General Questions >>
ESLN Course Content >>
ESLN Class Expectation >>
Academic Credit and ESLN >>
Registration of Classes >>
Dropping ESLN classes >>
Repeating ESLN classes >>
Transfer of ESLN classes >>
General Questions
Who has to take ESLN classes?
You have to take ESLN classes if you have been admitted to EMU but your TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS score is below the minimum score required for admission. See Conditional Admission for more information. You have to take ESLN classes until you complete the sequence of courses or you achieve the minimum required TOEFL or MELAB score.
If you have a permanent resident visa, or “green card,” you must still take the TOEFL or MELAB. Remember, your citizenship does not necessarily mean you have academic proficiency in English, even if you have been living here for several years. Can any international student take ESLN classes? Yes. Many international students want to improve their skills in English, regardless of their TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS score. Any student who wants to take an ESLN class should meet with the ESL coordinator to register.
Who can answer questions I have about ESLN classes?
The ESL Coordinator in 212 Alexander (734/487-0338).
What happens if I think an ESLN course is too easy or too difficult?
If both you and your professor think you need to move to a different level, you can do so. However, you must talk with the ESL Coordinator who will help you make the adjustments in your schedule. Changes are made in the first two weeks of a semester only.
Why do I have to take all ESLN classes if I speak English very well?
Being able to speak English well is certainly a great accomplishment, but it doesn’t mean that your grammar, reading, writing or listening is equally good or appropriate for academic work. In almost every academic class, your writing and reading ability, helped by your grammar ability, will be used the most. Of course, you will also need to able to listen to and comprehend academic English well enough to take notes. Much of your course work will be reading the textbook, writing essays and reading test questions. While your speaking ability will help you to participate in class, it will probably not help you much when you need to write a research paper or read 20-30 pages per night for each course you are taking.
How many ESLN courses do I have to take in one semester?
If you need to improve all four skills, you must take four ESLN courses. You must complete your English requirements BEFORE you may register for academic courses. This is true regardless of your visa type.
Can I skip ESLN classes and take academic classes?
No. It is imperative that you know English before you go into your academic classes where everything is taught, read, written and spoken in English. If your English is below the minimum accepted level, you will have serious difficulties in academic classes. ESLN classes are designed to help you, and therefore ESLN classes are a condition to your admission. That means that you cannot be regularly admitted to EMU until you either complete the ESLN courses or achieve the appropriate TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS score.
I have an F-1 Visa. Do I have to take 12 credits in the spring/summer terms?
Can I only take one credit?
You don’t have to take any courses in the spring or summer semester if you don’t want to. You can take between one and 12– it’s up to you. If, however, you decide to take some classes in the spring/summer terms, and you still have ESLN classes to take, you must take the ESLN classes first. In the Fall and Winter semesters, you must take 12 credits in the Fall and 12 credits in the Winter in order to be a full-time undergraduate student, and 8 graduate credits each semester in order to be a full-time graduate student. Your student (F-1) status requires this. It does not require you to take courses in addition to those you take in the fall and winter semesters.
I am an International student. How can I know the estimated costs of the program I enroll into?
EMU has calcuated an estimate of student's expenses depending on the type of enrollment, number of credits you are planing to take per academic year and the period of time you plan to stay in United States. This can be seen in Financial Statement Form for International Applicants. To view the form < click here > (PDF format).
^ TopWhat do I learn in ESLN classes?
In speaking and listening classes, you will learn social and academic language and when it is acceptable to say certain things. You will also learn how to work effectively in groups, make short presentations in front of the class, and practice your pronunciation and intonation. You will improve your listening ability by constantly talking with your classmates and other Americans, as well as by learning how to take notes from taped lectures, videos and radio shows.
In grammar classes, you will learn verb tenses and simple to complex sentence structures. This includes all kinds of clauses as well as various ways of combining sentences. You will learn which grammatical structures you have the most difficulty with and how to correct your problems. Most importantly, you will learn how to use English grammar in specific situations.
In reading classes, you will learn how American English writing is organized. You will learn vocabulary as well as specific ways to increase your own vocabulary. You will learn how to read faster yet still understand the author’s point. At higher levels, you will focus on academic reading (subject-matter texts) to prepare you for the type and amount of reading you will have to do in your academic classes. You will read a variety of types of material and will use the University Library.
In writing classes, you will learn how to write and organize paragraphs, essays and research papers for an American reader. You will learn how to find ideas, how to revise and edit your work, and how to locate and correct your own mistakes. You will also learn how to take in-class, timed essay exams. You will learn how to use a word-processing program on campus as well as how to use the University Library.
In addition to these skills, you will also learn about EMU and culturally appropriate behavior for the American classroom as well as for the world outside the classroom. You will learn how and when to ask questions, how to get study groups together, how to manage your time so that you can complete all of your assignments and how to take various kinds of tests. Most importantly, you will develop confidence in your English and in your ability to communicate with American and other international classmates as well as your professors.
Can I learn computer skills in an ESLN class?
Yes! In ESLN 212, 312, and 412 you will learn word processing skills. You will probably even learn how to use the internet, since all EMU students receive an account/address for e-mail (my.emich).
How are ESLN classes helpful to students who need to have good skills in scientific majors?
All classes at EMU are taught in English, so you need to have basic English skills for any major, not just scientific ones. At the higher levels of
ESLN classes, you will be able to develop your vocabulary, reading and writing skills with more focus on your major. Therefore, in ESLN classes, you will learn how to use English in general and for your major in particular.
^ TopWhy is attendance important for ESLN classes?
(I think test and assignment scores are more important than attendance because English is for English abilities.)
Attendance is important in all classes, not only ESLN classes. Attendance is important because the American education system values participation. Teachers believe that the activities in class help you use the knowledge you have learned from your course materials. You will use English in many places other than on tests and assignments. You need English to communicate with American classmates, and you need to learn how to communicate in a culturally appropriate way. Therefore, you practice these things in ESLN classes. English is a skill like music or sports that you need to practice. If you’re not in class, you’re not practicing academic English. Also, American teachers in general want their students to attend class because additional knowledge is taught during class that you won’t find in your textbook and may be on a test.
How can I succeed in ESLN classes?
You can succeed in ESLN classes the same way that you will succeed in all other classes at EMU or other universities. You attend class, you participate by asking and answering questions, you complete your assignments on time, you work with partners, you experiment with the language outside of class, you study well for quizzes and tests and you talk to the instructor about anything in class that you don’t understand.
How does the ESLN staff know if ESLN students are satisfied with their classes?
The only way we know is by the reaction of students in class or by the course evaluations at the end of the semester. We would like all students to feel that they are learning and that the courses are valuable to them. If you are not satisfied with your courses, please talk to your teacher first, and then the ESLN Coordinator or the Department Head of the
Department of World Languages, and we will try to make your studying more satisfying.
If I think that an ESLN class is too easy by the middle of the term, what can I do?
Congratulations! Your English has improved more quickly than usual! At this time in the semester, it is impossible to add other classes because you would miss 50% of the content (and tests and assignments!). You should talk to your teacher, who can give you more challenging assignments or extra work so that you can continue to learn at your own speed.
If you take the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS, do NOT stop attending ESLN classes. You are responsible for immigration purposes to stay in class. EMU cannot change your admission status and requirements until the following semester. If you stop attending classes, you will receive grades of E, which will remain on your transcript and affect your Grade Point Average (GPA).
How do ESLN teachers determine final grades?
All teachers at universities are required to explain to students their method for determining final grades. This explanation should be on the course outline or syllabus that the teacher hands out on the first or second day of class. If you have any questions at all about how any of your grades are determined, you should ask your teacher. He or she will be happy to explain to you how his or her grading system works.
^ TopDo ESLN grades count as part of my cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average)?
Yes.
Can ESLN courses be applied to academic credits?
Yes. Twenty (20) credit hours of ESLN coursework can count as electives toward graduation for undergraduate students. Some ESL classes may be counted on a graduate student's program of study if permission is given by the Graduate Advisor.
What ESLN classes substitute for academic classes?
For undergraduate students only, ESLN 412 is similar to ENGL 121, a requirement for Basic Studies. Therefore, you need to take one of these courses to graduate from EMU. If you take ESLN 412, you do not have to take ENGL 121. For international students, ESLN 412 is strongly recommended because the teachers are familiar with cultural differences and learning styles.
^ TopHow do I register for ESLN classes?
If you need to take full-time ESLN (four or more classes), then the ESLN Coordinator will register for you. You need to go to 212 Alexander to meet with the ESLN Coordinator to discuss your classes first.
If you are taking between one and four ESLN classes, then you will probably also need at least one academic class. In this case, you need to see the ESLN Coordinator who will register you for your ESLN classes. The ESLN Coordinator will give you a form that you can take to the Academic Advisory office (301 Pierce Hall) to register for other university courses.
What is the “ESLA Hold” on my registration?
It is a method for the University to make sure that you register for the required ESLN classes before your academic classes. Because you have to learn more English before you can be regularly admitted into the University, you must take care of that first.
Do I need the ESLN Coordinator’s permission to register for ESLN classes?
Yes. “Permission” is actually a code that must be entered into EMU’s computer which will allow you to register. The ESLN Coordinator and the International Student Academic Adviser are the only ones who can put this code into the computer for you.
^ TopWhat happens if I get a TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS score which is over the minimum?
You must bring that score to the ESLN Coordinator in 212 Alexander for verification and send an official score report to the Admissions Office, 401 Pierce Hall. If you bring it after the beginning of a semester, you must still take the required ESLN courses for that semester. If you receive a score over the minimum, and you bring it to the ESLN Coordinator at least two weeks before the beginning of a semester, you do not have to continue taking ESLN courses and the “hold” will be removed from your registration.
I tried to drop my ESLN courses and couldn’t. Why not?
Just like you need permission to take ESLN courses, you need permission to drop them. Only the ESLN Coordinator has the authority to drop you from your ESLN courses. You can drop your academic courses by asking the ESL Coordinator to do so. Remember, however, that you must register for at least 12 credit hours if you are an undergraduate with F-1 immigration status. Graduate students must register for at least eight hours. If you are taking all undergraduate courses, then 12 credit hours is expected. See the World Student Adviser in 229 King Hall for more information.
If I don’t want to take ESLN classes anymore, what should I do?
You need to show that your English ability is acceptable for study at EMU by submitting a TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS score which meets or exceeds the required admission. These scores must be submitted to the Admissions Office at EMU at least two weeks before the semester starts.
If I get 500 on the TOEFL, can I drop my ESLN classes?
Yes, but only if you get this score at least two weeks before the semester starts. We cannot accept TOEFL or MELAB scores after the semester starts because you would then need to register late for other classes. You would miss several weeks of the beginning of each class, so it would be too difficult for you to catch up. In addition, professors don’t like to accept students in their classes after the first week of classes. However, ESLN classes provide a number of skills and abilities which will help you in your academic career even if you have the minimum score required.
^ TopWhy do I have to repeat ESLN classes with a grade of C-, but I can pass academic classes with a grade of C-?
A grade of C- means that you control 70 percent of the course content. For example, if you receive a grade of C- in a reading course, that means that you have learned only 70 percent of the vocabulary, and can understand only 70 percent of books or magazine articles, which are perhaps not as difficult as your academic texts will be. Your ability in English affects all of your classes whereas your ability in an academic class usually affects only that class. Your success in academic classes will be much lower if you understand only 70 percent of the textbook: What will you do if your professor asks you questions about the 30 percent you did not understand?
Remember, you need to be able to control English well enough to be able to do as well as American native English speakers in all of your classes. You can’t do that if you only control 70 percent.
Is there any way to get credit for an ESLN class that I haven’t passed besides taking the course again? For example, is there any extra credit that can be done or consideration for students who score close to 500 on the TOEFL?
No. You need to take ESLN courses again because failure (or getting below a C) of any ESLN class means that you don’t have the language knowledge to be able to understand and participate in regular academic classes. Consideration for students with TOEFL scores close to 500 is given in the number of classes that these students are required to take. Students need to remember that 500 is the minimum that EMU will accept. Any score below that is below the minimum.
^ TopWhen I finish ESLN classes, can I transfer these classes to another university?
It depends on the other university, but usually ESLN classes do not transfer. The only class which may transfer is ESLN 412, because it can be substituted for ENGL 121, a Basic Studies requirement for graduation at EMU. EMU does count up to 20 ESLN credit hours towards your graduation requirement of electives for undergraduate students. However, there is no guarantee that another university will accept them.
Are EMU’s ESLN courses equivalent to those of other schools, and can they be transferred to other schools?
Probably not. While the textbooks and the methods may be the same, there is currently no way for ESLN programs to standardize their courses. Unlike EMU, most schools do not give credit for ESLN courses, so they probably will not transfer to other schools.
^ TopSUGGESTIONS, UPDATES, MORE QUESTIONS !!
We’d like your feedback. If you have a question about being an international student at Eastern Michigan University that is not answered here, or if you have suggestions or information we should include, please email us at kimberly.anderson@emich.eduEMU Home | Contact EMU | Site Map | Directories | Calendars | My.emich | Search