Intensive English language learning: The pathway to your American education

There are 840 million people who communicate in English worldwide. Over 510 million of these are non-native speakers, making English the globe’s second most-spoken language after Mandarin.

The worldwide circulation of Hollywood blockbuster movies, TV shows and popular music from the U.S. and the U.K. has brought the language into living rooms everywhere, and the global development of the Internet has made the language accessible to everyone, regardless of mitigating factors like location and socio-economic status.

Chilean statistical physicist César Hidalgo and his team at the MIT Media Lab vouch for the global influence of the English language. In 2014, the researchers published a study uncovering the world’s most dominant dialects, and English was identified as the most powerful linguistical force. Data from the study was illustrated in an interactive model called “The Global Language Network”, displaying English as the world’s largest information ‘hub’.

Hidalgo suggests that the model does not present a bias towards the language itself, but through its status as the most predominant language of the Internet, it possesses the ability to connect people across different languages and cultures.

To further emphasize the power of what has become the international lingua franca, a considerable majority of the world’s most successful multinational companies conduct their daily business in English.

With the British Council reporting that speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) far outnumber native speakers, it makes sense that when a business meeting or transaction takes place between parties that speak in different tongues, the common ground enabling them to communicate becomes the English language.

With all these factors in mind, it is clear that international graduates with the ability to demonstrate sound proficiency in English are those more likely to receive promising employment prospects.

All of the world’s most prominent universities require overseas applicants to meet certain English language requirements if it is not their native language. So what if students do not meet those specifications? The best option would be to enroll on an intensive English language program to bring their skills up-to-date, quickly and efficiently.

Receiving a total of 886,052 international students from Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Turkey, Mexico and every other corner of the globe in 2015, the U.S. is by far the world’s most popular study destination, making it the ideal place for students to study ESL and boost their career prospects.

For more than 40 years, students of all cultures and walks of life have pursued an English Language education at the Washington Academy of Languages (WAL), cementing its reputation as one of the world’s premium providers of English language tuition.

As part of the institution’s ongoing efforts to improve educational opportunities for students around the world, WAL became a division of the City University of Seattle (CityU) in 2012, offering a top-quality, relevant education to anyone with a desire to learn.

The Intensive English Language Program at WAL meets the full-time study requirement for F-1 visa students wanting to improve their English to find a job back home, as well as those who need to boost their proficiency to embark on a higher education course at one of America’s world-class universities.

The length of study will depend on a number of factors, including entry placement, future plans and ambitions, and the length of time the student wishes to remain in the United States, though program participants are required to attend the entire five-week session.

With comprehensive tuition in reading, writing, listening and speaking from beginner to advanced levels, WAL caters to the specific needs and abilities of all students, ensuring they leave with the ability to fulfil their aspirations, be it in the world of employment or in further study.

The academy boasts a team of highly-experienced faculty staff, all of whom are fluent in a diverse range of languages, therefore they fully understand the time, effort and dedication it takes to develop strong language proficiency, and are committed to their students’ success.

“I have a personal appreciation for cultural diversity and understand the challenges that come with learning a new language,” says Christine Knorr, academic director of the English Language Programs at WAL.

“I grew up speaking French and English and studied German extensively. But I am not unique! The majority of our staff has studied another language and has lived abroad. Our faculty holds advanced degrees in English Language instruction and they are ready to help you succeed.”

At WAL, English Language students are encouraged to communicate in English with like-minded peers, allowing them to develop the conversational fluency that is hugely beneficial in today’s globalized economy. Students are encouraged to discuss personal experiences, in addition to covering the information gained through in-class reading, writing and listening activities. Not only does this firmly ingrain the language knowledge learned, it is also a great way to make friends and is really good fun!

English is the fastest-spreading language in the history of civilization, spoken fluently by one in every four people around the world, and proficiently utilized by an estimated 565 million people on the web. With the constant expansion and improvement of global networking services, the use of the English language will continue to rise steadily, making now as good a time as any to hone those crucial communication skills. And with America’s reputation as the international leader in higher education, there is no better place to pursue ESL training and improve future employment prospects.

Read on to learn more about the top U.S. universities providing comprehensive intensive English language tuition …

WASHINGTON ACADEMY OF LANGUAGES, CITY UNIVERSITY OF SEATTLE
The Washington Academy of Languages (WAL) provides intensive language tuition for non-native English speakers around the globe. The institution is committed to improving educational opportunities for students worldwide, joining with the City University of Seattle in 2012 to offer high-quality, relevant education to anyone who has a passion for learning. The primary target population for the Intensive English Language Program is non-native English speakers whose objective is to improve their English proficiency in order to study at a U.S. institution of higher learning or for other purposes. WAL also trains students in a number of world languages and offers graduate Certificate Programs in Teaching ESL and Bilingual Education. University credit is offered for these programs through City University of Seattle.

THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE INSTITUTE (ALCI CHICO) CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Located on the campus of California State University, Chico, ALCI Chico offers five, seven-week sessions of intensive English language instruction per year to international students of all proficiency levels, from beginning to advanced. The program facilitates a transition from an intensive English language program to an academic program at Chico State or to other colleges and universities in the United States, and provides general English language skills for students’ personal and professional growth, as well as an introduction to American culture and the higher education system in California and the broader United States.

INTO OSU, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
INTO OSU delivers programs that promote academic, professional and personal success. Its commitment to providing an outstanding experience makes INTO OSU English language programs an ideal choice for students looking to improve their English skills at a U.S. university. The General English program consists of 5-week sessions designed for students of all levels of English who want to develop communication skills in many social and professional situations while learning about American culture. The institution also provides comprehensive tuition in academic English.

ADVANCED ENGLISH PROGRAM, UC SANTA BARBARA EXTENSION
The Advanced English Program (AEP) at UC Santa Barbara Extension is designed for high-level English students. Classes are held 24 hours a week with additional homework assigned each day, allowing students to work hard and improve quickly. The Academic English track is designed for students who intend to study at a university in the U.S. – the program focuses on English language skills essential to academic success, the development of critical thinking and research skills, and preparation for the TOEFL iBT fluency test. In addition, the program familiarizes students with American university culture, communication and classroom expectations.

INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM, KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
The Intensive English Program at Kennesaw State University offers beginning through advanced classes in English. These workshops are specially-designed to prepare ESL students for university study at prestigious institutions in the U.S. The institution offers full-time and part-time study schedules to fit around students’ busy lives. All courses run for eight weeks, and are ideally located in the northwest Atlanta, Georgia area on Kennesaw State University’s main campus.