Mission Statement

The English to Speakers of Other Languages program at Georgia Christian University provides students with the language skills they need to accomplish their goals. These goals may include:
   - Studying for a degree in an English-speaking university
   -Improving job skills or job prospects
   -Making life easier in the English speaking world

Consequently, we offer courses in both academic and non-academic English and cover reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Program Overview

We have two Session in ESOL. Morning classes in ESOL will meet Mon ~ Thu, from 9:00am to 1:30pm, for a total of 18 hours per week. Evening classes in ESOL will meet Mon ~ Fri from 6:20pm to 10:00pm, for a total of 18 hours per week.

Classes range in size from 6 to 12 students. Class sizes are kept to a minimum in order to maximize the learning experience.

There are four 8-week quarters in each academic year, August to May. Additionally, there are two 4-week quarters of intensive English offered during the summer. The courses offered during the academic year are different from those offered during the summer and are described separately below.

a. Academic Year:
During the academic year, students are placed into groups based on their overall proficiency in English. Placement testing occurs before the beginning of each quarter. There are 6 proficiency levels, ranging from True Beginner to Advanced. Students study at a single level for 2 quarters.

Full-time students take 4 courses during the academic year:
   - Academic Listening and Speaking
  - Academic Reading and Writing
  - Non-Academic Listening and Speaking
  - Non-Academic Reading and Writing.

The academic-year courses meet according to the following schedule:

In addition, special courses are offered when requested or needed by students:
   - TOEFL Preparation (offered every day during the non-academic block)
   - College Preparation (offered every day during the academic block)

b. Summer:
During the summer, proficiency groups are integrated to create communities of learners. The courses offered are different, reflecting both the diversity within the groups and the atmosphere of studying over the summer.

The courses offered are:
   - Summertime Cure-alls (Summer 1)
   - Community Action (Summer 2)
   - American Humor (Summer 1 and Summer 2)

Additionally, when there are a large number of true beginners, the following courses are offered specifically for them. These courses allow the true beginners to enter the academic year with a solid foundation in English study.
   - Survival English (Summer 1 and Summer 2)
   - Introductory Academic English (Summer 1 and Summer 2)

The courses meet according to the following schedule:

Times	Class
9:00 ~ 1:30 (Mon ~ Thu)	Summertime Cure-alls (Summer 1) Community Action (Summer 2) Survival English (Summer 1/2) American Humor (Summer 1 and Summer 2) Introductory Academic English (Summer 1/2)
6:20 ~ 10:00 (Mon ~ Fri)	Summertime Cure-alls (Summer 1) Community Action (Summer 2) Survival English (Summer 1/2) American Humor (Summer 1 and Summer 2) Introductory Academic English (Summer 1/2)

Course Descriptions
a. Academic Year Courses

Academic Listening and Speaking: This course focuses on the development of academic listening and speaking skills via listening texts. A variety of themes, topics, and genres are studied. There is a strong emphasis on skills for listening to extended passages, acquiring the vocabulary to discuss the passages, and speaking for extended periods of time. Students discuss the themes and topics to develop their ability to understand and use all aspects of oral language required in a North American academic setting. Academic Listening and Speaking: This course focuses on the development of academic listening and speaking skills via listening texts. A variety of themes, topics, and genres are studied. There is a strong emphasis on skills for listening to extended passages, acquiring the vocabulary to discuss the passages, and speaking for extended periods of time. Students discuss the themes and topics to develop their ability to understand and use all aspects of oral language required in a North American academic setting. Academic Reading and Writing: This course focuses on academic reading and writing through English grammar. Students develop their ability to understand and use various grammatical structures through reading texts and writing assignments that include the target grammar. Student writing focuses on writing as a communication tool and on both the process and product of writing. At every level, students write an extended paper on a single topic. Non-Academic Listening and Speaking This course trains students in non-academic oral communication. Students develop skills to help them understand English as it is used in authentic contexts. At all levels, students improve their oral intelligibility as well as their ability to use the English they already know in real-world situations. Students also participate in regular listening and speaking practice in a computer laboratory. Non-Academic Reading and Writing This course has 2 main foci: reading/writing for everyday situations and extensive non-academic reading. Students work to understand the types of reading texts typically encountered in the U.S. (forms, bills, advertisements, job applications, etc.) for the purposes of getting information and writing as needed (e.g., filling out a form, writing a letter of complaint). Additionally, students develop their ability to read large amounts of non-academic text for general understanding. TOEFL Preparation This course is designed specifically for students in need of advanced preparation for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Coursework includes vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, composition and speaking exercises designed to emulate TOEFL type questions and situations. Students gain vital test taking skills specific to the current and prospective versions of TOEFL. College Preparation This course prepares students for studying in an English-speaking college or university. Students will gain the skills necessary for participating both in and out of the classroom. Students learn note-taking, discussion, and writing skills. The content areas cover a wide variety of common academic courses taken by students in mainstream universities. The course culminates with a large academic paper and presentation.

b. Summer Courses:

Summertime Cure-alls : This course addresses reading, listening, writing, and speaking and uses vacation and cultural attractions as the primary text. Students read authentic descriptions of places to go and things to do in Atlanta and the southeastern U.S. Students also use the skills they learn in regular trips to the places they read about in class. Students present a final project at the end of the course on a city they have chosen. Community Action : This course is similar in scope to Summertime Cure-Alls. The difference is that here the focus is on social issues in the metro Atlanta area. Students The primary texts for the course will be authentic materials about social problems such as homelessness and drug use as well as information about those organizations that provide solutions to the problems. Students present a final project on an additional social problem. American Humor : This course examines humor in the United States through a study and analysis of the American sitcom. Students learn idiomatic expressions and cultural aspects relevant to an understanding of American humor. Students collaborate on in-class discussions and role-plays and a final research project involving the creation of a pilot for an American television show. Survival English : This course attends to the basic English skills necessary for everyday tasks in the United States. Students learn expressions and vocabulary commonly used at the bank, post office, supermarket, drug store, gas station, etc. The primary focus of this course is on listening and speaking, and pronunciation is also addressed. Introductory Academic English : This course gives students a brief overview of the English grammar system. Students read, write, listen, and speak while practicing some of the basics of English grammar.

Faculty & Staff
Georgia Christian University's faculty and staff are all administrative and educational professionals with solid reputations in their respective fields. In addition to having worked in the United States, many of our ESOL instructors have taught in other cultures. All instructors either hold Master's degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Linguistics, or Education or have built up a long history of teaching excellence. We participate in local and national conferences and are committed to regular self-evaluation and long-term planning.

Placement and Orientation
Upon registration, new and transfer students are administered placement tests consisting of objective and listening/speaking sections. This is to which proficiency level best meets their needs.

In addition to placement, students are given a brief orientation to Georgia Christian University outlining our policies and procedures. (International students must also attend a session on United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services policies outlined in the student handbook.) Our faculty and staff are always available to assist students with questions and concerns they have.

Entry Requirements
1. Completed GCU application form
2. $100 application fee
3. $100 SEVIS filing fee*
*Effective September 1, 2004, the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services requires full payment of a $100 fee prior to issuing I-20s to J-1, M-1, and F-1 visitors. There is no fee for dependent visas.
4. Official transcripts from the last school attended (high school, college/university, or language institute)
5. The person responsible for tuition payment must:
a) sign the affidavit of support located in the application packet
b) provide a bank verification of sufficient funds for one academic year of study (approximately $14,000 USD)
6. Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella (must be completed by the first week of class)
7. A student who is a citizen of a country other than the United States must obtain an F-1 student visa prior to course enrollment. The F-1 student visa may be obtained from the American consulate in your home country with the I-20 form issued by GCU. Once you have submitted items 1-4, the I-20 will be issued to you within 15 business days. It is recommended to apply to Georgia Christian University's ESOL program at least 60 days prior to the start of the desired session of study.
8. The application may be faxed with supporting documents, but the original documents must be mailed or presented upon arrival.

Student Resources
GCU offers the following services and resources for students:
- Dormitary facilities
- Computer and internet access
- Library facilities
- ESL computer programs (listening/speaking/reading) *Coming Soon!!!
- International Student Advisor
- Student association
- Student lounge
- Academic outings