. (CEFR, 2001, p.24. retrieved from: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97). In addition, critical thinking strategies and academic-related activities are implemented, as this course uses Stand Out series, an ESL standard six series for Adult Education, providing students with the foundations and tools needed to achieve success in life, college and career.

ESL Bridge 

Structure of the Program

The ESL Bridge program is a one semester course that offers preparation and support to ESL students that desire to advance to college level courses at BHU. ESL students that complete the ESL Program, can take an extra semester by enrolling in the ESL Bridge course.

Duration: 14 weeks
Classes: Monday through Thursday, from 6pm to 10:30pm

Curriculum Scope
  • Higher Education in the US
  • Planning your life for Higher Education in the US
  • Vocabulary and Strategies of Effective Communication I
  • Reading in Higher Education
  • Taking Notes in Higher Education
  • The online world in Higher Education (and Brightspace)
  • Vocabulary and Strategies of Effective Communication II
  • APA Style
  • Academic Writing 1 (Intro)
  • Academic Writing 2 (Body)
  • Academic Writing 3 (Conclusion)
  • Academic Writing Essay
  • Being a Leader as a Student and at BHU
  • Self – Assessment

ESL Bridge Program Admissions

Please refer to the ESL Program Admissions