English as a Second
Language (ESL) - a world-class program offering individual
attention
Academic Programs for Ages 14-18
Recognized throughout the world for its excellence, Cushing’s five-week
summer program in English as a Second Language (ESL) is highly recommended
for students who plan to continue their education in the United
States. However, many of our summer ESL students return home to complete
their education. Through a carefully planned curriculum, Cushing’s
immersion experience in American English can have a dramatic and
enduring impact upon your fluency.
How to listen & speak, read & write English
The morning ESL program consists of two 2-hour
skills classes: one to enhance listening and speaking,
the other to focus on reading and writing. In every
course, emphasis is placed on study skills including
organizational skills, note-taking methods and testtaking
strategies.
You can significantly increase your English proficiency
in just five weeks. Small class size and skilled,
supportive teachers are the keys to the success of
this program. Cushing has a large ESL faculty with
extensive experience teaching English as a Second
Language, both during the regular academic year and
the Summer Session. For this reason, we can create
homogeneous classes tailored to meet your needs.
You are tested upon arrival and carefully evaluated
each week to make sure you are placed in the correct
level of instruction. For example, if you have
stronger aural/oral skills than reading/writing skills,
you are placed in appropriately challenging classes
in each concentration.
Teachers meet regularly to discuss your progress and
facilitate placement changes, if needed, as your skills
improve during the program.
Orientation to Life in the
USA
Integrated Skills for Advanced Students Preparing for TOEFL iBT
TOEFL
Orientation to Life in the USA
Cushing’s summer ESL program provides a secure
setting that enables you to gain knowledge and
understanding of life in the United States in addition
to providing an intensive English language learning
experience in the classroom.
In elective classes and sports activities and through
participation in the arts and dorm life, you have the
opportunity to practice your language skills. You
build friendships while you enjoy daily interactions
with your American and international peers attending
Cushing for the Summer Session. Moreover,
through class trips, excursions and special activities
you have an opportunity to travel to places of cultural
and historic significance.
The Cushing experience helps you achieve a level of
language proficiency, social comfort and self-assurance
that lasts long after the Summer Session has ended.
Integrated Skills for Advanced Students Preparing for TOEFL iBT
If you are a rising junior (11th grader), senior (12th
grader), or post-graduate, possess advanced proficiency
in English (achieve over 125 on the SLEP test
or provide other evidence of your advanced language
skills, such as an affidavit from a guidance counselor,
Academic Dean, or the Director of ESL at your
school) and wish to:
- improve your English grammar and sentence structure,
- expand your vocabulary,
- hone your reading and listening skills,
- refine your essay writing skills, and
- practice intensively for the new internet-based Test
of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) in
order to apply to a college or university in the U.S.,
TOEFL this new four-hour course is the perfect choice for
Summer 2008.
In addition to the grade-level and English proficiency
criteria needed to enroll in this course, class size will
be limited to 12 qualified students. Not only will you
take pre- and post-tests in all sections of the TOEFL
iBT, but you will also periodically complete an entire
practice (unofficial) test. Students unable to keep up
with the fast pace of this course will be placed in a
standard ESL class.
If you wish to take an official TOEFL iBT during the
summer, you or your parents must register at a local
test site. See explanation below under TOEFL for
details.
NOTE: Students must bring a laptop that has a Windowsbased
operating system in order to enroll in this course.
There will be no exceptions to this requirement.
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
is a computerized test that most ESL students must
take before applying to an American college or university.
Cushing’s ESL Program Coordinator will help
you secure transportation to an official TOEFL testing
site in the area. (You will be responsible for the
cost of the transportation, however.) Spaces at official
testing sites fill quickly because registration is done
electronically; therefore, if you are interested in taking
the TOEFL while you are studying at Cushing
Summer Session, your parents must register you in
advance at Worcester Prometric in Worcester, Massachusetts
(phone: 508.853.7250) for a test date
between July 12 and August 2, 2008.
NOTE: The testing fee of approximately $140 is the
responsibility of your family. You may find more information
at www.ets.org/toefl/.
