English Language Support

Criteria | Course Descriptions

 

Criteria

At Hiram College we believe that improving skill in a second language is an integral part of the general education requirement for all students. Because of this, Hiram offers English Language Support Courses to serve academically qualified candidates whose first language is not English and whose English language proficiency scores fall within one of the following score ranges:

  • TOEFL—Paper 500-550; CBT: 173-212; iBT: 61-79
  • IELTS—Band score 5.5 – 6.4
  • Pearson PTE—Academic Score 50-58

Admitted students whose scores fall within the ranges listed above are required to complete four English support courses during their first year at Hiram. Small classes, averaging five to ten students, offer individual attention and many opportunities for speaking and writing English.

Unlike many U.S. colleges and universities that consider such courses to be remedial, Hiram recognizes them to be higher-level foreign language courses for non-native speakers. A student who successfully completes these courses earns academic credits toward the Bachelor of Arts degree.  

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Course Descriptions

The ability to communicate effectively is important, no matter what major you choose. Beginning with your first course, Hiram’s emphasis on writing across the curriculum will help you expand communication skills in more than one discipline.

Fall semester, a student will enroll in a Freshman Colloquium course and an intermediate level English grammar course; in spring semester, First-year Seminar and advanced English grammar courses. Students who are required to complete English support classes as a condition of their admission enroll in freshman colloquium FRCL 190 - The American Mosaic and first-year seminar FSEM 190-The American Mosaic Part II.  Colloquium and first-year seminar courses are required of all students for the Bachelor of Arts degree at Hiram College.

  • FRCL 190 - The American Mosaic Colloquium uses reading assignments, cultural excursions, class discussion, campus activities, individual and written work to explore the great variety of experiences that make up contemporary life and culture in the U.S.  Student goals in verbal self-expression are to write effectively and to communicate well in oral presentations.
  • FSEM190 - First-Year Seminar, The American Mosaic II, continues an in-depth investigation of culture, literature, and history in the U.S. The seminar requires that students complete a full-length research paper, demonstrate proficiency in Western research methods and techniques, and improve oral and written expression in English.
  • Intermediate English Grammar (ESL200) and Advanced English Grammar (ESL 300) courses enable the student to develop and refine the knowledge of the English language through a systematic study of important grammar concepts and their usage.  They are designed to enhance syntactic skills in English and build vocabulary while focusing on the American idiom. Both course include practicing and developing oral and listening comprehension skills with a particular emphasis on the rhetorical aspects of academic English. Language laboratory work is required.

In addition to English support courses, students enroll in introductory-level courses in other departments at the College. These courses are chosen on the basis of a student's interests and the academic advisor's guidance. No matter what courses are selected, even without transfer credit, students who complete the four-course sequence in English support courses can finish their Bachelor of Arts degree within four years.

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