English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes

If you need to improve your English skills before beginning your academic classes, this program is ideal.

Definitions and Descriptions for Florida College System Institutions:

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) refers to English language programs that focus on helping international and immigrant students acquire the advanced competencies in academic English that will be necessary for them to complete their degree program. Students completing EAP courses must have earned at least a high school diploma. EAP courses teach students the conventions of research, composition, and documentation necessary to produce rigorous academic and professional work.

English as a Second Language for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses improve your English skills, including grammar, reading, writing, listening and speaking. These credit courses are designed to prepare a non-native English speaker for success in a chosen degree program. These courses are offered every semester and cost the same as all credit courses.

CF does not require English Proficiency test scores for international student admission. CF students take a placement test to assess their English and mathematics proficiency. Students whose test results show adequate skills will be eligible for college-level, degree coursework. Others will be required to take English as a Second Language for academic purposes classes until language requirements have been met.

PERT Placement Test Scores for Non-Native English Speakers and Enrollment in EAP and Degree Program Courses:

Accuplacer ESL Placement Test Scores For Non-Native English Speakers and Enrollment in EAP and College Level Courses:

*Requires PERT scores above 106 above reading and above 103 on writing, otherwise EAP level 2 is recommended.

Alternative Placement Testing for Non-Native English Speakers

CF does not require English Proficiency test scores for international student admission; however, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) and Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP EIKEN), no older than 12 months, are accepted.
The following chart shows the minimum accepted scores for placement directly into ENC1101.
These test scores will only be accepted prior to the first day of class. Students submitting alternative test scores that meet the minimum requirement as indicated in the graph below must still take the mathematics section of the PERT placement test.

Course Descriptions

The following ESL for academic courses are offered at the College of Central Florida.

ESL Combined Skills – Level 1 (4 Credits)

This integrated course, designed for non-native students with varying levels of English proficiency, covers the four skills of reading, writing, grammar and speaking/listening, as well as improving pronunciation and building vocabulary. Students will develop established skills through classroom activities, multicultural interaction and interactive language software with voice-mapping technology to better prepare themselves for academic study. The course is also intended for community members with high school diplomas who wish to increase proficiency through more rigorous study.

ESL Combined Skills – Level 2 (4 Credits)

This is a skill-based course specifically designed for ESL and international students. However, it is also recommended for all students who score 41 and below on the reading section of the CPT test. Students will develop the ability to read academic texts on contemporary and literary topics with an emphasis on extensive reading and the enhancement of critical reading skills.

ESL Grammar & Writing – Level 1 (4 Credits)

This course is designed for students whose primary language is not English and whose placement scores indicate the need for instruction in writing coherent, unified paragraphs. The primary focus of the course will be English grammar and the ability to write effective paragraphs. Students will be required to pass an objective final exam and timed writing assessment to be successful in this course.

ESL Grammar & Writing – Level 2 (4 Credits)

This course is designed for students whose primary language is not English and whose placement scores indicate the need for instruction in writing coherent, unified essays. The primary focus of the course will be essay writing, and grammar skills will be incorporated into written assignments. Students will be required to pass an objective final exam and timed writing assessment to be successful in this course. Students are required to have successfully completed EAP 0384C to enroll in this course and/or were not required to take EAP 0384C based on placement test scores.

Speech and Listening (4 Credits)

This is a skill-based course for students with limited proficiency in English. Students focus on speech and listening skills as they pertain to second language education. Particular emphasis will be placed on the improvement of students’ communication skills and fluency. This course teaches pronunciation, intonation, word and sentence stress, as well as structures in everyday communication. Students will develop the ability to communicate in most social situations, clarify or rephrase statements to facilitate communication, and use language that is socially and culturally appropriate. This course incorporates the use of the interactive language laboratory for instruction and reinforcement.