English Language Institute

OFFICE OF RECORD: English Language Institute
ISSUED BY: Director of ELI
APPROVED BY: Jerry Tunheim
EFFECTIVE DATE: 9/24/93 (Revised 07/22/03)

03-18-00

Policy

Dakota State University's English Language Institute was formed with the primary goal of providing English language training to non-native speakers through a structured English as a Second Language (ESL) program. The ESL program at Dakota State is an essential component in attracting international students by providing the language skills necessary for university study in the U.S., and at the same time increasing university and community cultural diversity. The English Language Institute can also provide language training to assist faculty, staff and members of the community in their efforts to increase international markets for education, business and industry.

Procedure

REPORTING AUTHORITY

The English Language Institute and its director and staff at Dakota State University are part of the College of Arts and Sciences and under the supervision of the Dean of the college who reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The English Language Institute is provided with additional guidance and assistance by an advisory council consisting of two English faculty members, appointed by the dean; one university administrator appointed by the President of DSU; the current international club president; a member of the community; and the Institute's director as ex officio. Each member serves for one year.

RECORD KEEPING

Students can make application to the Institute directly, or through the university's office of admissions. In either case, for the purposes of record keeping, international student files will be maintained in the university's records system.

International students accepted to the Institute, or those conditionally admitted to the university, but lacking documented English language skills will be categorized as "conditional specials" by the records computer system. Any necessary record duplication or back-up will be maintained by the Institute.

FINANCES

The English Language Institute does not grant academic credit and is self-supporting with no funding from the State of South Dakota. The maintenance of the Institute's financial records is, however, a function of the university's business office. All students applying to the Institute must pay the International Student Charge set by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

ADMISSIONS

There are three major ways a student can be admitted to the English Language Institute: (1) by direct application to the Institute; (2) through the process of applying to Dakota State University; or (3) by referral from a Dakota State University faculty/staff or an individual from another institution.

Direct Application

Students who apply only for acceptance to the Institute will be accepted based on their previous academic history and current level of English ability. Accepted applicants will be placed in one of five levels of the ESL program determined by the results of the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency and the Michigan Test of Aural Comprehension.

Students attaining level five of the Language Institute may be allowed to take certain specified courses outside of the Language Institute at Dakota State University with the approval of the Institute's director.

DSU Admissions Process (Freshmen and Transfers)

Non-native speakers of English applying directly to the university (whether as a transfer or a new freshman) must have an official documented TOEFL score of 213 or greater and meet all university admission requirements in order to be considered as a regular admit. Students with scores less than 213, or who have not taken a TOEFL examination may be issued an I-20 for admission to the English Language Institute.

A student with a TOEFL score of 213 or greater who has met all university admission requirements and has been accepted as a "regular admit" to the university but fails to achieve the appropriate scores on the university's placement tests will, depending on the scores, be required to take and successfully complete the indicated academic skills classes upon initial enrollment and/or Language Institute classes as indicated in the following paragraph. If academic skills courses are required, the student must also participate in the At-Risk Student program.

After meeting all admission requirements, non-native English speaking students will be required to proceed as follows:

• those scoring below 70 on the COMPASS Writing test will be required to enroll in and successfully complete within the first two semesters of enrollment at the University ENGL 019 Basic Writing for 1-3 credits.
• those scoring between 40-75 on the COMPASS Reading Test will be required to enroll in and successfully complete within the first two semesters of enrollment at the University LART 110L Reading Development for one credit and LART 110 Study Skills for two credits.

Non-native English speaking students scoring lower than the scores indicated above on the University Writing and Reading placement tests will be required to enroll in the English Language Institute at their own expense and will be placed on "conditional admit" status until such time as they can achieve the appropriate level of English proficiency determined by the testing program on the English Language Institute.

All students must enroll in and successfully complete within the first two semesters of enrollment all math courses indicated by the math placement test (See Academic Skills policy.)

Referral Admission

A non-native English speaking student, otherwise regularly admitted to DSU, who is having academic difficulty may be referred to the Institute by an instructor or staff member who, after consultation with the student and the Institute director, determines that the academic problems are in part related to English language skills.

Students may also be referred to the Language Institute from other institutions or business and industry.

Certificate of Completion

Students successfully completing level five of the Institute will receive a certificate of completion. A student so certified by the English Language Institute may apply to DSU as a university degree-seeking student.

It is highly recommended that the student who has completed the English Language Institute and not planning to attend DSU, but considering attendance at another American university take, or re-take, the TOEFL examination. This examination is required for admission by virtually every American undergraduate and graduate institution.