English As A Foreign/Second Language—EFL and ESL

Program

CSU, Chico’s English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), and American culture programs range from a pre-baccalaureate language and culture institute through graduate seminars, an MA degree program with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and certificate programs in the tutoring and teaching of EFL and ESL. This is a guide to two categories of foreign/second language English and American culture courses and programs:

(1) English language study for students who have lived most of their lives in a non-English-speaking country and for whom English is not their first language.

(2) Courses and programs to prepare specialists, teachers, and prospective teachers for teaching or tutoring English as a foreign/second language.

American Language and Culture Institute

The American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) provides intensive English language instruction and introduces the American culture and the higher education system to international students. Many students who attend ALCI have applied for university admission and met all entrance requirements, with the exception of the English proficiency requirement. International students and other adults seeking to improve their English language skills for personal and professional development also attend ALCI.

Students participate in various recreational and educational activities designed to facilitate a smooth transition to the university environment and enhance an understanding of American society. Instruction is offered year- round: four seven-week terms during the academic year, and two six-week summer terms.

English as a Foreign Language (EFL)

Designed for students whose first language is not English, EFL courses offer an integrated whole-language approach to the English language through intensive reading, writing, speaking, and listening, focusing on American culture and communicative competence as their goals. EFL classes satisfy the General Education requirement for breadth (Area C2) and enable students to improve their facility with the English language, giving them an opportunity to perform more effectively in content area classes.

MA in Teaching International Languages

The MA in Teaching International Languages is a program for graduate students interested in the effective teaching and learning of international languages. By integrating course work from the Departments of Education, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Professional Studies in Education with offerings from International Studies and other related areas in the humanities and social sciences, this interdisciplinary degree offers a combination of studies in linguistics, language, culture, and foreign/second language education.

Required courses and electives are combined to provide the theoretical and practical basis essential for foreign language teachers, foreign/second language college and university instructors, and other professionals teaching world languages. Candidates served by this degree represent different languages, cultures and nationalities.

Graduate Certificate Program in the Theory and Practice of Basic Writing

This graduate certificate program offered by the Department of English is for teachers and prospective teachers of high school and college writing. In addition to general preparation in linguistics and composition theory, and to practicums in tutoring and teaching college-level basic writers, it offers the option of specialized course work and practicums in ESL tutoring and teaching. The program aims to educate prospective teachers of college-level basic writing by exploring recent theories of composition, including approaches that consider the effect of cultural difference on writing.

Courses in Tutoring/Teaching EFL/ESL

Courses in tutoring and teaching English as a foreign or second language are listed below and described fully in the “English” and “Education”chapters of the catalog.

Faculty

All EFL and ESL programs are taught by faculty with teaching and research specialities in foreign/second language teaching or with expertise in language acquisition.

Career Outlook

The need for EFL and ESL teachers and tutors continues to grow as the population in California and the nation becomes more linguistically diverse and as the demand for EFL teachers abroad increases. Professional-level positions usually require special career preparation, a certificate, and/or a master’s degree.

English as a Foreign Language Course Offerings

Please see the section on “Course Description Symbols and Terms” in The University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.

EFL 017     English as a Foreign Language    3.0 Fa/Spr*

Intensive practice and analytical study in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Emphasis on fluency and syntactic accuracy in spoken English. Focus on American culture, supplemented by selected reading in various academic disciplines. This course is open to international and resident students and to second-language students who have lived most of their lives in a non-English-speaking country. 3.0 hours of discussion, 1.0 hour activity. This is an approved General Education breadth (Area C2) course.

EFL 098/198/298   Special Topics    1.0-3.0 Inquire

Special topics on English as a foreign language may be offered from time to time for one to three units, with appropriate suffixes A, B, or C. Topics vary from term to term and may be repeated for credit. See The Class Schedule for specific topics that may be offered.

EFL 117     English as a Foreign Language    3.0 Fa/Spr*

Further intensive practice and analytical study in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Emphasis on fluency and syntactic accuracy in academic English. Focus on American culture and selected readings in academic disciplines. This course is open to second-language students and to second-language students who have lived most of their lives in a non-English-speaking country. 3.0 hours of discussion, 1.0 hour activity.

EFL 199/299    Special Problems    1.0-3.0 Inquire

This is an independent study of special problems and is offered when approved for one to three units, with appropriate suffixes, A, B, or C.