2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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2014-2015 University Catalog

INTO Mason - Academic English Program

Return to: INTO Mason  

Phone: 703-993-4501
Fax: 703-993-4502
Email: INTO@gmu.edu
Website: www.intohigher.com/mason

The Academic English program administered by INTO George Mason University prepares international students for university degree-seeking study in the U.S. The academically rigorous program provides international students with high-quality English language instruction and the academic skills to succeed at Mason through development of:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Academic study skills and test taking skills

Admission

Students who apply to the Academic English program must submit at least an application and application fee through INTO Mason. In order to qualify for admission, students must demonstrate that they have earned at least a high school diploma. Upon arrival, all Academic English students will be given a language proficiency assessment which will determine exactly which of the 7 levels of the program is most appropriate for them to begin their studies.

Students have the option to apply for the Academic English program only, or the Pathway Program. Students who apply to the Pathway program but do not demonstrate entry language requirements are provided an estimate of the number of Academic English terms to complete in order to fulfill Pathway entry requirements. Students who desire to pursue academic study are also required to submit original or certified copies of all high school and collegiate transcripts (if appropriate) in both English and the original language for transcript evaluation together with their complete application.

Students who require an F-1 visa for study must also submit a signed affidavit of support together with bank statements and passport copy with the application for admission.

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing Level 7 of the Academic English program, students will be able to do the following:

  • Interact comfortably in the U.S. classroom with professors and fellow students
  • Understand U.S. values in an academic setting
  • Present their spoken and written ideas accurately and effectively in English
  • Write research papers with proper use of citations and references
  • Use the Internet and Mason library databases to conduct academic research
  • Read, understand, and critically evaluate academic texts
  • Understand and use vocabulary common to academic disciplines
  • Take useful and accurate notes in academic lectures and presentations
  • Develop and deliver oral presentations

Program Structure and Curriculum

The Academic English program is offered three terms per year: Fall (16 weeks), Spring (16 weeks), and Summer (11 weeks). In order to advance to the next level of Academic English or transition to Pathways/Direct Admission status, students must meet Academic English progression requirements. Students must be enrolled for 20 hours of coursework per week in order to be eligible for full-time enrollment status. Students typically complete one level each semester. Academic English courses include:

  • A core class (10 hours weekly), focused on reading/writing/grammar/vocabulary development
  • Oral Communication Skills class (6 hours per week), focused on listening/ speaking/vocabulary development
  • Elective classes (4 hours weekly), focused on specific content or language skill(s) development

In addition to small classes with highly trained and experienced instructors, Academic English students benefit from academic and language advising. Students are encouraged to utilize university resources and are expected to engage in the Mason experience through multiple opportunities to participate in campus and local community groups/programs.

Academic English Language Levels and CEFR

The Academic English program offers seven levels of language study. Each Academic English level corresponds with a rating on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR is used by INTO Mason to evaluate students’ academic English proficiency and communicate students’ language progress across skills. The CEFR describes language ability on a scale of levels from A1 to C2, each defined by descriptors of language competencies. Students who complete a specific level of Academic English have achieved the CEFR as indicated on the same row.

AE Level Completion
(w/min. 80% SGA)		 CEFR Level
 General Level Descriptors
AE Level 7 B2+ Understands spoken and written language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life. Uses language fluently, accurately and effectively on a wide range of general, academic, vocational or leisure topics, marking clearly the relationships between ideas. Communicates spontaneously with good grammatical control without much sign of having to restrict what s/he wants to say, reformulating ideas in different ways to ensure people understand exactly what s/he means.
AE Level 6 B2 Understands the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Interacts with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Produces clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

NOTE: Completion of this level is equivalent to an 88 overall with 20 points per section on the TOEFL iBT.
AE Level 5 B1+ Understands straightforward factual information about common everyday or job related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided text/speech is clear and standard. Communicates with some confidence on familiar routine and non-routine matters related to his/her interests and professional field. Conveys information and ideas on abstract as well as concrete topics check information, and ask about or explain problems with reasonable precision.
AE Level 4 B1 Understands the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered. Deals with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Produces simple connected text on familiar topics of personal interest. Describes experiences, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
AE Level 3 A2+ Understands enough to be able to meet needs of a concrete type provided text/speech is short, clear and/or slowly articulated. Manages simple, routine exchanges without undue effort. Asks and answers questions and exchanges ideas and information on familiar topics in predictable everyday situations and about things in past.
AE Level 2 A2 Understands short, simple texts containing familiar vocabulary. Communicates in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Describes in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
AE Level 1 A1+ Reads slowly and understand very short, simple texts by recognizing familiar names, words, and basic phrases. Asks and answer simple questions and respond to simple statements about familiar topics provided the other person talks slowly and clearly. Writes short, simple notes and messages.

 

English Language Grading System

Semester Grade Average (SGA) is the measure of performance in one semester of INTO Mason’s Academic English and General English programs.

Final grades for courses are given as percentages (0-100%) on Academic English and General English grade reports. A typical full-time Academic English course load consists of four courses totaling 20 credit hours; each course grade is assigned a percentage weight based on proportion of hours the course represents within the overall course load. 

AE Course
 Course Hours
 Course Percentage Weight
Levels 1-7 Core 10 50%
Levels 1-7 Oral Communication Skills 6 30%
Elective 1 2 10%
Elective 2 2 10%
    100%

Each course grade is multiplied by the appropriate course percentage weight; then all weighted course grades are totaled to derive the overall semester grade average.

In order for a student to be eligible to progress to a subsequent level within Academic English, General English, or to one of INTO Mason Pathways, the student must earn an overall SGA of 80% or higher. 

Progression Requirements

In order to successfully complete each level of the Academic English program, students must earn an Overall Weighted Average (OWA) of 80% for all courses (Core, OCS, Electives). In exceptional cases, students may be permitted to skip or repeat a level. For advancement to Pathway or Direct Admission status, Academic English students must complete the following levels:

  • To Undergraduate Pathway - Completion of Academic English Level 4
  • To Undergraduate Accelerated Pathway - Completion of Academic English Level 5
  • To Direct Undergraduate Admission - Completion of Academic English Level 6
  • To Graduate Standard Pathway - Completion of Academic English Level 5
  • To Graduate Accelerated Pathway - Completion of Academic English Level 6
  • To Direct Graduate Admission - Requirements will vary by program