English As a Second Language

In addition to submitting the application form and secondary school transcript with the official English translation, international students whose first (or native) language is not English should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test (IELTS) and have the results mailed to the College. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 68 (Internet-based) or 190 (Computer-based) on the TOEFL or a score of six or higher on the IELTS.  Roanoke College does not always provide an ESL course during the spring semester, so the minimum TOEFL score for entrance in the spring term is 79 (Internet-based) or 213 (Computer-based).

International students at a winter meeting

Language 221/222

This course is offered as an advanced study of English as a Second Language. The course will focus on English for academic purposes though it will also provide important social and cultural cues to better understand and negotiate the complexities of American life.  It is offered for, and restricted to, international students and others whose first (or native) language is not English.  The course is designed to provide important skills in communication which will be essential to academic success at Roanoke College.  These skills are normally defined as: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

In order to provide the greatest possible improvement in the use of English as a medium of communication, the course requires a substantial commitment of time beyond the normal course routine.  The class will meet for four hours each week, and a required language lab will also meet for two hours each week, to be monitored by a student in the foreign language department.  In addition, the course instructor will provide access to peer tutoring outside of class with the assistance of Academic Services.

Assignments for the class may include, but are not limited to:

1. Formal prose essays on contemporary topics with appropriate documentation. Minimum: 5 pages.
2. Formal class presentations on academic subject area, including questions and answers and class evaluation. Minimum: 20 minutes.
3. Formal conversations such as interviews with instructor, and informal conversations with peers, to be evaluated for content and style.
4. Proofreading the work of fellow classmates and re-writing each essay for final submission.
5. Reading textbook and academic journals in variety of fields for content.  
6. Weekly examinations based on required reading.
7. Listening to lectures outside of class (e.g. International Week, Fowler Lecture, etc.) and writing synopses of them.
8. Listening to tapes in language lab and answering questions posed after the taped presentation.
9. Writing a personal journal which accounts for daily occasions of interest to student. Submitted weekly for evaluation.
10. Writing a newspaper article for submission to the college newspaper.
11. Writing an autobiography from childhood to Roanoke College.
12. Reading daily newspapers and carrying on regular conversations based on its contents.
13. Re-writing papers completed for other courses to add refinement to written English

Evaluation will be in the form of suggested improvements.  One page summaries will be given to students on most assigned work.  Only the major paper and a final examination will be graded conventionally.  Second readers will be invited to add their comments on evaluations on an occasional basis. Students will be expected to proceed to the next class, GST 101 (Critical Writing and Reading), upon satisfactory completion of Language 221/222.