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Return to: INTO Mason
Phone: 703-993-4501
Fax: 703-993-4502
Email: INTOmason@gmu.edu
Website: www.intohigher.com/mason
The General English program is designed for students who want to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, learn about American culture, and satisfy personal, professional and academic goals with an emphasis on real world communication. Language learned in class is put into immediate practical use through hands-on tasks, assignments and creative projects. Learning experience is enhanced by field trips to places of interest and importance in and around the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C.
Admission
Applicants for the General English program must submit at least an application and application fee through INTO George Mason University. In order to qualify for admission, students must demonstrate that they have earned at least a high school diploma and be at least 17 years of age. 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. Upon arrival, all General English students will be given a language proficiency assessment which will determine exactly which level of the program is most appropriate for them to participate.
This program does not include academic study courses. Students planning to enroll in classes at Mason must apply to a Pathway program or the Academic English program. Successful completion of General English does not meet any language requirement for admission to Mason.
Program Structure and Curriculum
The General English program consists of 5-week sessions, making it a flexible option for all students. Students are placed into one of four levels and enjoy small classes (typically 10-15 students) with highly trained and experienced instructors. Each term of the General English program lasts for 5 weeks. In order to be eligible for full-time enrollment status, General English students must be enrolled for 18 hours of coursework per week consisting of:
- Reading/Writing
- Listening/Speaking
- American Culture
Daily class assignments are designed to help build both communication skills and cultural understanding. To complement classroom instruction, the General English Program offers fun and educational out-of-class activities and field trips. Students also benefit from access to university campus events and facilities, including one-on-one language advising and tutoring in the fully-equipped Global Living and Learning Center.
Program Outcomes
The General English program allows students to tailor their program to suit their academic, professional, and personal goals. At all levels of General English, students will be able to:
- Communicate ideas and opinions on various topics
- Expand comprehension of content and vocabulary used in conversation and in the media
- Develop conversation skills and strategies and build fluency
- Enhance writing correspondence skills for personal, professional and academic purposes, such as e-mail formatting and etiquette
- Interact with native speakers
- Gain insight into American history, culture, values and behaviors
- Apply English grammar knowledge in both spoken and written real world situations
- Demonstrate improved pronunciation
- Read and improve comprehension of texts of various length and complexity
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