English Language Institute
Graduate School of Education
320 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1000
(716) 645-2077
Fax: (716) 645-6198
Web: wings.buffalo.edu/gse/eli
Stephen C. Dunnett, Director, English Language Institute
Kathy L. Curtis, Associate Director, English Language Institute
John K. Fitzer, Program Director, English as a Second Language Program
*Not a baccalaureate degree program
The English as a Second Language program at the English Language Institute (ELI) is designed to assist international and domestic students whose first language is not English in developing the language skills necessary to succeed in a U.S. university. Undergraduate students enroll in credit-bearing English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to improve their English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for academic and professional purposes and to satisfy the college writing requirement. In addition, the ELI offers assistance to university departments and the Office of Admissions in evaluating students’ English language skills, and works closely with the International Student Policy Committee (ISPC) to establish English language proficiency standards for international applicants and to ensure compliance with English language testing and course requirements.
All international students who are applying to undergraduate programs at the University at Buffalo whose first or dominant language is other than English must submit a minimum score of 213, computer-based (550, paper-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in order to be considered for admission. International undergraduate students who score between 193 (523) and 210 (547) on the TOEFL test may be admitted to the university on the condition that they register for and successfully complete both ESL411 or 412 Advanced Spoken English and ESL407 Advanced Written English I during the first semester of registration.
International students, U.S. citizens, and permanent residents whose first or dominant language is other than English may satisfy the college writing skills requirement by successfully completing two ESL courses: ESL407 Advanced Written English and Reading I, and ESL408 Advanced Written English and Reading II. Students are strongly advised to take these courses during their first and second semesters of academic study. ESL407 may be waived based on the transfer of an equivalent course from another accredited U.S. university.
International undergraduate students who matriculate at UB with less than 193 (523) on their TOEFL test may register for the Intensive English Program, which is a non-credit, non-matriculation program offered by the English Language Institute.
The Program director of the English as a Second Language Program is available to advise students and place them into ESL courses prior to and at the beginning of each semester. Throughout the year, the program director is available to assist university departments and offices in evaluating students' English language proficiency and in planning a program of language instruction that meets students' needs. The ESL program instructors are trained teachers of English to speakers of other languages. They have had experience teaching abroad, as well as in the United States. Therefore, they are aware of and sensitive to the special needs and problems of second-language learners.
407 Advanced Written English and Reading I (3) (F; Sp)
The objectives of this course are to improve students' writing skills for academic
purposes by developing effective use of grammatical structures; analytical and critical
reading skills; a sensitivity to rhetorical situation, style, and level of diction in
academic reading and writing; and competence in using various methods of organization used
in formal writing.
For those undergraduates who are international students, citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or refugees whose first or dominant language is other than English, successful completion of ESL407 meets the university's writing skills requirement of the general education program (ENG101 Writing). LEC
408 Advanced Written English and Reading II (3) (F; Sp)
Focuses on the development of writing
skills appropriate to specific academic and professional purposes; the analysis and
practice of various methods of organization and rhetorical patterns used in formal
expository and persuasive writing; the refinement of critical reading strategies and
library research techniques; and the completion of an academically acceptable library
research paper.
For those undergraduates who are international students, citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or refugees whose first or dominant language is other than English, successful completion of ESL408 meets the university's writing skills requirement of the general education program (ENG201 Reading and Advanced Writing). LEC
411 Advanced Spoken English I (3) (F)
The objectives of this course are to improve
students' listening and speaking proficiency for the university context; to develop
their skills in researching, preparing, and delivering various kinds of oral
presentations-individual presentations, both informative and persuasive, group
presentations, and debates; to increase their mastery of appropriate forms of American
speech for academic and everyday communication, including American idiomatic speech; and
to address their individual pronunciation and intonation problems. Students'
presentations are videotaped. LEC
412 Advanced Spoken English II (3) (Sp)
Focuses on developing students'
listening and speaking proficiency for academic and professional contexts; refining their
skills in researching, preparing, and delivering academic and professional oral
presentations, including group discussions, professional meetings, and interviews;
familiarization with appropriate forms of American speech for academic and everyday
communication, including American idiomatic forms; and exercises to address individual
pronunciation and intonation problems. Students' presentations are videotaped. LEC