The College of Charleston’s Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development and the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance announce the launch of the English Language Institute. This non-credit program offers classes to non-native English speakers who want to improve English language skills in academic, professional and social settings. The first session begins in July and applications for the fall semester are due by July 23, 2011.

“English language skills are crucial for individuals that would like to live, learn and work in the United States,” says Barbara Byrd, Director for the new English Language Institute. “Our instructors are trained in teaching English as a second language to create a rewarding and enjoyable classroom experience that will help students reach their goals successfully.”

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the population of foreign-born individuals with limited English proficiency in South Carolina increased by 103.6 percent between 2000 and 2009. The College created the English Language Institute to address this need in the community as well as supporting the College’s commitment to globalization and multiculturalism within a diverse student body.

The curriculum for classes offered through the English Language Institute includes speaking, listening, writing, reading and preparation for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Teacher directed instruction is provided at beginner, intermediate, advanced, and superior levels based on each student’s individual needs.

Convenient eight or 16-week sessions will be offered each fall and spring semester and two five-week sessions will be offered during the summer. Costs for the program vary based on the length of the session and housing needs. Complete costs can be found here.

The Institute’s first session includes participants who live and work in the Charleston area, a group of educators from Ecuador preparing to enroll in graduate programs and students from China who need to improve English skills for admission to a Bachelor’s degree program.

Byrd, an adjunct professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Performance, has more than 20 years’ experience in the field of English as a Second Language and, in 2007 was named a College of Charleston Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member.

The newly created Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development is located at the College of Charleston’s North Campus near the Charleston International Airport. The Center coordinates a variety of non-credit and professional development courses including information technology certifications, Certified Financial Planning, and courses tailored to community and workforce needs.

To learn more about the English Language Institute at the College of Charleston, visit englanginst.cofc.edu or call 843.953.6684.