General Information About WESL Institute
WESL Mission Statement
The mission of WESL Institute is to provide an intensive program in academic English for international students who are preparing to enter an American college or university and to provide ESL support courses. The WESL curriculum is designed and taught by a professional faculty to prepare students academically, socially, and culturally for success as university students.
WESL Institute provides students the opportunity to improve their English skills through an efficient and effective 23-hour-per-week intensive ESL program. Established in 1977, WESL is one of approximately 50 institutes in the United States accredited through the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. WESL's accreditation is valid through April 2017.
WESL serves those international students who do not speak English as a native language and do not meet WIU's English language proficiency requirement. Courses are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters (16 weeks each) and the Summer session (8 weeks) at four class levels: Foundation (Basic); Low-Intermediate; Intermediate; and University Preparation. The instructors all hold graduate degrees and have received special training in teaching English as a second language. Upon successful completion of the WESL program, students who meet all other admission requirements are admitted as regular degree students at WIU. These students are assisted in their transition to the University with special advising and registration sessions.
As part of the Center for International Studies, WESL is working to increase the coverage and scope of ESL services to the University community while also increasing enrollments. The WESL staff works in conjunction with the Office of International Admissions and Recruitment (IAR) to improve international recruitment efforts and increase the number of international students at WIU, thus leading to expanded international experiences for all members of the campus community.
Full-time Program:
After a seven day orientation, classes run 16 weeks in the fall & spring semesters and 8 weeks in the summer. The summer program is roughly equivalent to a 16-week semester, and includes the additional week of Orientation before classes start. There are 20-23 hours of instruction each week.
Upon arrival to WIU, you will be given a test and placed at the appropriate level. Each level includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar and pronunciation skills. At higher levels, special emphasis is given to lecture comprehension, note taking, academic writing, discussion, and critical thinking skills. Classes are small, averaging 10 students, so you will receive the training needed to succeed at the university.
Split-level enrollment:
Split-level enrollment is offered. WESL students have the benefit of being enrolled in classes in 2 different levels. This means that a student can advance to the next level in one area (Listening/Speaking or Reading/Writing) while remaining at the same level in the other. This gives the student the chance to advance partially. Split-level enrollment requires a satisfactory Placement Test score as well as teacher approval.
After successful completion of the WESL program, you will receive an official diploma at the graduation ceremony.
Advanced-Level Courses:
For those students who have successfully completed the WESL Program or who are enrolled in the University Preparation level (need approval from a teacher or the Director or Assistant Director), there are several advanced-level courses students can take to further improve their English skills in specialized areas. The following courses are currently offered; many students studying at Western Illinois University full time choose to take one or more of these classes in order to perform better academically:
WESL 045: Advanced Grammar
WESL 050: Advanced English for Academic Purposes
WESL 055: Advanced Pronunciation
WESL 060: TOEFL Preparation
WESL 065: American Culture ESL
WESL 070: Business ESL
Not Just Classes:
In addition to language classes, there are opportunities to interact with Americans:
- WESL students meet with Americans for conversation regularly. Lower level WESL students meet with Conversation Mentors weekly; higher level students participate in "class exchanges" in which American students from a university class meet WESL students for conversation.
- There are 2 field trips each semester to places such as the Abraham Lincoln sites in Springfield, Illinois.
- There are also many opportunities to join in activities and clubs with other international students as well as Americans.
