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.
Course Descriptions for the English Language Support courses:
Communications and Research Skills:
The Communication and Research Skills course focuses on modes of spoken and written communication for graduate English Language Learners. Students will discuss academic topics in English, learn how to give academic presentations, listen to a variety of lectures and other forms of input, and write personal reflections and a research paper. In a workshop setting, students will learn techniques for better notetaking and have ample opportunity to practice while exploring conceptual, critical, and writing skills. Students will improve their ability to discuss and analyze their own works and critique work of others. Students will be introduced to research methods, structuring a coherent and well supported academic research paper as well as effective communication skills.
Graduate Thesis:
This course is designed to instruct ELL graduate students to refine their thesis writing skills, with a focus on both the content and form of academic research. Students will gain proficiency in academic writing conventions. Each student will work on a previously written research paper and learn to critically edit their own work, improve oral presentation skills, and master both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the tools to produce a well-structured thesis, present their findings effectively, and conduct high-quality research.
English Language Support for International Students
ELL Portfolio Certificate (Online)
Get a jump start on improving your English fluency by completing the ELL Portfolio Certificate this summer. Successful completion of the ELL Portfolio program helps support your academic success through English writing/reading and speaking/listening skills development, applicable to matriculated coursework at Pratt Institute. Students with TOEFL scores less than 100 are strongly encouraged to take ELL Portfolio over the summer before starting a full course load in the fall semester. Contact your academic advisor to see if the summer, online ELL Portfolio Certificate is recommended for you.
Learn more and register online today!
Upon successful completion of the ELL Portfolio Certificate, students will receive a certificate of completion.
Exemptions
The waiver requirements for the WAC course are different from the TOEFL waiver by the graduate departments. Students in the following categories are exempted from the WAC course regardless of their TOEFL scores
- Native English speakers who are citizens of countries where English is a national language.
- Have submitted a TOEFL score equal to or higher than 100iBT, or the equivalent
- Have submitted a combined IELTS score of 7.5 or higher
- Have graduated from a four-year college or university degree program in the US or another English-speaking country within the last 12 months
- Have a score of 4 or above on the AP English exam
- Have completed high school education in the US within the last 12 months
- Have submitted a score of 620 or higher on the SAT Verbal section
- Are participants in the Fullbright or Humphries Scholars program
- Have an International Baccalaureate diploma and have received a 4 or better on the HL English Language A: Language and Literature Exam.
- Are a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient.