Director: Nicholas E. David
Instructional Staff: Cade Christensen, Lisa Cox, Sara Spaner
Since 1978, the University’s English Language Center (ELC) has addressed the needs of multilingual students whose primary native language is not English. Gonzaga’s ELC has served nearly 10,000 international students, introducing them to academic language and culture, higher education in the United States, while providing opportunities for intercultural exchanges with students from the U.S. and more than 70 other nations. The English Language Center encompasses the Intensive English Program, Gonzaga Global, Specialized Programs, Academic Support and testing, and an affiliation with the MA-TESL Program.
Intensive English Program (IEP): The ELC offers year-round intensive classes in 10 levels of instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL). These courses are designed to meet the needs of international students seeking undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as those of international professionals in improving their English language ability. Instructional policies and program guidelines of the Gonzaga University ESL Program are in accordance with the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), the national professional organization in this field.
Incoming Intensive English Program students are required to take the ELC Placement test in order to enroll in IEP courses. IEP courses in levels 1-5 earn ELCT credit.
ELC Undergraduate/Gonzaga Global courses: ELC Undergraduate courses support international and/or multilingual students with the linguistic and cultural adjustment to higher education in the U.S. through academic English and culture courses. These courses are English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses that develop linguistic skills that support student success in freshman and Core classes and are open to all international and/or multilingual students and scholars with permission from the Director. All ELC undergraduate courses carry elective credits that apply toward the total 128 semester credits required to graduate.
English Placement Test: Selected incoming international students take the English Placement Test to verify required courses and/or recommend optional courses. All incoming international students who are not exempted of English language requirements during the admission process are required to take the placement test. Permission to enroll in all ELCT undergraduate courses is to be obtained from the Director.
Gonzaga Global: For students who are ready to pursue undergraduate studies, but do not currently meet Gonzaga’s English proficiency requirements, admission to Gonzaga Global offers integrated academic language and culture courses that support and enrich a student’s undergraduate studies. Students apply for undergraduate and graduate admission to Gonzaga through the Gonzaga Global Program. Please see Gonzaga Global - https://global.gonzaga.edu.
ELCT courses + Multilingual (MLC) sections: ELCT 110 class is linked to MLC sections of the Gonzaga Core classes, COMM 100. These classes encourage the global engagement and intercultural competence of both domestic and international students. International students are placed into the ELC courses and the linked Multilingual (MLC) sections through freshman enrollment, Gonzaga Global, or their advisor upon approval by the Director. International students who are not required to take these courses may indicate interest through Gonzaga’s Freshman Survey or by working with their Academic Advisor.Specialized Programs: In addition to the academic ESL Program, the ELC offers short-term Specialized Programs for contracted groups of students, faculty and international visitors, including English as a Medium of Instruction, ESL Teacher Training, and Intensive English Language Programs.
Academic Support and Testing: The ELC conducts English Placement testing for all incoming international students as well as testing and services for all multilingual students or departments at Gonzaga that require or desire focused academic English language and culture instruction or support.
ELC and MA-TESL Program Affiliation: The ELC is affiliated with the following programs in the School of Education: Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (MA-TESL); Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate; and ELL endorsement. This important affiliation between programs includes shared faculty, curricular and programmatic integration, and opportunities for diverse student groups to collaborate in creative ways.
For more information about the English Language Center, visit www.gonzaga.edu/elc, or call 509-313-6562.