ROANOKE – Virginia Western Community College announces a new intensive English program beginning in January that is designed to provide international and English as a Second Language (ESL) students with the necessary academic English and study skills to take the TOEFL and/or Compass exam and succeed in college classes.

The program, Access ESL and College Preparation (AECP), will give students opportunities to acquire English listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar and pronunciation skills. AECP will also teach valuable study skills to help students understand what is expected in U.S. college classes so they can achieve their best results whether at Virginia Western or elsewhere.

A new student orientation will be held Jan. 5 with the 2012 program launching on Jan. 9. Interested students should visit http://www.virginiawestern.edu/workforce/programs/accessesl.php or contact Ginny Rossin at (540) 314-0992 or vrossin@virginiawestern.edu.

The program consists of three 15-week semesters (one year); however students may attend for shorter or longer periods depending on their skill levels upon entry and individual students’ needs and goals. The curriculum consists of non-credit college preparation courses so students can enter programs of study at accredited colleges or universities.

AECP is an educational consulting firm that serves as a liaison for international and ESL students interested in studying at Virginia Western.

The program is designed to allow students to progress through these skill levels:

• Skill Level I (ESLA 2601): A basic beginner level course for students with little or no academic English training, and with oral communication limited to frequently used phrases in predictable need areas.
• Skill Level II (ESLA 2602): Fluency skills are emerging through the use of learned material and students are beginning to combine skills to form limited interaction with others. Students can ask questions and make statements about topics learned in class and are able to write paragraphs and understand short readings.
• Skill Level III (ESLA 2603): In this course, students possess a strong grasp functional English language skills and exhibit creativity and spontaneity in their interactions with others and in their work. Students are capable of more complex topics at slightly more depth of content. Students can compose essays in variety of genre.
• Skill Level IV (ESLA 2604): Students in this course employ a variety of communication strategies to initiate conversation and discuss topics at greater length and depth. These students are generally understood by native English speakers, can differentiate between formal and informal communication, and are becoming aware of nuances. Students can compose longer essays and research papers.