RIT Resources for New Faculty
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTER AT RIT
The English Language Center (ELC) offers English proficiency assessment and advanced academic English courses for international students at RIT. The ELC also offers a full-time program of intensive English at basic, intermediate and advanced levels for non-degree students and provisionally admitted students. Provisionally admitted RIT students must take an English language proficiency assessment test battery to determine linguistic preparedness for academic work and which courses in English must be completed. Advisors and departments may also refer other international students to the English Language Center for assessment and courses. ELC courses follow the Institute calendar. Courses are zero credit and fee-based. The ELC also offers opportunities to connect its international students with conversation partners and in cultural exchange activities. As an additional service, the ELC offers individual and small group foreign language instruction for faculty and staff.
General Information for RIT Faculty and Staff
The English Language Center (ELC) offers advanced academic English courses for international students at RIT and a full-time program of intensive English for non-degree and provisionally admitted students at basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
Calendar and registration: ELC courses and registration follow the Institute academic calendar. A full array of courses on both written and oral communication in English is offered every term, including summer quarter. In order to register for ELC courses, students must take an English language proficiency assessment and be given permission by the ELC to register.
Grades and student status: ELC courses and grades appear on RIT student transcripts. However, courses earn zero credits and do not therefore affect GPA. Courses are fee-based and are not included in RIT tuition. Students are permitted to maintain full-time RIT student status with a combination of ELC courses and courses in a credit-bearing program of study.
International undergraduate students who are provisionally admitted (for English language) must take an English language proficiency assessment battery. The student must either successfully pass proficiency assessment or successfully complete ELC courses before registering for credit-bearing courses. Students may be required to take full-time English or part-time English alongside RIT course work depending on their test results and/or ELC coursework.
International graduate students take English language proficiency assessments according to department or program guidelines.
Department, program or advisor referrals: Any program or department may refer a student to the English Language Center for assessment and courses. Since ELC courses follow the Institute calendar, referrals should ideally occur before the beginning of a term or at the very beginning of a term. Students are not normally permitted to begin a course of study after add-drop period.
English language proficiency assessment and recommendations: The English Language Center assessments include a writing test, a speaking test, and standardized test covering English grammar, reading comprehension and vocabulary. On the basis of these assessments, the English Language Center provides a recommendation regarding the student’s linguistic preparedness for academic study. The recommendation is provided to the student and the student’s academic advisor or program.
Other Services Provided by the English Language Center:
- Individual and small group foreign language instruction. For RIT faculty, staff and others who request specialized individual or small group instruction in a foreign language, the English Language Center provides a service to identify students who speak that language natively and are able to teach it. Tuition waivers for English and foreign language instruction are available to RIT employees through Human Resources.
- Conversation partners and activity programs. The ELC connects its international students with RIT students, faculty and staff for cultural exchange activities and conversation.
| Contact Person: | Stanley Van Horn, Ph.D., Director |
| Telephone: | (585) 475-6684 |
| Location: | 2040 Monroe Hall (Next to SAU)Campus Map |
| Websites: | |
| International Audience: | http://www.rit.edu/ELC/ |
| Internal RIT Audience: | http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/slsa/elc |