COOKEVILLE – Tennessee Tech University is now enrolling students in the university’s new Center for English as a Second Language (CESL).
“We launched the center last August to assist students in developing language skills and become more confident in speaking English,” said Charles Wilkerson, Tech’s Director of International Education. “We also want them to become more comfortable in reading and writing in an academic setting and to be better prepared to enter the university.”
According to Wilkerson, the university operated other such programs in the past, including the English Language Institute in the 1970s and FLS International, which was contracted to serve Tech from 2012 to 2018. The new CESL is wholly operated by Tennessee Tech’s Foreign Languages Department and the Office of International Education.
The goal of the intensive English program at the CESL includes helping in the following discipline areas: grammar and writing, listening and speaking, reading and discussion, as well as vocabulary development.
Classes are currently underway for the Spring 2022 semester. The next available session is March 7, 2022.
Pricing for the program is not based on a credit hour but offered at a flat rate of $2,400 for seven weeks (Monday through Thursday) or $4,800 for the full semester. Students can also opt to take one of the separate focus area disciplines at a cost $700 for seven weeks per discipline. The program offers five different levels.
“We will be offering a super intensive program soon,” said Wilkerson. “It will be for five days a week that will include more electives like idioms, American culture class, mock university class, pronunciation, guest speakers and test prep. We have also approached some government-based programs in hopes of welcoming groups from abroad.”
Student referrals for the program are welcome. To make a referral or for more information, visit www.tntech.edu/CESL. Those interested may also call (931) 372-3634 or email intl_adm@tntech.edu.
