Learning English

ELS Language Centers

Learning English

Nearly 100,000 students come to the United States to study English each year. Many come to prepare themselves to enter colleges and universities in the United States; others come to learn English while experiencing American life; still others come to improve their English, to qualify for a better job at home. Whatever their reasons, they come to learn, have an interesting cross-cultural experience, meet people from around the world, and have fun. Whatever your reason for coming to study English in the United States of America, it is important that you choose the right school for you.

Here are some things to consider as you make this important decision:

College and University Programs

Many U.S. colleges and universities offer full-time intensive English programs. An intensive English program must meet a minimum of 18 hours per week for students to qualify for a student visa. Most intensive programs provide 20–25 hours per week of classroom instruction. Students usually enter these programs at the beginning of the academic semester (term or quarter).

One advantage of these programs is that often English students live on campus and have full use of the college or university library, the recreation and sports areas, and other facilities. They can practice English with the university students they meet in their dorms and cafeterias.

In some schools, students in advanced levels of the English program may be permitted to take a few university courses while they are completing their language study. Another advantage of taking university-based ESL classes is that students on F-1 visas may work on campus up to 20 hours per week. Intensive English programs usually are not part of the college or university’s academic degree program. Students enrolled in the ESL institutes are not necessarily admitted to that college or university, and while some universities give academic credit which may count toward a degree, most colleges do not. Public colleges and universities and community colleges often cost less than private universities and colleges.

Proprietary English Language Programs

Some private English language schools also prepare students to enter U.S. colleges and universities. Many of these private schools are located on or near a college or university campus. Others are located in a downtown office building, hotel, or separate school building. Some schools provide housing; others do not.

At private schools, schedules may be more flexible than at many colleges and universities. New sessions may begin every few weeks. This can be an advantage to those students who are interested in short-term study, for example, a two- or three-week program. At some private ESL institutes, advanced-level students may take one or two academic courses at nearby colleges or universities. Proprietary schools also offer vacation ESL programs in which students learn English while traveling to interesting places or participating in activities such as skiing.

How Should I Choose An English Language School?

Here are some things to consider as you choose the right program for you:

Think about what kind of program you want to attend. Do you want a serious academic program or a casual vacation program? Do you really want to learn English, or do you want to experience American culture and have a vacation?
Think about how much money you can spend on tuition, room, meals, activities, books, etc.
Where do you want to go to school? In a large city, small town, in a suburb, near relatives, in a particular part of the country? Is the weather important to you? The U.S.A. is a big country with very different temperatures.
Make sure you know how many hours per week you will study in class.
Find out if the teachers are professionally trained and experienced language instructors. Do they have a master’s degree (MATESOL) or a master’s degree in a related field?
What is the average class size? Ideally, classes range between 10-15 students.
What kind of program is it? Is it a serious, academically-oriented program which prepares students to enter a U.S. college or university? Is it an English Language and vacation school with emphasis on travel and cultural experiences? Is it a specialized program offering English for business or English for engineering? Does it offer TOEFL preparation? Make sure it has what you want.
What are the dates when the program is offered? Do these dates match your schedule?
What living accommodations does the program provide? Does the program make all housing arrangements for you, or will they help you find housing? Where will you live? In a dormitory with Americans? In a homestay with a family? In a hotel? In an apartment? How far is your housing from the school?
What transportation will you take to the school? How much will it cost, and how long is the commute?
What arrangements are there for meals, and how much will they cost?
What services will the school provide—airport pickup, foreign student advisors, orientation, banking, health care, counseling?
What extra-curricular activities are there? Are there clubs or sport teams to join? Is there an exercise room, swimming pool, tennis courts, etc.? Are these important to you?
What is the environment? Is it a large or small school? What is the size/population of the campus?
Does the school help students apply to colleges and universities to study? Does it permit advanced level students to take classes at the university or a nearby college?
Is the school accredited? Many college and university ESL programs are accredited through their university or college. Private ESL programs may seek accreditation through special accrediting bodies.

Accreditation and Professional Organizations

In addition to the regional accrediting agencies, there are two other accrediting bodies:

The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialized agency for the accreditation of English language programs and institutions in the United States. Accreditation by CEA means that an English language program has met the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. You can find a list of the specific standards, as well as a list of schools accredited by CEA, at its website: www.cea_accredit.org.

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) “ACCET accredits institutions providing non-collegiate continuing education and training programs…” For information about ACCET, go to: www.accet.org.

There are also two important intensive English language program organizations which have established high membership standards; however, they do not accredit schools.

Intensive English language programs administered by accredited colleges and universities may apply for membership to the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). Only after passing a rigorous self-study and on-site visit can a school become a member. UCIEP conferences, workshops and regular program evaluations by the organizations help schools adhere to the highest college and university standards. For a list of schools that have met UCIEP’s high standards, go to: www.uciep.org.

Another organization that screens its members and requires them to uphold its high standards is the American Association of Intensive English Programs (AAIEP). This organization was established to set standards for intensive English programs. College, university, and proprietary schools make up its membership. While AAIEP does not accredit programs, its members agree to follow standards of excellence established by the organization. For a list of schools that have met the standards and been accepted as members of AAIEP, go to: www.aaiep.org.

Finding the Right Program for You

It is important to do your “homework” before choosing a school. That means thinking about the above questions, so you know what is important to you. As you look for a school, look at the schools listed in this copy of Study in the U.S.A., and visit schools’ websites. Some are in several languages. E-mail your questions to the schools directly. Go to your local educational advising center. They have many resources to help you identify schools of potential interest. Visit the UCIEP and AAIEP web sites listed above. They list pertinent information about all their members, including costs.

You are embarking on an exciting and rewarding adventure. Choose carefully, and you will have a wonderful, rewarding experience. I know I speak for all IEP directors when I say we look forward to welcoming you to the United States of America.

by Rhona Genzel, Director of the English Language Center at Rochester Institute of Technology, former President of AAIEP, and author of four ESL books. Her address is rbgelc@rit.edu.

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