English as a Second
Language
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ESL Certificate Program Details
Total Classes
6 (subject to placement testing)
Program Duration
1 year
Location
- Washington, DC
- Falls Church, VA
MSCHE Accredited
University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Experienced Language Instructors
Instructors in the ESL program at Potomac are experienced teaching English to students from all backgrounds. They’re ready to help you build the language skills you need to succeed in college or the workplace.
A Diverse, Immigrant-Friendly Community
Our Washington, DC and Falls Church, VA campuses are home to students from many cultures and countries. We are dedicated to helping anyone who is committed to improving their English skills achieve their goals.
ESL Program Overview
Being able to understand, speak, and write fluent English is crucial for immigrants who want to access opportunities in employment or education. Potomac’s English as a Second Language program is an in-person certificate program designed to help you build confidence in your written and spoken English. Our instructors will test what you already know, then choose the classes you need to address your strengths and weaknesses.
What You Will Learn
Build Professional English Skills
Develop your ability to listen to spoken English and hold a conversation. Build a vocabulary for use in business or college-level education. Practice reading and writing and prepare for common English skill tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS®) exam and the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT).
You’ll also be introduced to college-level composition and research, with a project that challenges you to research a topic, write a paper about it, and then present your topic in a spoken presentation.
We Meet You Where You Are
When you enroll in our ESL certificate program, you’ll take a placement test to determine the level at which you already understand English. We’ll also determine where your strengths and weaknesses are so we can help you practice the skills that need the most support. It’s our goal to help you make progress with English so you can start your college education or career search with confidence.
Courses and Curriculum
Students will take six of the following courses, depending on their level of fluency:
- ESL010 Beginning Listening and Speaking
- ESL011 Beginning Reading
- ESL012 Beginning Writing and Grammar
- ESL020 Intermediate Listening and Speaking
- ESL021 Intermediate Reading
- ESL022 Intermediate Writing and Grammar
- ESL030 High Intermediate Listening and Speaking
- ESL031 High Intermediate Reading
- ESL032 High Intermediate Writing and Grammar
- ESL040 Advanced Listening and Speaking
- ESL041 Advanced Reading
- ESL042 Advanced Writing and Grammar
- ESL050 Academic Preparation Listening and Speaking
- ESL051 Academic Preparation Reading
- ESL052 Academic Preparation Writing and Grammar
- ESL060 Gateway to Standardized Testing
- ESL061 IELTS Testing Practice
- ESL062 TOEFL iBT Testing Practice
Requirements and Outcomes
Graduates of the ESL program will be able to:
- Successfully compete at the collegiate level with peers and native speakers.
- Speak with minimal accent and preparation to a topic which they have researched or about which they are familiar.
- Respond in oral and/or written fashion to an integrated activity designed to compare a reading passage and a lecture.
- Write an academically competitive research and/or opinion paper, exercising proper citation technique and using a variety of primary and/or secondary sources.
- Comprehend and articulate the topic, main ideas, and supporting details contained in a reading passage or spoken lecture.
- Initiate and lead teamwork while managing multicultural communication and resolving conflicts.
Our program is for high school graduates. To apply, you must complete the following steps:
- Submission of a completed application for admission.
- Submission of a signed attestation of high school (or equivalent) completion.
- Equivalencies can include GED certificates or international credentials that meet our international admissions standards. Home-schooled students must present a diploma that meets the high school graduation requirements of the state in which it was issued.
- Arrange for official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended to be submitted to the Office of Records and Registration, University of the Potomac.
- Submit grade reports or scores from any recognized college-equivalency examinations (e.g., CLEP, DANTES, and Advanced Placement).
- Submit certificates from any corporate education training or professional development programs. (Note: An ACE evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for corporate educational training.)
- Submit military training documents. (Note: An ACE military evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for military training.)
- Complete an admissions interview (in person or virtual).
Tuition is calculated per class. Most students take six classes to complete the certificate. Costs below are for domestic (U.S.-based) students only:
- ESL Certificate Tuition: $880 per class
Additional fees may apply. Learn more here.
Ready to Get Started?
Build the English skills that can help you achieve your educational and professional goals. Talk to a University of the Potomac admissions advisor today!