Programs - ESL

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Certificate Program requires a total of 1,800 class room hours for completion. This total represents the Basic through Advanced levels of comprehension. Since the school has a rolling-admissions policy, students who successfully pass both verbal and written placement tests prior to commencing their initial course of study may be qualified to take classes at any level they are rightly placed into by the school thus, expediting the time required for completion of the program. Please also refer to the Transfer of Credit section of this Catalog. All students are required to complete a minimum of 800 hours in-residence at EA in order to receive a certificate. These hours must represent their final hours of study in the ESL program. ESL courses cannot be transferred to other programs to satisfy the certificate requirements of those programs.

The ESL curriculum is primarily designed for students who plan to complete the certificate program through the Advanced level in order to allow exceptional learners the opportunity to advance to the academy level, if they desire. However, the curriculum is structured so that it also addresses the needs of learners who want to fortify their English proficiency for non-academic purposes.

The program’s courses focus on the development of English language skills that are essential when communicating with native English speakers and English language learners from other cultural backgrounds. Courses are arranged according to five proficiency levels (basic, beginner, intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced). All students are required to take the EA Completion Examination prior to advancing to the next language proficiency level. These examinations have been designed to measure a student’s mastery of English at each level. Students who successfully complete the Advanced level of study will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in English as a Second Language.

Students are required to complete four core courses at each proficiency level. These courses include the following:

  • Listening and Speaking
  • Grammar
  • Reading and Writing
  • Pronunciation, Discussion, Conversation

The essence of Evergreen Academy’s curriculum is guided by four primary components which include:

  • The Educational Goals of the ESL Program;
  • The Skills and Content Objectives;
  • The Learning Process; and,
  • Assessment Methodology.

The educational goal of the ESL Program is to provide students with practical language skills that are needed to excel in communicating in their daily activities at school, home, work and in social settings. Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to exhibit proper grammar usage, conversational skills and writing ability while maximizing their verbal communication proficiency.

The skills and content objectives within the curriculum are intended to ensure that students are exposed to conversational language skills that cross academic, home, and the workplaces’ thresholds. As an extension, the curriculum’s courses are sequenced and have been designed to build upon the four clearly delineated language proficiency levels: basic, beginner, intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced. The language proficiency levels and skill and content objectives for each level have been defined as follows:

ADVANCED – LEVEL D:

Learners should be able to communicate fluently while effectively self-monitoring their use of English; understand the cultural values and thought patterns of English speakers in the U.S.; deliver oral presentations; read and master a moderately high level of vocabulary; write essays, letters, and reports; and, be able to perform research on the internet. Speakers at this level should be able to demonstrate sufficient language proficiency to pass the TOEFL and/or be able to participate in a college or university degree program.

HIGH-INTERMEDIATE – LEVEL C:

Learners should be able to function independently in most situations; understand the cultural values and thought patterns of English speakers in the U.S.; deliver oral presentations; read and master a moderate level of vocabulary; write paragraphs, letters, and complete applications; and, be able to perform research on the internet.

INTERMEDIATE – LEVEL B:

Learners should be able to communicate with some degree of fluency; understand many questions and statements spoken at slow to moderately-normal speed and can therefore use English to shop, order food at restaurants, and ask for directions; complete forms and applications, notes, and paragraphs.

BEGINNER – LEVEL A:

Learners should be able to communicate with a limited degree of fluency; comprehend basic reading and writing skills; students at this level may have little to no English proficiency.

BASIC – BASIC LEVEL

Learners develop basic language skills needed in classroom and in day-to-day adult situations. The focus is on listening, and minimal speaking tasks necessary to satisfy routine classroom and social demands and limited work requirements. Introduction to reading and writing skills. This level is for those with little or no literacy in English.

  • Alphabet
  • Numbers
  • Vocabulary words