Mar 28, 2024  
Policies and Procedures Manual 
    
Policies and Procedures Manual

03:26:00 English Language Learners


Revision Responsibility: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Responsible Executive Officer: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Source/Reference: TBR Policy 2:03:00:03; TBR Policy 2:03:00:00; TBR Policy 2:03:00:02
  T.C.A. 49-8-203

PURPOSE

To provide a support pathway for ELL students who qualify for co-requisite remediation to ensure those students have the support needed to be successful in credit-bearing course work.


DEFINITIONS

  • Learning Support - Academic support needed by a student to be successful in college level general education courses and/or to meet minimum reading, writing, and mathematic competencies as required by faculty in programs that do not require general education courses in reading, writing and/or mathematics. The purpose of learning support is to enhance academic success in college level courses and increase the likelihood of program completion that will prepare students for career success in their chosen field of study.
  • English Language Learner (ELL) –A student who self-identifies on their admissions application that their primary language is not English or who is a foreign national, and who is in the process of actively acquiring English.
  • English for Speakers of other Languages (ESL) –Curricular interventions that support a student whose first language is not English and who would benefit from language support programs to improve academic performance in English due to challenges with reading, comprehension, speaking, and/or writing in English.
  • Co-Requisite: Learning Support courses or experiences linked with an appropriate college level course that is required in the student’s chosen field of study, so that the student is enrolled concurrently in both Learning Support and appropriate college level courses that are applicable to the student’s academic pathway.
  • Course Pathway: A course sequence required by a student’s program of study or by co-requisite placement.
  • Support Pathway: An embedded ESL-specific module will be provided for all students enrolled in ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020, and READ 0800. Optional support will be offered through the Writing Center and tutoring centers.

POLICY

Any subsequent change to cut scores for English Language Learner placement exams, prior to implementation, should be submitted to the Tennessee Board of Regents for review and approval.

PROCEDURES

I. Assessment and Placement

    A. Once admitted to the college per WSCC Policy 04:04:00, course placement will be identified by measures outlined in TBR Policy 2:03:00:02.

    B. Based on an analysis of student success characteristics, staff and faculty may make referrals for ELL students to enroll in ESL/ESOL supported courses as provided in TBR Policy 2:03:00:00. 

II. English for Speakers of Other Languages Supported Courses

     A. An embedded ESL-specific module will be provided for all students enrolled in ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020, and READ 0800. The module will focus on English for Academic Purposes (EAP), which includes training in academic reading, writing, presenting, and note-taking. Optional support will be offered through the Writing Center and tutoring centers.

     B. For classes designated as ESL, students that score below the minimum test scores can opt to take pre-college level coursework designed for language acquisition that will help prepare them for additional college coursework.

09/20