English Language and Writing Support

 

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Program Goals

The English Language and Writing Support (ELWS) program supports multilingual students in academic English language acquisition. This English language pathway program serves international students who must meet the College's English language admission. As well, the program supports any multilingual student who would benefit from courses taught by instructors equipped to work with multilingual students' needs. Through this program, multilingual students have the opportunity to improve their English ability through coursework and through individualized mentoring.  The courses emphasize academic reading, writing, and communication, as well as culture, grammar, academic vocabulary, and academic disciplines.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Read and write about academic texts, including summarizing, quoting sources, and analyzing texts
• Read academic English with improved fluency and comprehension
• Communicate within the American classroom context, including participating in discussion and formal presentations
• Manage expectations of the American college classroom, including LMS, assignments, and time management

Students must meet the college-wide graduation requirements in addition to the English Language and Writing Support program:

• 124 total hours
• 30 upper division hours
• WCore or Honors College requirements

Objectives

Students enrolled in the English Language and Writing Support pathway program will matriculate into an undergraduate degree-seeking program at Westminster at the completion of the program. Students have two semesters to complete the program.

Admission Criteria

Multilingual international students who meet all Westminster College admissions requirements except for the English language admission requirement may be conditionally accepted to the College through the English Language and Writing Support program. The program has two levels: Bridge 1 and Bridge 2.

Bridge Level 1 (Fall or Spring admission)

Students must demonstrate an intermediate level in English with a standardized test score. Bridge Level 1 students must meet one of the following scores for admission:

• TOEFL ibt 55-65
• IELTS 5.5
• No subset score below 12 (TOEFL ibt) or 5.0 (IELTS)

Bridge Level 2 (Fall or Spring admission)

Students must demonstrate an advanced-intermediate level in English with a standardized test score. Bridge Level 2 students must meet one of the following scores for admission:

• TOEFL ibt 66-78
• IELTS 6.0
• No subset score below 12 (TOEFL ibt) or 5.0 (IELTS)

Criterion for Full Undergraduate Admission into Westminster College

Bridge Level 1

Bridge Level 1 students must meet the following requirements for full admission to Westminster College:

• Receive a cumulative GPA of 2.5 by the end of 2 full-time semesters
• Receive a recommendation from the ELWS director
• Score the equivalent of a TOEFL ibt 79 on a standardized test

Bridge Level 1 students who do not meet the minimum language and academic proficiency requirements after 2 semesters are unable to matriculate at Westminster College.

Bridge Level 2

Bridge Level 2 students must do ALL of the following for full admission to Westminster College:

• Receive a cumulative GPA of 2.5 by the end of 2 full-time semesters
• Receive a recommendation from the ELWS director
• Score the equivalent of a TOEFL ibt 79 on a standardized test

Bridge Level 2 students who do not meet the minimum language and academic proficiency requirements after 2 semesters are unable to matriculate at Westminster College.

Courses: Bridge 1

Recommended Plan of Study for Bridge 1

Courses: Bridge 2

Recommended Plan of Study for Bridge 2