why should i improve my english language skills?

As one of the world's most widely-spoken languages (both as a first and second language) and as the lingua franca of science, business, and entertainment, improving your English language skills will give you the opportunity to excel in your academic coursework, improve your job prospects, and may even increase your standard of living.

What are your toefl guidelines?

Review the table below based on your TOEFL score and see what courses you may need to take at Siena.

  regular esol admission* regular + advanced esol bridge regular + intermediate esol bridge
Number of ESOL Courses Required

1 (ESOL 120 or ESOL 220)

2 (ESOL 120+ESOL 220, or ESOL 115+ESOL 220) 3 (ESOL 115, ESOL 120, and ESOL 220)
TOEFL

iBT: 78

Paper: 550

iBT: 70

Paper: 525

iBT: 65

Paper: 515

IELTS 6.5 6.0 5.5
Oxford Online Placement Level B2/C1 B1/B2 B1
CaMLA Writing Score >35 30-35 25-29

* English Language Learner students scoring higher than Level C1 on the OOPL, or over 78 on the TOEFL, may take ESOL 120 or ESOL 220 if desired.

what are the courses?

ESOL 115: ESOL COMMUNICATION (INTERMEDIATE)
  • This 3-credit course is designed to develop intermediate students' knowledge of American English academic listening and speaking, reading, and writing conventions so that they can become fully engaged members of Siena's academic community. Through classroom discussions, presentations, and reflection papers, students gain confidence in listening, speaking, reading, writing, academic research, and providing peer feedback. ESOL 115 may also include phonics and pronunciation focus, as needed.
ESOL 120: ESOL COMMUNICATION (ADVANCED)
  • This 3-credit course is designed to develop advanced students' knowledge of American English classroom participation, reading, and writing conventions so that they can become fully engaged members of Siena's academic community. Through classroom discussions, presentations, and reflection papers, students gain confidence in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and providing peer feedback. Students are also introduced to the methods of doing research and citing sources.
ESOL 220: ACADEMIC WRITING FOR ELLS 
  • This 3-credit course is designed to enhance students' knowledge of American English academic writing conventions and to facilitate improvement in their writing skills across written genres by exploring the processes of writing: comprehending, analyzing, and evaluating college-level texts; inventing, drafting, and revising; and seeking, providing, and responding to constructive feedback. Students also explore the methods of doing research and citing sources. Through classroom discussions based on assigned readings, in-class activities, writing assignments, peer reviews, and reflection papers, students are expected to gain confidence in writing, revising, and providing feedback to others' writing.

What additional services are provided?

In addition to our ESOL courses, we offer and provide our students with:

  • Free online and written assessment, before and after each semester, to ensure that instruction is appropriate for student strengths and needs
  • Exam proctoring with extra time for students enrolled in any ESOL course
  • Private study space
  • Access to Livescribe smartpens and various web-based language learning resources

The following support offices are also available for all students:

  • Writing Center (located in Standish Library on the lower level), which provides professional tutoring and ESOL support with Ms. Gina Greco and one-on-one peer mentoring through the Mentor Program to support international students in academic writing and adapting to everyday life at Siena
  • Academic Success Center (located in the Fr. Benjamin Kuhn, O.F.M. House), which provides academic advising and both individual and group tutoring