Description
Our Program
In the Milwaukee School of Engineering's intensive English program, students will improve their understanding of English in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary. The curriculum to develop these skills is centered on a content-based curriculum. While learning Academic English, they will also learn about topics in the STEM fields, business and healthcare, all growing and highly competitive fields in today’s economy, and undergraduate majors here at MSOE. Living and studying in the United States will also provide them with insight into American academic and every day culture. Our classes are small--12 students is our biggest class--so students have many opportunities to practice and directly engage with and receive personalized feedback from our instructors. Upon successful completion of our program, students are eligible to study as an MSOE undergraduate or Dual Admission student without having to take the TOEFL or IELTS test.
Our Curriculum
Intensive Academic English
The courses we offer have the capacity to be tailored to meet the unique needs students in levels ranging from Pre-Intermediate to Advanced. Our program consists of four “core” classes:
Academic Reading and Writing Academic Listening and Speaking Intensive Grammar Intensive Writing OR Academic Research Paper (Advanced level)
The final class that rounds out a five-class schedule is an elective. Our electives include:
Academic Conversational Strategies Professional Presentations and Technology Vocabulary for Engineering, Business, or Nursing Foundations of Algebra and the Scientific Method Academic Study Skills Foundations of English Orthography Strategic Test Taking Skills Pronunciation Principles *an individualized Language Lab (in addition to the 5th class)
In all of our classes, attention is paid to the student’s cultural awareness in the academic environment and the development of strategies that will help them to be successful in an American university classroom.
Dual Admission (Bridge) Program
The Dual Admission Track is designed for qualifying international students whose English proficiency is slightly below the minimum required level to enter MSOE. Students admitted on the dual admission track will be enrolled in two undergraduate for-credit courses and two to three ESL courses, also for-credit. Courses are designed to give students the opportunity to develop their language skills alongside of advanced academic skills they will need to be successful at MSOE, such as writing a lab report. Courses must be successfully completed for the student to move to full admission the following quarter.
Dual Admission ESL for-credit courses:
Intensive Grammar Application Analysis of Academic Texts and Lectures Academic Research Paper Introduction to Primary Research and Data Analysis
Our Schedule
MSOE’s ESL program runs on 10-week schedule, and has 2 5-week sessions in the summer. Our classes run Monday through Thursday, from 9:00am-4:00pm, with 10 minute breaks between classes and one hour for lunch. On Fridays we offer classes from 9:00am-12:00pm. This results in 23-25 hours of interactive instruction per week, depending on the level of the student.
Our Instructors
Our instructors and staff have a wide range of experience working with students of all ages, from all over the world. All of our instructors have completed a Master’s degree in TESOL, linguistics, education, or international education and most have experience teaching abroad. At MSOE, we are committed to staying up-to-date with current trends in language education so that our students are receiving the most effective instruction in the classroom.
Activities and Facilities
Our program hosts activities each quarter to engage students in different types of cultural activities, from decorating pumpkins to volunteering at a food pantry. We also celebrate and explain the significance of American holidays. We have created a program called “Bridging Boarders” that links willing students with American families or an American conversation partner for a more in-depth experience of our culture.
Students who attend MSOE's ESL program have free access to all of the facilities on our campus as a student of our university. They can access the campus gym and sports complex, use the library and printing services, and participate in the many clubs and activities MSOE has to offer.
Programs
