International Language Center

The English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) Program at Alliant offers a complete curriculum of English language courses for speakers of other languages. The ultimate objective of the program is to help students attain a mastery of English necessary for professional purposes or the successful completion of university undergraduate and graduate degrees. Courses in the program have been designed to develop skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking at five levels. The length of study varies according to entrance level, with students typically completing the English program within one year. A challenge system is in place whereby students who develop skills more quickly and who wish to accelerate their progress through the program, may test out of courses by demonstrating 80 percent mastery on the final examination.

Each competency level requires one semester of intensive study. Successful completion of a competency level requires a 75 percent overall mastery of coursework and the final examination.

Undergraduate students who come to Alliant from countries where English is not the first language are exempt from ESOL courses if they have a score of 550 or higher (213 computerbased) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). TESOL master’s and all doctoral students must have a TOEFL score of 575 (233 computer based) and a 5 or higher on the Test of Written English (TWE) in order to be exempt from ESOL. Students who have lower TOEFL scores or who have not taken the TOEFL are given the Alliant English Proficiency Examination.

The English Proficiency Examination is an admissions requirement for all international students who do not meet the TOEFL requirement listed above. The exam is taken only once prior to first-time registration and is offered on the San Diego campus. Check with the Academic Success Center for specific dates.

Based on test results, students are either assigned to one or more ESOL courses or allowed to begin their degree program immediately. On the English Proficiency Examination, reading, grammatical structure, writing, listening and speaking skills are evaluated separately so that students may place at different levels in different skills.

All ESOL courses are 3 units. A full-time ESOL course load is four classes per semester. A student who has less than a full ESOL course load may take a combination of ESOL and academic classes as follows:

3 ESL courses and 1 academic course
2 ESL courses and 2 academic courses
1 ESL course and 3 academic courses

International Language Education Center

English for speakers of other languages is offered through the International Language Education Center. In addition to ESOL, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, and other selected foreign languages will be taught.

ESOL Program
10455 Pomerado Road, (M-11)
San Diego, CA 92131, USA
Phone: (858) 635-4872
Fax: (858) 635-4690
E-mail: esl@alliant.edu