E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) Program at SUNY Plattsburgh - Placement

Placement

Your score on the TOEFL exam will determine whether you start your studies in the E.S.L. Bridge Program (E.B.P.) or in a regular academic program.  Please review our International Admissions Requirements page to compare your TOEFL score to our requirements for each level.

Shortly after you arrive you will take our placement exams to make sure that you register for the correct course level based on your current English skills in each of five areas:

• Writing
  
• Grammar
  
• Listening
  
• Conversational English
  
• Reading
  

Levels of Instruction

The E.B.P. offers two levels – Intermediate and Advanced.  Many students begin in the Intermediate level and then move up to the Advanced level after one semester of study.  Students who enter at the Advanced level usually complete the E.B.P. in one semester.

E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) Course Offerings

In American colleges,  full time students normally take 4 or more "courses" each semester.  Courses can earn varying number of credits depending on the amount of scheduled class hours each course requires.  Courses that earn 3 credit hours are the most common.

Intermediate Level Courses

Intermediate E.S.L. courses prepare you for university-level academic study and do not earn credit that you can apply toward your degree requirements.  These non-credit courses are identified by a course number that is below 100 (for example, “ESL 090”).  Depending on your test results, you may be placed in Advanced level E.S.L. courses in some areas and Intermediate level E.S.L. courses in others.

ESL090	Writing
ESL092	Grammar Editing
ESL094	Listening
ESL096	Conversational English
ESL098	Reading

Advanced Level Courses

A maximum of 9 credits can be applied toward degree requirements for completing Advanced level E.S.L. courses (numbered 100 and above).  Most Advanced level E.B.P. students take one or more regular academic courses at the same time as their E.S.L. courses.  Advanced level E.B.P. students can earn between 12 – 16 academic course credits in one semester.

ENG100	Writer's Workshop (E.S.L. Section; 4 credits)
ESL102	Advanced Grammar Editing
ESL104	Advanced Listening
ESL106	Advanced Conversational English
ESL107	Advanced Pronunciation
ESL108	Advanced Reading
ESL109	Advanced Vocabulary

More Information

A brief description of each E.S.L. course is available online in our course catalog. 

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

If you would like more information about the E.S.L. Bridge Program, please contact:

Dr. Steve Gras, Coordinator
Office: Learning Center, Feinberg 103
Phone: (518) 564-2262
E-mail: steven.gras@plattsburgh.edu