Academically qualified students who need support to become fluent in English reading, writing and speaking can be offered full admission to Salve Regina with our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

EAP is designed for degree-seeking undergraduate students who are non-native speakers of English and requires the following English proficiency test scores:

• TOEFL iBT between 60 and 79
• IELTS of 6.0
• Duolingo English test between 90 and 105
• PTE Academic between 46 and 52
• Cambridge English examination between 160 and 179
• Common European Framework B2

Students do not apply to EAP, they apply for admission to the University. If they meet the academic criteria and need English language support, their letter of admission will place them in EAP.

How EAP Works

EAP is a sequence of four courses, two in each of the first two semesters, taken alongside other undergraduate courses. Small class sizes and committed faculty help create a friendly environment that promotes active learning.

Students complete projects that foster cross-cultural awareness and critical thinking skills. They also participate in social, cultural and educational events on campus that ease their transition into American culture and the campus community.

EAP is not a full-time ESL program or conditional admission. EAP students are enrolled full-time in courses that earn credit toward the bachelor's degree. This means that students can live on campus, join clubs, use the gymnasium and fitness center and receive a Salve Regina ID for free bus transportation. There is no extra charge for EAP and students can work with their advisors to graduate on time.

Individual Tutoring

Students in EAP have access to a variety of helpful resources, including one-on-one language tutoring. In addition, experienced and supportive tutors are available for regularly scheduled academic assistance or for short-term help with specific projects and assignments.

English Conversation Partners/Language Tables

One of the more popular options for students is the conversation partner program. Conversations can be individual or group and cover any topic - music, sports, math, food, history - and can be a fun way to practice cross-cultural communication.

Courses

All EAP courses earn three credits and fulfill the University’s foreign language requirement or qualify as elective credit for EAP students. Courses are taken alongside two to three other credit-bearing undergraduate courses.

First semester: EAP103 Academic Communication Skills

Fulfills foreign language requirement or elective credit for EAP students

This course strengthens students' English language skills, primarily in listening and speaking in academic settings; however, reading and writing skills are also integrated into the course. The goal is to increase fluency in English in order to be successful in academic studies and social interactions. Students enhance their study skills, cross-cultural awareness and conversation skills by completing various in-class activities and homework assignments. This course is open to undergraduate students who are non-native speakers of English.

Prerequisite: TOEFL iBT scores of 60-79, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo English 90-105 or PTE Academic 46-52

First semester: EAP111 Academic Research and Writing

Fulfills foreign language requirement or elective credit for EAP students

This course focuses on strategies for academic research and varieties of expository writing for different audiences and situations. Students improve their proficiency in the English language by developing effective styles of writing paragraphs and essays, culminating in a final research project. They also expand their understanding of grammatical structures and academic vocabulary. Weekly individual work with a tutor in the EAP program or at the Writing Center is required.

Prerequisite: TOEFL iBT scores of 60-79, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo English 90-105 or PTE Academic 46-52

Second semester: EAP104 Advanced Communication Skills

Fulfills foreign language requirement or elective credit for EAP students

This course strengthens students' oral communication skills in English that are essential to academic success in higher education. Students increase fluency by preparing for and participating in academic and cultural discussions, completing listening and speaking projects and reflecting on ways to increase intercultural communication. Students also enhance their study skills, cross-cultural awareness and conversation skills by completing assignments. This course is open to undergraduate students who are non-native speakers of English.

Prerequisite: EAP103 Academic Communication Skills or permission of the EAP coordinator

Second semester: EAP112 Academic Writing in the Disciplines

Fulfills foreign language requirement or elective credit for EAP students.

This course focuses on strategies for research, reading and writing in various academic disciplines. Students improve their proficiency on the English language by developing effective styles of writing essays, analyzing texts and using appropriate forms of MLA/APA citations. They also expand their understanding of grammatical structures and academic vocabulary. Weekly individual work with a tutor in the EAP program or at the Writing Center is required.

Prerequisite: EAP111 Academic Research and Writing or permission of the EAP coordinator