Academic Programs
Black Hawk College's ESL Program curriculum is designed to meet the special needs of two distinct student groups. Students who come to the United States with student visas (F-1) should explore the academic program by clicking on International Students. Those who live in the Quad-Cities and surrounding area should click on Students Residing in District 503.
Program Description for International Students
The ESL program is an academic program designed for non-native speakers and international students who need English skills to participate in American society, to enroll in vocational or academic programs at the college level, or to enter or advance in the workplace. Students will attain and refine language and study skills as well as deepen their knowledge of U. S. culture through a series of specially designed courses in sentence structure, reading, writing, speaking, listening, pronunciation, and conversation. Students have access to computer, video, and lab equipment through the Independent Learning Center. Individual and group tutoring can be arranged free of charge for any student needing help. Students may also participate in college clubs and attend all extra-curricular activities.
Testing
Students do not need to present a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score to enter Black Hawk College's ESL program, but students should have a beginning knowledge of English equivalent to 430 or 117 or 39 on the TOEFL to move through the program efficiently. If the student has taken the TOEFL, he/she should report the score to the ESL Coordinator, for this and other test scores will help place the student accurately in the program. Before class registration, all first-semester students will be given the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency. The test is composed of three segments:
- Michigan Test of Aural Comprehension (listening)
- Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (grammar, vocabulary, reading)
- Writing Sample (composition)
Placement on the test is as follows:
Program Profile
Each sixteen-week semester, students attend classes four days per week and complete one hour of online instruction for each class attended. The maximum class size is fifteen, and the average course load is three hours each day. Students are given daily assignments as well as special projects that are completed outside of class. Students take the equivalent of 15 credit hours for a full class load. Students may attend a six-week summer session. Upon finishing the program, students receive a certificate of Proficiency at the spring graduation ceremony.
Intermediate ESL
Students who enter this level have decided to begin academic or vocational programs. All reading, writing, speaking, listening, and sentence structure activities are taught in the context of a variety of academic disciplines. Students study the simple sentence from a linguistic perspective, learn to write paragraphs using all rhetorical modes, learn to write college essays, learn to give 5 to 10 minute oral presentations, learn to use the computerized library resources, learn to listen to academic lectures and take notes.
All courses are web-enhanced. Students attend class four days per week and also complete on credit hour of online instruction for each class*.
* All classes labeled “A” are the online component associated with the face-to-face class.
All of these courses are offered at Black Hawk College, Quad-Cities Campus.
ESL 062/ESL 062A
ESL 064/ESL 064A
ESL 066/ESL 066A
ESL 067**
ESL 070/ESL 070A |
Intermediate Grammar
Intermediate Reading
Intermediate Writing
Listening/Speaking I
Communication Skills | **This class is not web-enhanced and is offered only in the evening program and during the summer program.
Advanced ESL
Students in this level advance their language skills and knowledge of the academic culture so that they can enter academic classes or vocational programs. They study complex sentence structure, write documented academic essays and research papers, read a variety of texts from many disciplines, read a novel, listen to lectures and take notes, and give 10--15 minute speeches. Students at this level participate in a number of special projects. They create an ESL newsletter that is distributed community-wide; listen to lectures given by Black Hawk College professors, and interview professionals in their chosen fields.
All courses are web-enhanced. Students attend class four days per week and also complete on credit hour of online instruction for each class*.
* All classes labeled “A” are the online component associated with the face-to-face class.
All of these courses are offered at Black Hawk College, Quad-Cities Campus.
ESL 074/ESL 074A
ESL 076/ESL 076A
**COMM 105/ESL 072/ESL 072A
**COMM100/ESL 078/ESL 078A |
Advanced Reading
Advanced Writing
Advanced Grammar
Advanced Oral Skills | **.Students receive 3 transferable credits each of these courses.
Portfolio
While students are in the advanced ESL program, they will complete a portfolio that proves that they have the necessary English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking to attend transfer and vocational programs. The portfolio consists of a reflective letter and samples of the student’s essay writing, summary writing ad an oral presentation. Students work with a portfolio advisor throughout process. Students who successfully complete the process will receive a Certificate of Proficiency at the ESL graduation ceremony.
Program Description for Students Residing in District 503The ESL program is a seven-level program designed for non-native speakers and international students who need English skills to participate in American society, to enroll in vocational or academic programs at the college level, to enter or advance in the workplace, or to earn citizenship. Students will attain and refine language and study skills as well as deepen their knowledge of U.S. culture through a series of specially designed courses that include sentence structure, reading, writing, speaking, listening, pronunciation, and conversation. Students have access to computer, video, and lab equipment through the Independent Learning Center. Individual and group tutoring can be arranged for any student needing help. Students may also participate in college clubs and attend all extra-curricular activities.
Testing
Before class registration, all first-time students will be given the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency. This test is composed of three segments:
- Michigan Test of Aural Comprehension (listening)
- Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency grammar, vocabulary, and reading)
- Writing Sample (short composition)
Placement is as follows:
- * 59 or below Levels 1-5
- 60-69 Level 6
- 70-80 Level 7
*If students receive a score below 60, they will be given the ESLOA/CELSA test and a short oral interview to refine placement.
Program Location and Schedule
Levels 1-4 Offered at various satellite locations:
- Black Hawk College Outreach Center (map of Black Hawk College)
- Floreciente Center (Moline)
- First Lutheran Church (Moline)
- (Other locations as determined)
Level 5: Offered at the Illinois Employment and Training Center, Moline
Level 1-5 follow the schedule for Adult Basic Education classes. Students have several opportunities to register. Please contact ESL Coordinator for specific dates.
Levels 6 and 7: Offered at Black Hawk College
Levels 6 and 7 follow the academic schedule. Students enroll in classes for 16 weeks.
Beginning ESL
Students in this level build the foundations for listening, speaking, reading, and writing. English is learned in the context of practical situations that prepare the student to perform daily functions in society or to obtain entry level employment. Conversational vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, functional reading, conversational listening, and practical writing prepare the students to live independently in society and attend the intermediate level ESL if so desired.
Courses:
ESL ABE-ESL 100, 200, 300, 400, 500
ESL 051, ESL 053 (as needed)
*These courses are offered at the Black Hawk College Outreach Center and at other specified sites.
Intermediate ESL
Students who enter this level have decided to begin academic or vocational programs. All reading, writing, speaking, listening, and sentence structure activities are taught in the context of a variety of academic disciplines. Students study the simple sentence from a linguistic perspective, write paragraphs using all rhetorical modes, write college essays, give 5 to 10 minute oral presentations, use the computerized library resources, listen to academic lectures and take notes.
All courses are web-enhanced. Students attend class four days per week and also complete on credit hour of online instruction for each class*.
* All classes labeled “A” are the online component associated with the face-to-face class.
ESL 062/ESL 062A
ESL 064/ESL 064A
ESL 066/ESL 066A
ESL 067**
ESL 070/ESL 070A |
Intermediate Grammar
Intermediate Reading
Intermediate Writing
Listening/Speaking I
Communication Skills | This class is not web-enhanced and is offered only in the evening program and during the summer program.
Advanced ESL
Students in this level advance their language skills and knowledge of the academic culture so that they can enter academic classes or vocational programs. They study complex sentence structure, write documented academic essays and research papers, read a variety of texts from many disciplines, read a novel, listen to lectures and take notes, and give 10--15 minute speeches. Students at this level participate in a number of special projects. They create an ESL newsletter that is distributed campus-wide; listen to lectures given by Black Hawk College professors, and interview professionals in their chosen fields.
All courses are web-enhanced. Students attend class four days per week and also complete on credit hour of online instruction for each class*.
* All classes labeled “A” are the online component associated with the face-to-face class.
All of these courses are offered at Black Hawk College, Quad-Cities Campus.
ESL 074/ESL 074A
ESL 076/ESL 076A
**COMM 105/ESL 072/ESL 072A
**COMM100/ESL 078/ESL 078A |
Advanced Reading
Advanced Writing
Advanced Grammar
Advanced Oral Skills | Students receive 3 transferable credits each of these courses. Portfolio
While students are in the advanced ESL program, they will complete a portfolio that proves that they have the necessary English proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking to attend transfer and vocational programs. The portfolio consists of a reflective letter and samples of the student’s essay writing, summary writing ad an oral presentation. Students work with a portfolio advisor throughout process. Students who successfully complete the process will receive a Certificate of Proficiency at the ESL graduation ceremony.
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