Mission Statement

The ELL program seeks to help Susquehanna University in fulfilling its mission to provide all students with the highest quality education that enables them to be successful, contributing participants of a global society. This intercultural English program helps our students to be successful in the university setting and beyond while facilitating student’s transformation into citizens of the world.

Program description

This intensive English program (IEP) consists of six 7-week terms per academic year; two terms in the fall semester, two in the spring semester and two during the summer. The IEP serves students of diverse cultures with language proficiency ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Each student receives 28 hours of direct instructions weekly; this consists of specific skills in vocabulary development, grammar, speaking and listening comprehension. The program is complemented by enrichment courses offered at each level, conversational groups with native English speakers, daily English language tutoring sessions and intercultural development in all six levels.

Levels 1-2

Courses are designed to help students develop the fundamental English skills in an interactive classroom setting. There is emphasis on the skills required for effective oral and written communication. Instructional activities are designed to cover all areas of language development: practical vocabulary, basic language structures and the essentials of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Levels 3-4

Students continue to develop fluency and accuracy. Course work focuses on comprehensive skills as well as academic preparation skills, including the fundamentals of essay writing and the development of critical reading, listening and note-taking skills. Students begin to focus skill that for academic purposes, improving fluency and university level writing and thinking.

Levels 5-6

Courses at this level are designed are designed for students that have mastered the fundamental English skills I levels 1-4. The focus main focus is on areas such as current issues, cross-cultural concerns, vocabulary expansion, public speaking, pronunciation, advanced academic reading and writing. There is emphasis on using citations, creating reference pages, exposure to MLA and APA writing format.

The Intensive English program at Susquehanna University includes the assessment and strategic placement of students based on their level of English proficiency. Students entering the program are placed in a full time intensive English course of study (28 hours of direct instruction per week).

Core Competencies

1. Speak English fluently in formal and informal situations.
2. Gain listening and comprehension skills, to improve participation and understanding in during university level lectures.
3. Write effective, structured and grammatically correct essays.
4. Develop clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the given task, purpose, and audience.
5. Improve oral communication skills and pronunciation to convey clear messages to audience/listeners.
6. Use English appropriately in various social contexts.

Reading

Reading (Beginning Levels 1 and 2):

This course is designed for emerging English language learners to learn strategies such as skimming, scanning, and prediction using context clues to improve their reading comprehension in English. In addition, there are components on grammar to improve their writing skills and the use of research articles for simple references.

Reading (Intermediate Levels 3 and 4):

The intermediate Reading to Write unit is designed for transitional English language learners to build academic vocabulary and develop more advanced reading comprehension skills. It includes a strategically integrated grammar focus to help students develop well-articulated paragraphs with topic sentences and logical conclusions in their writing. In this course, emphasis is placed on note taking and reading to write short summaries.

Reading (Advanced Levels 5 and 6):

This course is designed for advanced English language learners to prepare them for university academic reading, writing and research. Special emphasis is reading and identifying well-formed paragraphs and longer essays with clear topic sentences, proper research citation, and higher level academic reading strategies. This course further develops students’ reading skills in preparation for higher levels of academia. Students develop comprehensive reading skills while preparing their research paper. The advanced academic reading includes analysis, synthesis, summarization, and paraphrasing of information for a research paper. There is emphasis on fluency, articulation and expression while reading.

Listening and Speaking

Listening and Speaking (Beginning Levels 1 and 2):

In this course, the goal is to increase spoken fluency, conversational vocabulary and listening comprehension of emerging English language learners. Students will be given opportunities hearing English used in natural conversations in a variety of contexts. Students will also practice speaking English in structured and semi-structured situations, with an emphasis on providing students with a grammatical and communicative framework for managing everyday functions, such as asking and responding to questions and directions.

Listening and Speaking (Intermediate Levels 3 and 4):

This course will focus on developing students’ English communication skills appropriate for an academic environment. Students will develop their skills in creating presentations and participating in class discussions, as well as engage in interactive activities that will strengthen their pronunciation skills in English. Students develop an understanding of lectures and ability to take notes and summarize. Students practice pronunciation, hold appropriate conversations on the phone as well as in person and organize and present speeches.

Listening and Speaking: Advanced Integrated Communications (Advanced Levels 5 and 6):

In this course, students will practice communication in various settings and for a wide range of professional and academic purposes, integrating all the language skills, with a special emphasis on speaking and listening in an academic environment. The course will provide a support framework for the English language learner who is ready to be immersed in full-time university academic work. Topics include: oral presentations skills, group work, multimedia activities involving listening and speaking, and higher level pronunciation work.

Grammar

Grammar (Beginning Levels 1 and 2):

In this course, students study high intermediate-level syntax in an explicit, focused manner and apply this knowledge to communicative tasks. The emphasis is on studying word order and analyzing and producing complex English sentences.

Grammar (Intermediate Levels 3 and 4):

This course includes the use of advanced-level syntax in an explicit, focused manner and helps students to apply knowledge to communicative tasks. It expands on verb tenses including the perfect tenses and use modals in different social contexts. Students practice their grammar in more academic writing of varying genres.

Grammar (Advanced Level 5 and 6):

The emphasis is on producing complex English sentences and on developing critical thinking skills by synthesizing and evaluating ideas from a variety of sources. This course entails a demonstration of a full knowledge of English grammar through extensive written assignments, speaking and editing. It expands on verb tenses including the perfect tenses and use modals in different social contexts. Students are able to practice their grammar in more academic writing and varying genres.

Academic Writing

Writing (Beginning Levels 1 and 2):

The beginning writing course includes developing structured sentences, an introduction to the writing process, writing paragraphs, summarizing short passages.

Academic Writing (Intermediate Levels 3 and 4):

In this course, students actively read and respond to college-level readings. At the same time, they improve their reading fluency and critical thinking skills. Students communicate their ideas about readings in paragraph and multi-paragraph academic compositions. They also develop their knowledge of academic vocabulary. Basic library research skills are also introduced.

Academic Writing (Advanced Levels 5 and 6):

This course integrates the reading and writing skills students need in a college classroom. Students develop skills in comprehending, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating longer academic readings. They demonstrate their comprehension and critical thinking skills by writing researched, organized and correctly documented papers. Intermediate to advanced library research skills are also introduced. One of the goals of this class is to read scholarly and peer reviewed articles and incorporate them into a research paper using APA style reference and citations. Research projects are integrated with the Listening and Speaking course as students give oral presentation of their work during listening and Speaking class.

The Susquehanna University ELL Program is very affordable and is viewed by our students as an excellent value. Our tuition and fees are very reasonable and comparable to other similar programs in the state of Pennsylvania.

Cost Breakdown per semester (1 semester = 2 ELL terms) 2023–24 for full-time ELL

Tuition – $7,513

Housing and meal plan – $7,850

SU Fees – $400

Total cost per semester – $15,763

Refund Policy

This policy applies to all student withdrawals. Room, orientation, activity and health fees are neither pro-rated nor refundable.

New students withdrawing from the program on the last business day before class will be charged $200 for orientation.

Returning students withdrawing from the program on the last business day before class will be charged a $100 cancellation fee.

Students withdrawing on the 5th day of class will receive a refund of 50% of their tuition.

There will be no refund for any student withdrawing after the fifth day of class.

Students who are suspended or dismissed from the university after the first day of classes are not eligible for refunds.

To obtain a refund, you must first complete a withdrawal form in the Office of the Registrar.

All classes are taught by highly qualified instructors as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

F1 Visa Information

Maintaining Status

To maintain your status as an F-1 international student, you must:

• Hold a valid passport.
• Pursue a full course of study at the university.
• Make normal progress towards the completion of your program, which means you must be enrolled in at least 24 hours per week each term.
• Have a current F-1 visa and an I-20 that corresponds to program, field and period of study.
• Have health insurance that meets required minimum standards set by the university.
• If you fail to comply with these regulations, you will lose your F-1 status. Please contact your international student advisor if you think you are out of status.

Updating your I-20

• Please notify the Office of Cross-Cultural programs within 10 days of any change of address, so we can report that information to the proper authorities.

Travel

• After you complete your program, you have a 60-day grace period during which you can travel within the U.S., apply to begin another degree program and more.
• While you have F-1 status at Susquehanna, you’re welcome to explore other parts of the country in order to enhance your experience. Travel within the United States does not require a travel signature or any special documents.
• If you are leaving the U.S. and plan to return as an F-1 student, you must have all your papers in order, including a passport that is valid for six months beyond your expected day of re-entry, an F-1 U.S. visa stamp, and a current I-20 form with a travel signature along with any old I-20s you may have. Please see us before you leave the country to be sure you have a valid travel signature.
• Remember, you need a valid F-1 U.S. Visa Stamp in your passport to re-enter the U.S. New F-1 visas cannot be obtained inside the U.S. If your visa has expired or you have used all of the multiple entries, you should return to your home country to apply for a renewal of your F-1 visa.