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English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

Program Description

The Lindenwood University English as a Second Language Program (LU-ESL) is a full-time English instruction program designed for international students who wish to improve their English language skills. The mission of the program is to prepare students for university-level academic work in English, but the program can also meet the needs of individuals seeking to increase their English proficiency independent of an undergraduate program. Additionally, the program aims to give students the opportunity to increase their awareness of North American culture through extracurricular excursions. All ESL courses are based on the semester schedule; students are required to have 30 contact hours of English instruction per week. At the end of each term, students will be evaluated through an exam to determine their ability to progress to the next level. (For a schedule of term start and end dates, please see the ESL program calendar, found on the Lindenwood University website under Admissions, Office of International Students and Scholars, ESL Program.)

Application and Acceptance Procedures

Applying to the English as a Second Language Program

The application and enrollment procedures for students of the English as a Second Language program are outlined below.

Applicants shall submit all required application documents to the Office of International Students and Scholars:

  • Application
  • Affidavit of support
  • Housing application and deposit
  • Writing Sample (essay)
  • Passport copy
  • Health Insurance

Note: Applicants may also be required to set up an appointment with an ESL program coordinator for a Skype video conference interview; this interview process will help to identify a suitable level of English Language instruction.

For more information about the required documents for application to the ESL program, refer to the online application, found on the Lindenwood University website under Admissions, Office of International Students and Scholars, ESL Program. Then click on the application.

Applying to an Undergraduate Program after ESL

Students who plan to continue their education at Lindenwood University after the successful completion of the ESL program must additionally meet the following requirements

  • Achieve a minimum passing score on the TOEFL exam (may be taken at Lindenwood).
  • Submit official transcripts with English translations and WES evaluations.
  • Applicants must submit high school, undergraduate, and graduate transcripts from any school previously attended, along with English translations of all documents indicating the degree(s) earned and US equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) for each transcript submitted. The student must submit these transcripts (college and graduate levels only) to Lindenwood University and to World Educational Services (WES) and request a course-by-course evaluation. No application to an undergraduate degree program will be complete until the WES evaluation is provided.

Notes: (1) Applicants should list Lindenwood University as the recipient of the evaluation. WES will also provide a copy of the evaluation directly to the applicant. The applicant should keep this copy of the evaluation for his/her records. For more information about transcript evaluation, contact WES at www.wes.org.

(2) The cost for the evaluation of international transcripts will be incurred by the applicant. However, once the applicant obtains a visa and arrives at Lindenwood University, the cost of the evaluation will be refunded, provided that the applicant brings in the receipt for the evaluation service to the Office on International Students and Scholars.

For more information on the TOEFL requirements and testing opportunities, speak to the ESL program director.

Acceptance, Arrival, and Orientation

Upon acceptance to the ESL program, applicants shall receive a letter of acceptance, along with detailed information regarding program start dates, student arrival and check in dates, and orientation expectations and procedures.

Upon arrival to campus, all students will participate in a new student orientation session and take an English Placement Exam to determine English language proficiency. Depending on the results of this exam, students will be enrolled in courses corresponding to ESL Level One , ESL Level Two, or ESL Level Three. Levels offered each term are based on proficiency and enrollment demand during fall and spring semesters.

Additional Fees

Each semester there is a $250 Cultural Enrichment Outing fee. This fee covers required expenses such as transportation, meals, and admission incurred during ESL outings and it charged as a lab fee connected to the Intensive English Reading and Writing course.