ESL Support Description
The Oakwood University English as a Second Language (ESL) support services combines curricular and co-curricular initiatives to offer language support for Oakwood students whose first language is not English. The primary goal of the ESL support services is to prepare students to effectively communicate in written and spoken English in a variety of academic and professional settings. The services will also provide students with vital cultural and historical information about Alabama and the southern region of the United States. To this end, the ESL support services includes personnel and infrastructure, coursework, advising, academic support, and excursions to sites of cultural and historical significance.
The Oakwood University ESL support services provides ESL courses in grammar, composition, listening and speaking, and reading comprehension at the beginning, low intermediate, high intermediate, and advanced levels. Courses in the ESL curriculum are listed among the offerings of the Department of English & Foreign Languages and carry an “EL” prefix. For ESL program courses, classroom instruction is supplemented by activities in the University’s Language Lab, a physical space currently located in Moran Hall.
Students who complete the ESL support curriculum will be proficient in the following student learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of structural elements of English grammar in written and oral communication
- Develop compositions with a stated thesis with concrete and specific support that explore the writer’s point of view, information, and assumptions
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the interpretation of written English texts by relating new information to prior knowledge, making predictions about the content of a text, and drawing inferences
- Develop academic speaking skills, including the abilities to express, summarize, synthesize, contrast, and debate ideas.
Admissions Standards:
If you did not attend a high school in English for four complete years, you will need to take an English language placement test before beginning classes at Oakwood University. Students with TOEFL scores under low intermediate level will be encouraged to enroll in EL courses upon admission to the University. To be admitted to the University during the academic year, international students from non-English-speaking countries must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 543 (paper-based test), 72 (Internet-based test), or the equivalent on other recognized international language proficiency exams (e.g., TSWE, IELTS). Students whose TOEFL scores fall in the range between 543-649 (paper-based test) or 72-100 (Internet-based test) are advised to matriculate in the University’s ESL program before beginning major coursework. To be competitive, international students from non-English speaking countries should submit a minimum TOEFL score of 650 (paper-based test), 101 (Internet-based test), or the equivalent on other recognized international language proficiency exams (e.g., TSWE, IELTS).
Exemption from EN 111
Students who successfully complete ESL 111 Low Intermediate Composition and/or EL 113 Low Intermediate Reading Comprehension & Critical Thought, and pass the CLEP exam in English, will fulfill the EN 111 Freshman Composition requirement
Testing Requirements
Once students are admitted to the University and are identified as under the low intermediate level in speaking and writing, they will be asked to sit for a language placement exam to further assess English language proficiency for placement in ESL courses.
| TOEFL | TOEFL Internet-Based Test | Duolingo | IELTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning | <459 | <42 | <80 | <5 |
| Low Intermediate | 460-542 | 42-71 | 80-105 | 5.5-6 |
| High Intermediate | 543-626 | 72-94 | 105-120 | 6.5 |
| Low Advanced | 627-649 | 95-100 | 125-130 | 7 |
| Exempt | 650+ | 101+ | 131+ | 7.5+ |
Exemption from EN 111
Students who successfully complete ESL 111 Low Intermediate Composition and/or EL 113 Low Intermediate Reading Comprehension & Critical Thought, and pass the CLEP exam in English, will fulfill the EN 111 Freshman Composition requirement
Attendance Policy
Attendance with punctuality is required at all classes and laboratory appointments. Absences are counted from the first official day of classes. If for any reason the total hours of absences are double the number of credit hours of the course per semester, credit may, at the discretion of the instructor, be forfeited and a grade of FA be recorded.
Authorized leaves of absence from campus do not excuse the student from required class work. The student must make arrangements with the teacher for every anticipated school trip and other authorized leaves at least 72 hours before the beginning of such anticipated schedules. All makeup work involving examinations and other class requirements must be made up within seven days after the absence occurs.
It is the responsibility of students to keep a record of their absences, to keep themselves informed of the requirements of the instructor, to take all examinations at the time prescribed by the instructor, and to turn in all assignments when they are due.
Program Completion
Students may progress to the next level in the ESL curriculum (e.g., intermediate low to intermediate high) in one of two ways: (1) by successfully completing the courses on the level before, or (2) by testing into the next level via TOEFL scores or University-administered English language placement tests. Students who successfully complete ESL 122 High Intermediate Composition and ESL 132 Advanced Composition will fulfill EN 111 Freshman Composition requirement. Students who successfully complete courses at the Low Advanced level will complete the ESL program and transition to the university’s general course offerings, with language support from the ESL program office as needed.
Grading Policy
For courses evaluated using the Pass/Fail grading scheme, “successful completion” means that a student completes the course with a grade of Pass. For courses evaluated using the letter grade scale, “successful completion” means that a student completes the course with a grade of “C” or above.
Grievance Policy
Any student who desires to express concern regarding perceived unfairness, grading methodology, cheating, or some other misunderstanding within or without the classroom is encouraged to confer first with the instructor of the class and, if deemed necessary, with the ESL program director. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily at the first two levels, the student should confer with the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education.