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At Bishop's University there are a number of options for the study of English language, speech and composition. All courses and programmes are designed to help students to improve their level of competence in English so as to better achieve their academic and career objectives.
All Students
All full-time students in regular degree programmes are obliged to satisfy the English Writing Proficiency requirement before they graduate. Second-language students who are not sufficiently advanced to pass the English Writing Proficiency Exemption Exam may be permitted or encouraged to take ESL courses as an alternative to EWP 099: English Writing Proficiency.
Students (first- or second-language) who have satisfied the English Writing Proficiency requirement may take ELA 116: Effective Writing, ELA 201: Advanced Composition, or ELA 202: Speech in order to further develop communication and presentation skills. Please note that these courses may not be counted towards a Minor, Major, or Honours in English Literature.
Education Students
Students in the Secondary Teacher Education Programme must take six credits of English (ELA 116, and ELA 201 or ELA 202 or equivalent). For purposes of scheduling and course selection, please note that ELA 201 and ELA 202 are offered in alternating years.
Science Students
Students entering a four-year programme in Sciences are required to take ELA 116 (or an equivalent)
Exchange Students
Exchange students are not required to take the English Writing Proficiency Test or the Bishop's University ESL placement test. However, they are strongly encouraged to make sure: (1) that they possess a level of English adequate for their area of study, and (2) that the English language (or ESL) courses that they wish to take are acceptable to their home institution. Exchange students are encouraged to take the Bishop's University ESL placement test.
Second-Language Students
Part-time ESL students should contact the Office of Continuing Education to arrange for language testing and course selection.
Full-time second-language students in any university programme may take ESL or ELA (English Language) courses as free electives in order to improve their overall competence in English. As many as five ESL/ELA courses may be taken per term, depending on programme requirements and schedules. Quebec Loans and Bursaries are not affected by the inclusion of ESL courses in a regular course load.
Second-language students (intermediate to advanced level) may enroll in full-time Intensive English Language Studies within the Division of Humanities. Those who have completed the appropriate ESL/ELA credits may be eligible for a Certificate of Proficiency in English as a Second Language.
Second-language students (intermediate to advanced level) may take a Minor in English Language Studies in conjunction with a major or concentration in another discipline.
Second-language students (intermediate to advanced level) may combine an English Language specialization with one in German, French, Italian or Spanish for a Modern Languages Major.
Second-Language Students: Level of Studies
For assessment, the university may consider the following information:
- performance in previous English as a second language courses (for example, CEGEP English courses at the 604-100 level, private courses, or courses at other universities or institutions, courses at Bishop's.
- demonstrated functional ability in an English milieu.
- results from international tests (for example, TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc.).
- results from the Bishop's University ESL Placement Test (written and oral component).
The University reserves the right to re-assess and re-assign students if their in-class performance is inappropriate (i.e., too strong or too weak) for the level of instruction. (Any concerns about placement should immediately be brought to the attention of the course instructor.)
Second-language students with native or near-native fluency, and students who have already completed a degree at an Anglophone university, are not normally permitted to take ESL courses.
Second-Language Students: Beginners Level
Typical Indicators:
- many grammatical and pronunciation problems; difficulty understanding language at normal speed; difficulty participating in ordinary conversation; difficulty producing continuous discourse; many difficulties in writing.
- lower-than-average results in CEGEP 604-101 & 102 level English courses.
- below 40% on the Bishop's University ESL Placement Test.
- below 480/157 on the TOEFL.
- below 4.5 on the IELTS test.
- below 575 on the TOEIC.
Courses and Programmes for Beginners:
Students at this level are not permitted to enroll in the Minor, Major, or Intensive English Language programmes. However, they may take beginners English as a second language courses (ESL 70 or ESL 102) through the Office of Continuing Education. These courses are typically offered in the evenings or in the summer and count for extra-degree credit; i.e., they may be counted as part of a full course load but not as part of a regular 90- or 120-credit undergraduate degree. Because of limited language abilities, beginning students may find it difficult to take a regular course load and to pass the English Writing Proficiency Exemption Test.
Second-Language Students: Intermediate level
Typical Indicators:
- successful communication on familiar subjects; relatively clear understanding of main ideas in conversations and extended discourse but difficulties understanding details or perceiving the overall flow of ideas; problems with pronunciation, overall fluency.
- Successful completion of two CEGEP English courses (604-101 & 102).
- 40-64% on the Bishop's University ESL Placement Test.
- 480/157-525/206 on the TOEFL.
- 4.5-5.5 on the IELTS test.
- 575-690 on the TOEIC.
Courses and Programmes for Students at the Intermediate Level:
Students at this level are eligible for the Daytime Intensive ESL Programme, the Minor in English Language Studies (30 credits), and the English Language Component of the Major in Modern Languages.
Intermediate students who experience difficulties in courses in their areas of study are encouraged to take ESL courses or consult the Writing Centre.
Courses recommended at this level: ESL 110, ESL 111, ESL 121, ESL 125, ESL 126, ESL 131.
Second-Language Students: Advanced Level
Typical Indicators:
- successful communication on a variety of subjects, clear understanding of extended day-to-day and specialized discourse, use of fairly complex grammar and syntax (although not without errors), occasional lack of familiarity with idiom, writing clear but flawed.
- successful communication on a variety of subjects, clear understanding of extended day-to-day and specialized discourse, use of fairly complex grammar and syntax (although not without errors), occasional lack of familiarity with idiom, writing clear but flawed.Successful completion of CEGEP 604-102 & 103 English courses with a result of over 75% in each.
- 65% or over on Bishop's University ESL placement test.
- Over 525/206 on the TOEFL.
- Over 5.5 on the IELTS test.
- Over 690 on the TOEIC.
Courses and Programmes for Students at the Advanced Level
Students at this level are eligible for the Daytime Intensive ESL Programme, the Minor in English Language Studies (24 credits), and the English Language Component of the Major in Modern Languages.
Advanced second-language students, although fairly competent, may experience difficulties in courses in their areas of study. In this event, they are encouraged to take ESL courses or consult the Writing Centre. Students who have difficulty passing the English Writing Proficiency Exemption Credit Examination may take ESL courses to improve communication skills.
Courses recommended at this level: ESL 210, ESL 211, ESL 122, ESL 125, ESL 127, ESL 131, ESL 133, ESL 231.
Bishop's University ESL Placement Test
This test is normally administered by the Office of Continuing Education. It consists of two parts--a multiple choice "cloze" reading and a brief oral interview--and usually takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Contact the Office of Continuing Education for more information and/or an appointment.
Contacts:
For more information regarding full-time English language studies contact:
Stephen Sheeran
Co-chair
Department of Modern Languages
Bishop's University
2600 College St.
Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7
819-822-9600 Ext. 2399
Fax: 819-822-9661
For more information regarding part-time English language studies contact:
Kathryn Standish
Coordinator of Operations
Office of Continuing Education
Bishop's University
Sherbrooke, Québec
J1M 1Z7
Email: Continuing Education
Tel: (819) 822-9670 Ext. 2254
Fax: (819) 822-9720
