The English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI), including the Academic ELCI and Intensive English programs, empowers students to learn English for a variety of purposes, from career and educational preparation to life-long learning and community stewardship. The institute values diversity, promotes cultural understanding, fosters global outreach, and emphasizes student success.
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English Language and Culture Institute
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English Language and Culture Institute
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SCC offers non-native speakers the opportunity to participate in a full credit program to improve their reading, grammar, composition, and speaking skills through the English Language and Culture Institute.
The English Language and Culture Institute offers Academic English as a Second Language (ESL) and Intensive English (INE) courses embedded with academic, professional, and cultural preparation. The Academic ESL courses enroll students with higher English proficiency. INE courses serve students with lower levels of English proficiency. INE students may or may not be placed using assessment and interview scores. Some coursework also fulfills general education requirements.
ELCI can customize English learning and cultural experiences when requested. The ELCI coordinator will refer students to other resources, such as non-credit ESL, remedial math, and student services when necessary.
Mission
Values
Prepared. Successful. Culturally aware. Community-minded.
Vision
The English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI) will inspire and educate non-native speakers from varied backgrounds. This enables students to communicate successfully in English, contribute to the global community, and progress toward their academic, personal, and career goals. Through varied experiences, ELCI will enhance the understanding of the U.S. and other cultures.
The Following ELCI Credit Courses Are Offered: |
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Academic ESL credit courses
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Intensive English courses (offered in summer and select semesters)
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Below is an example of an ELCI students typical sequence/levels, but students may be placed in varying levels, based on their personal goals and learning needs as well as their skills in different areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking and cultural knowledge. As a general guideline, for planning purposes, international students scoring a 74 and up (at least 17 in all categories) on the TOEFL often would begin at ESL Level 3, 67 to 73 at ESL Level 2, 61-67 at ESL Level 1, 50 to 61 at INE Level 2, and below 50 at INE Level 1, with low scorers perhaps having to repeat the first level. Placement will vary if the ESL Department testing shows the proficiency test does not truly reflect the student’s English skills, if the test is found to be erroneous, if skills in the various sub-skill areas are uneven, or the ESL Chair determines further remediation or culture courses are needed. See proficiency considerations on this page, or contact ESL Chair Dr. Huffman (dhuffman@stchas.edu) for further details. *Full-time college students are enrolled in 15-17 hours of ESL coursework per semester for optimal learning; fewer hours are required at the highest level or when ESL 100 & 199 have been taken. The different ESL 115 courses, which correspond to levels, are usually ONE credit and are taken each semester a student is enrolled in INE/ESL/ECI. ESL 115X Special Topics is another option that may be offered at multiple levels in select semesters. ESL 115 placement/credit each semester is determined by the ELCI chair. Example of an ELCI student's typical sequence/levels (pathways)
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English Language and Culture Institute Brochures
- Academic ESL Program (English)
- Academic ESL Program (Korean).
- Intensive English Program (INE Prefix)*
- Academic ESL Program (Spanish)
- Intensive English Program (Spanish)
- Academic ESL Program (Swahili)
*INE is a part of the English Language and Culture Institute
Useful Information
- Grading Scale Description
- SCC ELCI accreditation article
- 5yr initial SCC English Language and Culture Institute
- ELCI Student Handbook
- Level to Level Progression
- CEFR/ACTFL Leveling
- SCC ELCI Structure
- ESL Pilot Composite Scoring
- More about ESL Accuplacer
- SCC ELCI Curriculum Descriptions (including levels)
English Language and Culture Institute Regular Programs length of weeks and number of start dates
See the Academic Course Schedule for more information *Other special programs may be arranged.
| Program/curriculum: Intensive English |
Program/curriculum: Academic ESL |
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| # of start dates per year | 6 | 5 |
| # of terms per year | 8 | 8 |
| # of weeks per term | 15 weeks, fall/winter; 8 weeks, fall/winter; 8 or 5 weeks, summer; depending on enrollment (requires intensive attendance for those in IEP). | 15 weeks, fall/winter; 8 weeks, fall/winter; 8 or 5 weeks, summer; depending on enrollment |
| # of hours per week | 1-19 offered | 1 to 19 credit hours |
Language Proficiency:
Students must have a high school diploma or the equivalent. The college welcomes students of all English proficiency, but the following information should be considered.
Proficiency Considerations
- F1-visa (international) students should have a 61 on the TOEFL IBT or equivalent test score for potential entrance into Academic ESL or their chosen program with Academic ESL support possible. Some programs may have additional requirements.
- F1-visa (international) students should have a 50 or above on the TOEFL IBT or equivalent score for potential entrance into INE Level 2. Entrance for students into INE courses is during select semesters and also depends on current immigration approval (for F1s). Please write dhuffman@stchas.edu for more information as to the offerings semester by semester.”
- Potential entrance into INE Level 1 requires English Language Institute Chair approval (after TOEFL test, TOEFL equivalent, or appropriate ESL Department testing). Lower-level students should expect to spend more than one semester in Intensive English.
- These test scores are for planning purposes.* A placement test is given when students arrive. All students, regardless of their TOEFL test or equivalent test scores, usually have to take the college ESL/non-native speaker assessment test, which includes reading, listening, grammar, an essay, and an oral interview assessment. After this their program level can be adjusted if needed. (In a very few circumstances, the essay, oral interview and in-office testing may be adequate.)
- Non-native speaker residents (or other visa types) already in the U.S. can simply take the ESL/non-native speaker assessments for proper placement. The college also offers non-credit classes for residents for workplace and home literacy, but these are not available to F1 students.
- Alternatives to the TOEFL score of 61 include the Cambridge (162), Duolingo (90), IELTS (5.5), and GTEC (1076). Other tests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sub-scores on these tests may also be examined.
Placement Process
Non-native speakers need to make an appointment for an ELCI assessment as part of the placement/testing process, which includes the oral interview, writing samples, a read-aloud passage, and possible in-office testing. Students should select ESL Interview and then choose to meet with either Dr. Dawn Huffman, Chair of the English Language Institute (The Academic English as a Second Language (ESL) and Intensive English (INE) programs) or the ESL Specialist listed. During the first week of class, the program further assesses students with a reading, writing, and listening assessment. Students who wish to inquire about the ESL and INE programs or who are unable to schedule an interview time may contact Dr. Dawn Huffman, professor and ELCI chair, at dhuffman@stchas.edu or call 636-922-8574.
For more information about ESL credit courses, contact Dr. Dawn Huffman, English Language and Culture Institute Chair, and associate professor, at dhuffman@stchas.edu or 636-922-8574.
Appeal Process
The English Language and Culture Institute encourages students to appeal their placement when they believe it is incorrect. The appeal may consist of one or more of the multiple measures used as determined by the department. Once a student has entered an ESL/INE/ECI course – no appeal will be allowed. However, if the ESL faculty members believe a non-native speaker has been inaccurately placed, the Academic ESL Department may make adjustments to the student’s placement even after the student is taking Intensive English and ESL courses.
Support Services for Students
The ACE Learning Center has an ESL Specialist as well as English and other content area specialists to work with our non-native speakers. In addition, the ELCI program offers Conversation Circles, acculturation activities, workshops and digital platforms for e-learning. As part of the college, students also have access to Student Services, and International Student Support Services.
Global Outreach and Cultural Experiences
Our English Language Institute is happy to build English learning and international/cultural experiences for the community, students, organizations or international exchanges, and we can direct others to resources to help with English language learning and international/cultural awareness.
Student Cultural Essays, 2020
Cultural Cooking Videos
Support Services for Teachers
The ACE Center and the Chair of the ELCI keep a selection of ESL Textbooks and TESOL materials.
For more information about non-credit classes, see English as a Second Language.
Contact Information
Office Location
Schnare Library, 146C
Office Hours
8:00 - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive
Cottleville, MO 63376
636-922-8000
