Intensive English Program
Purpose of the ESL Program
The Intensive English Program at SMCC is intended to prepare students for college degree programs and to allow qualified students to earn college credit while learning English as a Second Language. Classes are designed to reinforce and build on one another and our wide range of support services will help you achieve your goals.
Admission
An applicant for admissions to the Intensive English Program must provide evidence of at least intermediate command of English by way of one or more of the following criteria:
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At least six years of English language instruction as shown by the applicant’s school transcript(s).
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A minimum TOEFL score of 400 on the traditional TOEFL or 97 on the computer-based test.
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An original letter of recommendation from a teacher, school principal, or the director of an English language institute attesting to the applicant’s proficiency at the intermediate level
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Other credentials, test scores, interview results, or evidence accepted by the coordinator of the intensive English program or the college’s responsible designee.
Students admitted to the ESL Program will not be allowed to enroll in courses outside those officially designated as part of the program unless and until they have met all of the prerequisites or other course requirements.
Program Features
Experienced faculty with advanced degrees provide instruction for four levels of ESL courses. Our class size is small to ensure attention to the student, and free tutoring and other academic support services are available.
Courses
Listing of Courses
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ESL011 ESL I: Listening & Speaking
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ESL021 ESL II: Listening & Speaking
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ESL031 ESL III: Listening & Speaking
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ESL041 ESL IV: Listening & Speaking
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ESL042 ESL IV: Writing with Oral Practice
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ESL051 Pronunciation Improvement ESL Speakers
Fast Facts
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The average composite literacy score of native-born adults in the U.S. was 284 (Level 3); the U.S. ranked 10th out of 17 high-income countries.
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The average composite literacy score of foreign-born adults in the U.S. was 210 (Level 1); the U.S. ranked 16th out of 17 countries.
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14.0% of the native-born population were at Level 1, compared to 63.7% of the second-language foreign born.
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27.3% were at Level 2, compared to 17.0% of the second-language foreign born.
35.0% were at Level 3, compared to 13.5% of the second-language foreign born.
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23.7% were at Level 4/5, compared to 5.9% (unreliable) of the second-language foreign born.
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In 2000, 28.4 million foreign-born people resided in the United States, representing 10.4% of the total U.S. population. Among the foreign born in 2000:
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51.0% were born in Latin America.
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25.5% were born in Asia.
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15.3% were born in Europe.
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8.1% were born in other regions of the world.
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In 2000, the Current Population Survey reported the following educational attainment levels of the foreign-born population, as compared to the native population:
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33.0% of the foreign-born population were not high school graduates, compared to 13.4% of the native population.
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25.0% were high school graduates, compared to 34.3% of the native population.
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16.2% had some college education (less than a bachelor's degree), compared to 26.7% of the native population.
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25.8% had a bachelor's degree or more, compared to 25.6% of the native population.
(Sources: National Institute for Literacy)