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 seek support through the following options:
- Register for the 8-week summer English Language Learning (ELL) online course, offered through Pratt’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) before you start your program. The course strengthens the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills you’ll use every day in and outside of your classes.
- If you do not take this course but find you need support during your first semester enroll in SCPS’s Fall course that runs from mid-September through late November. This will help in tandem with your program coursework.
- Consider taking SCPS’s Winterim course that runs between semesters. Now that you have completed one semester and understand the kind of English language skills you need this course will offer you the time and support to hone them.
For questions, please reach out to SCPS-noncredit@pratt.edu.Whether or not you take the summer, fall or winterim course please know that the Writing and Tutorial Center offers ELL support as well. We encourage you to seek them out as well.
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.
Why take the ELL course in the Fall semester?
Find yourself at Pratt and in more immediate need of English language support than you expected? Enroll in SCPS’s Fall course that runs from mid-September through late November in order to receive assistance in tandem with your program coursework but without overloading your schedule.
Why take the ELL course in Winterim?
Winterim’s ELL course runs between Fall and Spring semesters. After completing one semester you may want to take this opportunity during January to improve your English language skills now that you have a better understanding of what is needed in your coursework whether in terms of oral or written communication.