English as a Second Language Program (ESL)
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Kean University provides high-quality instruction for matriculated students who are nonnative speakers of English and who require additional development in academic English.
After admission to the University, students complete placement testing. This includes oral, writing, and reading assessments. Freshmen are required to take these tests. Incoming English as a Second Language (ESL) transfer students who have not received transfer credit for college-level Composition must take Kean’s ESL reading and writing placement tests for placement into appropriate-level ESL courses. For further information about ESL placement testing, call the Placement Testing Office at (908) 737-0340 or by email at testing@kean.edu. You may also contact the ESL Office at (908) 737-0420 or email esl@kean.edu.
After students complete their testing, they receive a Letter of Advisement from the ESL Program informing them of their ESL level and course requirements. There are five levels in the ESL Program, each building on the one before. Each level consists of a required 6-credit writing core course and a 3-credit corequisite reading course. Some students will also need to take another 3-credit auxiliary course in speaking/listening or grammar depending on their language skills. Placement in the core courses is determined by placement testing, as described above. Once placed in a core level, students complete the rest of their ESL program sequentially. Students exit the ESL program’s core courses by completing ENG 1430, Composition II for Non-native Speakers, and ESL 0405 Academic Discourse II. Placement in the auxiliary courses is determined by initial placement testing, or by teacher assessment of areas needing intensive support. The English Department, Communications, and General Education offer a few courses with a designated L-section for non-native speakers. These L-sections provide the same content as other sections but give additional attention to the ongoing language development of non-native speakers. After exiting the ESL program, non-native speakers may enroll, if they choose, in L-designated sections, where such sections are offered.
Courses in the ESL program are designated either with an ESL prefix or an ENG prefix. Courses with an ESL prefix are not offered for graduation credit but carry institutional credit for purpose of determining total semester course load. Courses with an ENG prefix earn credit toward the degree