English as a Second Language Program and Bridge Program

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Coordinator: Lauren Boone, M.A.

Harding University offers a concentrated curriculum for international students whose academic English skills need to develop before they enroll in courses for their college-entry academic program. Students admitted into the program are enrolled in 12-15 hours of language work in their first semester. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are offered to prepare students for entry into college-level courses. These courses are not intended for transfer and do not count in earned hours for graduation. A grade of “C” is required to pass each course. Any student lacking a satisfactory score on an English proficiency test will be expected to pass each course and score a 550/70 on the TOEFL (paper/IBT) or a 6 on the IELTS before exiting the ESL curriculum. Students are expected to show progress and meet exit requirements within four semesters, students who do not exit the curriculum within four semesters must appeal if they wish to return for a fifth semester. A course fee is attached to ESL 088  to cover proficiency exams administered at the beginning and end of the course. Students will begin their academic program of study in the subsequent term after these requirements are met.

In addition, a Bridge Program is offered for high proficiency ESL students to get experience in university-level academic classes and acquire academic credit while continuing to work on their English skills. This is a two-semester program that allows ESL students who are admitted to the University with test scores of TOEFL 500/IELTS 5.5/IBT of 61 to take two or three University classes while taking three ESL classes and receiving academic support.

To successfully complete the Bridge Program, students must meet the following requirements:

After one semester, students must:

1. have an overall GPA of 3.0 (ESL and University classes combined), earn an A or B in all ESL classes, and pass all ESL exit exams at 75% or above.
2. meet all Bridge Program requirements which include regular class attendance, pre-school orientation attendance, academic coach meeting attendance, providing academic progress reports (if required) from the professors of their academic classes, and maintaining good academic standing.

After two semesters, students must:

1. have an overall GPA of 2.75 (ESL and University classes combined).
2. meet all Bridge Program requirements which include regular class attendance, pre-school orientation attendance, academic coach meeting attendance, providing academic program reports (if required) from the professors of their academic classes, and maintaining good academic standing.

Students can qualify for full admission to the University after the first or second semester by providing official evidence of passing the IELTS with a 6, the paper TOEFL with 550, or the IBT with 70.

Students should understand that Bridge Program eligibility is a privilege, not a right, and can  be revoked for not meeting program requirements. Excessive absences, a WF in any class, low GPA and/or dropping a class results in exclusion from the Bridge Program. In that case, the University is no longer obligated to the Bridge Program contract and the student will be considered an ESL student.

Students may take no more than 16 credit hours while in the Bridge Program unless there are extenuating circumstances approved by the program director. Students’ schedules will be created in conjunction with the ESL Program coordinator and/or the student’s academic adviser. Classes in which students make a D or F should be retaken for GPA remediation in order for students to meet the GPA requirement to exit the program.

This program is overseen by the Cannon-Clary College of Education . For further information, e-mail esl@harding.edu.