When English Isn't Your First Language

Proficiency in both spoken and written English is a necessity for your success in the American educational system. Build your skills every day and take English as Second language (ESL) or English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. These classes will not only help you with your English skills but help you make friends who understand what you are going through. Your experiences coming to the United States may also include war, hardships and fear. There will be others in the classes who will understand your experience and your dreams for the future.

There are difference in cultures, traditions, society and most important – slang.

Get out into your community and learn your town and city. Work hard on making friends – it will help with the loneliness and help with your English skills at the same time!

Share your home culture with your American friends and fellow students – everyone gets to learn then – and to appreciate each other. Share in your classes – you may understand world events from an entirely different perspective than your US born fellow students.

Have paper, pencils and a dictionary around you all the time, so you can readily practice.

The more you attend your classes and the harder you work, the faster the language skills will come – so stick it out – even if you are frustrated beyond belief right now.

Practice your reading, writing and speaking – everywhere and anywhere. See if your television has a closed captioning feature. Use the closed captioning feature to listen and read at the same time.

Testing

Since English is not your native language, in addition to the traditional college admissions tests, you will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test. Colleges want to make sure that you have a certain level of English skills so that going to college is an obtainable goal.

The TOEFL has three major sections consisting of

· Listening Comprehension

This test section covers everyday conversations as heard on
TV, radio and in class.

· Structure and Written Expression

This test section covers accuracy and grammar.

· Reading Comprehension

This test section covers everyday vocabulary.

How do you prepare for the TOEFL? Practice listening, reading and writing English every chance you get every day. It will take lots of practice. Take a TOEFL test preparation class. There are books also available to help you.

If the college(s) you are looking at need to test your writing composition ability levels, then you will also need to take the Test of Written English (TWE) which may be taken by anyone.

It takes most students two years to learn conversational English and additional five to seven years to truly become proficient. In taking other standardized college admissions tests, for examples, ACTs and SATs, will require extra preparation on your part so you can readily handle the English within the time periods allowed for each part of the test.

Click here for more information on testing.

Heritage

Even as you are acquiring American English skills, you should not abandon your native language (your mother tongue) and culture. Your native language is a part of your identity and your heritage. It provides links to family and your sense of community.

Knowing two or more languages and cultures is only a benefit as we move to a truly global economy and society. Knowing two or more languages seems to set the stage for success in education and will make you more employable.

The Internet

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination
www.avidonline.org

Department of Education
Office of Bilinqual Education & Minority Language Affairs
www.ed.gov/offices/OBEMLA

National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE)
www.nabe.org

National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education (NCBE)
www.ncbe.gwu.edu

For Information on the TOEFL and TWE
The College Board
www.collegeboard.org

COLLEGE CALL CHECKLIST

IF ENGLISH ISN’T YOUR FIRST LANGUAGE

Does your college have advanced English As A Second Language Classes?

What is the minimum test score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) allowed for admission?

What is the test score range on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) that they recommend for students?

What is the minimum test score for the Test of Written Language (TWE)?

Do you have a special office or admissions rep that works with foreign-born students?

Is there specialized counseling available?

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© 2003 [Wildwood Country Press]. All rights reserved. Revised: September 12, 2003 .

© 2003 [Wildwood Country Press]. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 12, 2003 .