American Polytechnic Institute

Description of the English Language Program

American Polytechnic Institute offers a comprehensive and innovative English as a Second Language (ESL) program for non-native speakers with a minimum age of 17. Its primary mission is to help non-native speakers become proficient in English in order to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives in an English-speaking environment. The program offers five options:

• • Intensive ESL: This is a 14-week program carefully designed for adult professionals and students who plan to pursue their studies at universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries or undertake independent studies in English, or those who wish to significantly improve their English language skills. The program involves six levels: Beginner, High beginner, Low-intermediate, Intermediate, High intermediate, Low advanced.
  • Professional English: This is a one 10-week professional and academic English course developed by API for professionals who require English skills in a professional capacity or students who plan to join a graduate university program in English. Students are immersed in language, culture, and work settings of professional and academic environments and involves extensive reading and writing of reports and presentations.
  • General English: This is a single 14-week, 4 hrs per week course. It is a part-time ESL class, focuses on speaking and listening skills, and includes some reading and writing.
  • TOEFL Preparation: This one-course program is designed to help students prepare for their TOEFL exam and involves practicing with past TOEFL tests in a formal exam setting. The course focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
  • Part-Time ESL: In this program, students can chose to enroll in any of the speaking, listening, writing, and grammar sections offered at each of the six levels in the intensive ESL program. Students may enroll in any of these courses depending on their score on a placement test. This option allows students to focus on targeted ESL skills they wish to improve.
    
    

Why take ESL at API?

These unique programs were developed based on best practices in ESL education and are delivered entirely online, combining asynchronous and synchronous delivery, so that there will be as much face-to-face interactions through videoconferencing as in the best onsite programs. This mode of delivery provides significant advantages over onsite programs, including:

• • • Reduced tuition and fees
    • Substantial savings, exceeding 50%, over traditional onsite programs as travel, visas, and living expenses are not required
    • Courses taught by experienced American native speakers
    • All teachers are ESL certified
    • Courses include extended face-to-face interactions, through videoconferencing
    • More flexible schedules for both students and professionals from around the world
    • Integrates best practices in education including active and project-based learning
    • Provide guidance and advising for studies in American colleges and universities

Teaching Methodology

The ESL program at American Polytechnic Institute was designed to satisfy the standards of the Commission on English Accreditation (CEA) (http://www.cea-accredit.org/) . Our teaching methodology is based on the following recognized best practices, some of which are developed by American Polytechnic Institute, that have been shown to be most effective in education in languages and across other disciplines:

• • • Courses delivered online including live student-teacher interactions
    • Active learning
    • Project-based education to foster the most effective learning through meaningful projects
    • Group interactions and collaboration through virtual communication
    • Group teacher-led discussions to provide additional extensive speaking and listening practice
    • Use of various online resources