Pratt Institute offers support for students who are English Language Learners. The term English language learners (ELL), or English learners (EL), refers to students whose first language is not English but who are learning English. This support is offered for both undergraduate and graduate students as outlined below.
Undergraduate Students
Students with TOEFL scores less than 100 will be enrolled in HMS101C, a 3-credit, language-supported Literary and Critical Studies course section. Following this course, students will be taking HMS201C. HMS101C and HMS201C are specially designed to support students who are English language learners (ELL). These courses are the equivalent of HMS101A(B)and HMS201A(B) that are required courses for all undergraduate students at Pratt as part of the first-year program.
Graduate Students
If your English language proficiency score falls into a range that would benefit from additional language support before beginning your degree program, we strongly encourage you to register for the 8-week summer English Language Learning (ELL) online course, offered through Pratt’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS). The course strengthens the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills you’ll use every day in and outside of your classes.
For questions, please reach out to SCPS-noncredit@pratt.edu.
Why take the ELL course in the summer?
Focus on English without extra coursework. A summer course lets you improve your language skills before classes begin, helps ease the transition to a new city and academic program and gives greater comfort in discussions and presentations. As the class is online you can join from anywhere and maintain your summer plans.
Strengthening English in the summer helps you to avoid struggles in your first semester and the need for additional support later. It will save you time and stress. If you do not take the summer course but arrive at Pratt and recognize you need more support—or if a professor recommends it—you can take the same graduate ELL support course during the Winterim term in January as well as seek support through the Writing and Tutorial Center.