Studying English in the US

Learning American English can be an obstacle course filled with idioms, double meanings, phrases and jargon. The best way to truly grasp the language is through immersion - living in the US while studying English as a Second Language (ESL). In 2006 and 2007, over 100,000 students from other countries came to the US to study English. The top 10 originating countries were: South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, China, Brazil, Turkey, Thailand, Vietnam and France, in that order.

Types of ESL Programs

There are three different kinds of ESL courses that are commonly available in the US:

• Intensive English Programs (IEP) - Usually a couple weeks in duration, these classes are typically designed to prepare students for admission into colleges and universities. Class time can be 20-30 hours a week, and programs typically expect that students will not be taking courses in other academic subjects.
• Semi-intensive English Programs - Similar in structure to intensive ESL courses, these classes are usually taken in combination with academic courses in other subjects.
• Professional English Programs - Specifically for students who wish to learn English for career purposes, many private and some university ESL programs teach English for study and work in medicine, business, marketing, law, travel, public relations, engineering, architecture, education, computer science, hospitality and tourism, police academy, international relations, aviation, aerospace, science, and other specific fields. These programs may coordinate internships with local businesses.

Class Structure

Most ESL courses teach speaking, listening, reading and writing in English, and incorporate language labs, small group work and activities out of class.

While some ESL programs emphasize preparation for college-level study, others focus on preparing the student for assessment examinations such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) which measures an applicant's ability to read and write English. The Test of Spoken English (TSE) is sometimes used to assess proficiency in speaking English. These tests measure the proficiency of students' English, and are required by most universities and colleges for admission. They may even be required for some ESL courses.

There are usually different levels offered, from beginning English to advanced, and the specialized uses taught in professional English programs. The level at which a student enters (often determined by results of the TOEFL, TSE or other assessment tests) will determine how many terms or semesters he or she will need to complete.

Many students choose to study for and take the TOEFL in their home country as an affordable alternative to taking courses for it in the US. By doing this, they also get a sense of how much time and money it will take for them to complete their studies while they're in America.

Program Admission Requirements

Most schools that use a TOEFL exam to determine admission require a score of at least 500 (700 on the computer-based TOEFL). For fields that require a higher proficiency in English, such as literature or journalism, or for graduate students who are prospective teaching assistants, a score of 600 or better is usually required. Depending on a student's TOEFL score, he or she may be required to take a semi-intensive ESL course.

Choosing Program

More than 400 educational institutions in the US offer ESL programs. These vary in quality of curriculum, computer labs, libraries, classrooms, and faculty. The Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP) and the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP) are professional organizations that have established rigorous standards for quality, and it is important to ask if a program is in good standing with one or both of these organizations.

Teachers of ESL courses should have degrees in English as a second language (ESL) or applied linguistics, and those who are members of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), or Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), meet standards of good practice.

International exchange programs such as ASPECT also offer intensive English language courses.

In order to be authorized by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to issue government Form I-20 (which is used by prospective students to apply for a student visa), IEPs must offer a minimum of 18 classroom hours (or contact hours) per week, and be accredited according to requirements of the U.S. Department of Education.

Other considerations when looking for a suitable ESL program include:

• Geographic location (California has almost twice as many Intensive English Programs as any other state in the US)
• The program's association with an academic institution if not part of a university or college
• Available services to students for academic advising, housing, health, and social needs
• Expected costs of application, tuition deposits, tuition, fees, and other expenses including books, health insurance (which is required for anyone visiting the US on a student visa), meals and housing. (Financial aid opportunities for intensive ESL programs are rare.)

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