English as Second or Other Language

The English as a second or other language (ESOL) transitional program supports students whose first language is not English, but whose proficiency is more communicative than academic, in becoming successful college students. The program addresses all domains of language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while focusing on usage in the academic setting. Students are expected to have varying levels of proficiency, and as such, a self-directed learning approach will be utilized to tailor the program to individual student need. Cultural aspects of North American schooling will also be addressed to allow students to identify differences in academic expectations, apply new knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and produce work to the standards of the North American system of assessment. A language through content teaching approach will be applied, with a commitment to the natural and civic environments will be reflected in the reading and topic selections. 

Learning Outcomes:

Each student who completes the requirements for English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) Program should be able to:

1. Interpret, infer, and explain collegiate level texts 
2. Produce well-constructed writings of various lengths, tones, and purposes
3. Produce novel language in a variety of settings, both academic and social
4. Interpret and infer meaning from spoken language in academic and social settings
5. Describe the principles of academic honesty and plagiarism
6. Compare and describe the academic and co-curricular community through an understanding of cultural norms of the US college system and rural New Hampshire.
7. Engage in self-advocacy and self-sufficiency