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  • English Programs in Local Community

    Opportunities to study English as a Second Language (ESL) at Cornell and in Ithaca, and resources to assist you with written and spoken English.

    Cornell-Affiliated English Courses

    Related Cornell English Resources

    Non-Cornell English Courses



    Cornell-Affiliated English Courses

    English for International Students and Scholars

    The School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions offers non-credit courses in the Fall, Spring, and Summer for visiting scholars, students, spouses, and anyone else seeking improvement in various English skills. Courses focus on grammar and conversational activities to give practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking English. Field trips are scheduled to provide opportunities for discussion with native English speakers and insight into American culture and history. I-20s are administered for full-time study only during the 6 week summer program. Refer to the following links for official course descriptions and class times: English for International Students and Scholars Program www.sce.cornell.edu/exec. For more information, please contact cusp@cornell.edu or Mary K. Redmond ,program director, at 254-6502 or mkr4@cornell.edu

    English for Academic Purposes (EngAP)

    The EngAP program serves mainly matriculated non-native English speakers, mostly graduate but also undergraduate, at Cornell University; it also serves, to a lesser extent, non-degree students, qualified employees, and visiting scholars and student spouses. The program offers an array of credit-bearing courses designed to help students develop competence in written academic discourse and in spoken English in academic and non-academic situations. For more information, please contact Deborah Campbell at dc20@cornell.edu.

    Cornell Campus Club (CCC) ESL Classes

    The CCC organizes daytime and evening non-credit English classes led by volunteers. The classes are open to all members of the Cornell community, but are especially geared towards spouses of students and visiting academic staff. The registration fee is $20/semester, which includes up to three classes per week. Class schedules are available at the ISSO at the beginning of each semester. For further information go to www.campusclub.cornell.edu/ESL/ESL.html. If you have questions, click on the Coordinator link to send an email.

    Related Cornell English Resources

    Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines

    The Knight Institute supports writing seminars and writing intensive courses in a broad spectrum of academic disciplines and at all levels of undergraduate education; it also provides tutorial writing classes and tutoring services for faculty, staff, and graduate students. For more information, please visit www.arts. cornell.edu/knight_institute/institute/overview.html.

    The Language Pairing Program

    Operated by the Cornell Public Service Center, this program provides conversation partners for anyone interested in learning or teaching a language. If you are interested, you may visit the Public Service Center at 200 Barnes Hall, call at 255-1148 or visit www.psc.cornell. edu/lppindex.htm. (On the web site you may click on the link "apply online".)

    Non-Cornell English Courses

    BOCES

    BOCES Offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at all levels to individuals living in the Ithaca area who are over 18 years of age and do not have a US high school diploma. Both morning and evening courses are offered in downtown Ithaca (F-1 and some J-1 students are NOT eligible for these classes). Instruction is free, though you may have to buy your books. Supplementary distance learning materials (Crossroads Cafe) are also available. Enrollment is ongoing. To schedule a placement test or for more information, call 273-4095 between 9 A.M. and noon, Monday through Friday. The BOCES ESL Office is at 318 North Albany Street in the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (G.I.A.C.), which is on the southwest corner of Court Street and Albany Street.

    BOCES also offers an English Speaking and Listening Tutorial Program that includes 26 half-hour sessions with a private teacher in addition to work at home. The focus is on speaking and listening skills for people whose proficiency levels or positions as university students make them ineligible for BOCES’ free classes. The fee for the program is $450. Call 273-4095.

    Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3)

    TC3 offers intermediate and advanced level English courses designed to prepare students to begin college level study in the U.S. Classes start every September and January. To enroll, students must take the College’s Michigan Test or provide a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score to the Admissions Office. Contact the Admissions Office at 844-8211, ext. 4320 for more information.

    Cascadilla School

    Located near Cornell at 116 Summit Avenue, Cascadilla School offers ESL and other courses to high school and adult students. Language classes focus on TOEFL preparation, conversation, reading, writing, and grammar. In addition, the school offers courses in history, economics, computer programming, and Driver’s Education. The cost of attending is approximately $1000 per term, plus the cost of books and materials; dormitory accommodations are also available for a fee. Classes begin early September. For more information, contact Joyce Lawrence or John Kendall at 272-3110. The school is authorized to issue I-20 forms.

    Kaplan Test Prep

    Located at 409 College Avenue in Collegetown, Kaplan provides extensive preparation for the TOEFL and helps students improve their ability to use English in a U.S. academic setting. The eight-week long, fee-based courses include classroom study and guided individual work in Kaplan’s multi-media lab. Tuition is $1000. Kaplan is authorized to issue I-20 forms. For more information, call Alison Wolfe at 277-3307.

    Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca - Accent Modification Program

    Refine your pronunciation of English to enhance your business, professional, and social skills

    Benefits of Accent Modification:

    • Improve speech clarity
    • Improve pronunciation of vocabulary specific to your work
    • Increase self confidence for oral presentations
    • Achieve a significant change in accent

    (A greater than 50% change is possible with diligent class attendance and outside practice.)

    Program length depends on your individual analysis. We offer two programs: 7 weeks and 13 weeks For more information call Cayuga Medical Center's Speech-Language Pathology 607) 274-4504.