ESL Certificate

What is the Certificate in English as a Second Language at MTC?

The Certificate in ESL at MTC is a program of courses leading to a certificate. Students who complete the Certificate will be prepared for entry-level college courses or for work that requires English competency at that level. The requirements of the certificate include credit-level ESL courses that are the equivalent of credit-level reading (RDG) and English (ENG) courses, as well as a pronunciation course and some elective courses (the electives are all courses that can be used in other certificates and degrees). The certificate requires that students take 18 hours of credit courses, but students may need additional ESL courses to prepare them for the courses in the certificate.

Can students take ESL courses without being enrolled in the ESL certificate program?

Yes. The ESL courses are open to students in any program.

Why should students enroll in the Certificate in ESL?

The certificate program benefits students in several ways. Students who enroll in this program are admitted on the basis of scores on the COMPASS/ESL instead of the regular COMPASS. Some students who need ESL courses may not be able to make the required scores on the regular COMPASS, but can make the required scores on the COMPASS/ESL because that test is geared to their needs. Also, completion of the certificate might be useful when looking for jobs.

Can students begin to learn English in the ESL Certificate program?

At this time, Midlands Technical College does not offer beginning classes in ESL. Students must be at least intermediate learners. For beginning students who do not know any English, classes are available at Community, Church. and Adult Education schools.

What is the curriculum for the certificate?

CURRICULUM
	Level 1 ESL	Level 2 ESL	Additional courses	Approved elective
	(pre-certificate) Required entry-level skills; must pass course or place out by examination	Three required courses in ESL	Two courses: one in advanced communication and one in culture	One course selected from list below
Reading	ESL 037	ESL 100 (=RDG 100--pre-certificate)	ESL 150 or ENG 101 or SPC 209 or SPC 205	GEO 101 PHI 115 HIS 202 CPT 101 or CPT 170 CPT 168 OST 105
Writing	ESL 038	ESL 110 (=ENG 100)
Speaking and Listening	ESL 036	ESL 103
Cultural			ESL 105 or COL 105 or SOC 101

DESCRIPTIONS OF ESL COURSES
(All courses are 3 credits)

ESL 036: ESL Speaking & Listening

ESL 036 prepares students with ESL needs to speak English in a variety of everyday, academic, and professional settings. Speaking and listening activities also develop students’ skills in listening comprehension and note-taking in English. (Prerequisite: Placement by interview)

ESL 037 ESL Reading

ESL 036 prepares students with ESL needs to English for more advanced courses in basic English skills and for everyday reading on the job and in the community, such as newspapers, job forms, directions, and short essays. Reading assignments develop themes in contemporary American society, with an emphasis on education and business. (Prerequisite: Placement by exam)

ESL 038 ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE: Composition and Grammar

ESL 037 prepares students with ESL needs in English grammar and writing for advanced intermediate courses in basic English skills. Writing assignments develop themes in contemporary American society, with an emphasis on education and business. (Prerequisite: Placement by exam)

ESL 100 READING IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

This course covers the application of basic reading skills to improve critical comprehension, higher order thinking skills, and standard academic vocabulary for students who are taking English as a Second Language. (Prerequisite: ESL 037 or placement by exam.)

ESL 103 SPOKEN AMERICAN ENGLISH

This course is a study of issues in American English pronunciation, including stress, intonation, and phonetic patterns, with an emphasis on applying these principles to produce clear and comprehensible English. (Prerequisite: ESL 036 or placement by interview or examination)

ESL 105 COLLEGE CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES

This course explores the purposes of higher education and provides a general orientation to the functions and resources of the college in the United States. Designed to help second-language students adjust to the college community, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. (Prerequisite: ESL 037 or placement by exam)

ESL 110 INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION FOR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

This course is a study of basic writing, different modes of composition, and English grammar and usage for students who are studying English as a Second Language. (Pre-requisite: ESL 037 and ESL 038 or placement by exam)

ESL 150 COMMUNICATION FOR COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS

This course develops reading and writing skills, with emphasis on aspects of technical and business English that are difficult for non-native speakers of English. Students apply principles of clear technical communication to realistic reading and writing situations at work and in the community. (Prerequisite: ESL 037 and ESL 038 or placement by exam)