Juniata's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program offers a high quality education. The instructors are highly experienced and certified in Teaching English as a Second Language. All of them have lived and worked in other countries and understand the transition process that international students experience when studying in a new country.

Admission and Placement

Prospective students must be a minimum of 18 years old. A minimum official TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Academic PTE score is required for admission to the EAP, as we do not offer beginner courses. It is the student's responsibility to make sure official test scores are sent to Juniata College. 

If you wish to enter Juniata College as a degree seeking student, you must apply directly through the enrollment office. Contact Alexis Li, the Admissions Counselor, for details. You will not have to re-apply to the EAP if you need ESL courses.

Upon arrival at Juniata, all international students not meeting preferred English proficiency criteria  will be tested and placed into courses according to their English proficiency level. The English for Academic Purposes program offers academic English courses at two levels:

  • High-Intermediate
  • Advanced

All international students who are non-native speakers of English and do not meet the minimum English proficiency test scores will be tested to determine their English proficiency upon arrival. Students who have "English-Conditional" admittance will be enrolled in appropriate ESL courses and will need to progress through the ESL program according to the current EAP policy. Students who have been accepted based on non-conditional admission standards may still request English language testing and support through ESL courses and/or tutoring.

Advancement

As all ESL courses carry Juniata College credit which can be applied toward graduation requirements, the EAP follows Juniata’s policies regarding academic advancement which allows students with a passing grade of 60% or higher to move to the next level. As language skills are vital to academic success, however, every effort should be made by students in their ESL courses to achieve the highest level of skills and knowledge possible as this will provide the foundation for all future academic courses.

To view the full policy, please refer to the Juniata Student Manual.

Courses

The program encourages English fluency, both in class and outside of class, through projects, surveys and interviews with Americans. You must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester. This is a full-time load, as EAP courses give credit which can be used for graduation requirements. You will focus on developing language skills and building self-confidence in using English. The courses emphasize:

  • Strengthening speaking ability through discussions with international and American students, staff and faculty, and interviews with local people
  • Practicing listening to and understanding academic lectures in real university classes
  • Developing university-level writing and research skills
  • Expanding vocabulary and increasing reading speed
  • Developing the self-confidence to use English in a professional or U.S. university setting
  • Interacting with American culture and the expectations at a U.S. college/university

Tutors are available for students who need extra help. Tutors are often Juniata students who are in training to become teachers.

Note to students whose first language is English: These courses are intended only for students whose first language is NOT English. While there are no pre-requisites for most of the ESL courses, native English-speaking students who register for ESL courses will be asked to drop their registration as course content and classroom interaction would be inappropriately affected.

Full Course Listing:

(Note: Not all courses are offered each semester)

ESL-150 Academic Writing


ESL-151 Conversation and Discussion


ESL-152 Reading and Vocabulary Development


ESL-153 Grammar in Use-Level II


ESL-155 Clear Speech


ESL-170 Academic Writing II


ESL-179 Academic Writing II: Lab


ESL-180 ESL CWS Lab


ESL-192 Advanced ESL Reading


ESL-199 Special Topics


ESL-200 Amer: Ntn of Immigrants


ESL-201 Egg to Ancestor: a Study of Culture


ESL-202 Advanced ESL Reading


ESL-211 Advanced Listening and Speaking Seminar


ESL-212 Advanced College Reading: Mockingbirds Abound


ESL-250 College Writing


ESL-259 College Writing: Lab


ESL-299 Special Topics


ESL-TUT ESL Teaching Assistant