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The focus of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at Alamance Community College is to prepare international students, whose first language is not English, or U.S. multilingual students, who have an American high school diploma or equivalent, to develop proficiency in complex academic English. Students typically have studied English, often through an ESL (English as a Second Language) or other English classes, prior to enrolling in the program. The courses focus on college-level reading, writing, research, grammar, listening, and speaking skills and strategies needed to be successful in the college classroom or in a professional career setting.
The EAP classes are credit courses (under the course acronym EFL) and are taught at the college level, therefore all tasks, even at the lowest levels, are actual college writing and reading assignments. EAP courses are the alternate track for multilingual students instead of the ENG 002 course. Placement testing is required to determine the appropriate course for each student. Students who successfully complete EAP courses will receive non-course credit for ENG 002 which is a prerequisite for many curriculum courses. Contact Clara Vega at (336) 506-4230 for more information.
How do these classes differ from English as a Second Language (ESL) classes?
EAP focuses on academic English skills. EAP courses go beyond the basics of ESL. The courses are for college credit and are tuition-based classes run as regular college curriculum courses every academic semester. Students interested in EAP courses must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In contrast, ESL courses focus on the beginner English learner who wishes to improve their English skills for everyday life. ESL courses improve an English learner’s survival skills, such as conversations with their physician or their child’s teacher.
English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are non-credit and tuition-free classes with open enrollment throughout the year. The focus is on non-academic reading, writing, speaking, and listening, including content about U.S. history and citizenship preparation. ESL classes include computer literacy skills and are designed to help students obtain a solid foundation in English that will enable them to pursue a career and/or further education in English. Students who have completed ESL courses are great candidates for EAP courses.
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