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Michael A. Harpending, PhD, Director
Objectives
The English Language and Culture Bridge Program (ELCB) is designed to prepare non-native speakers of English for a productive academic career at Seattle University. The primary goal of the program is to assist admitted Seattle University students in developing the English language skills that are essential for success in their studies. The courses offered in the program are highly advanced, with a specific focus on graduate-level reading, writing, listening and speaking. Attention is also given to an understanding of American culture.
Description of Courses
Graduate students are expected to take courses that advance their strategic reading and writing (ELCB 0900), and academic speaking skills (ELCB 0910) essential for success in their disciplines. The course work for graduate students concentrates on English skills necessary for success in graduate courses at Seattle University. Graduate students enrolled in the Albers School of Business attend a supplemental course in conjunction with a five-credit-hour class, BCOM 2800 Business Communication. These students are also required to take Advanced Academic Discourse (ELCB 0910) during their first quarter at Seattle University and have the option of taking Advanced Academic Writing (ELCB 0900) in the same or the subsequent quarter.
The Program Schedule
ELCB courses for graduate students are offered during the fall, winter and spring quarters, and during the summer eight-week session.
English Proficiency Admission Requirements (Policy 2008-01)
All non-native speakers of English whose TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score (or an equivalent score) is below 237/580/92 are required to take the Placement Essay Test upon their arrival at Seattle University. Results of the Placement Essay Test combined with their English proficiency scores at admission may require that students be enrolled in the ELCB Program to ensure their academic success at Seattle University.
Placement Essay Test
The purpose of the Placement Essay Test is to allow students an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their writing. Placement Essay Tests are evaluated by the ELCB faculty based on such considerations as language fluency, rhetorical development, logical organization, and sentence structure.
Students whose writing skills require additional improvement need to take courses in the ELCB Program. Students whose writing abilities are deemed sufficient for success in their academic studies do not need to enroll in the program.
Students whose TOEFL scores are 237/580/92 or above are not expected to take the Placement Essay Test or enroll in the ELCB Program unless directed to do so by their departments. However, they have the option of taking classes in the program.
Program Requirements
ELCB student work is evaluated with the goal of preparing non-native speakers for success in their studies at Seattle University. In keeping with this objective, a student must earn a grade of C- or better in all CLBR courses required based upon the individual’s TOEFL score and Placement Essay Test. Grades below C- are considered to be insufficient for progression and the course must be repeated until a grade of C- or better is achieved.
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