Achieve Learner Outcomes In Multiple Language Skill Areas
Each student has unique needs for English language learning. Some have low reading and writing skills while for others it is listening and speaking. ELI classes help students use their strengths to overcome their weaknesses.
Objective
Improve Oral Communication Skills Of Chinese Population
Since Chinese students are a large portion of the overall ELI population, we strive to increase their communication skills specifically in oral interaction because this is consistently their weakest area of study.
Indicator
Test Performance On Language Assessment Exam For Listening/Speaking
Test performance on language assessment exam
Criterion
Score Increase On Listening/Speaking Portion Of Exam
Score increase on Listening/Speaking portion of exam
Finding
Oxford Test Score Increases For Chinese Students
During the period of Fall 2010 to Spring 2011, Chinese students increased their listening scores on average by 6 points and speaking scores by an average of 9 points from initial to final testing on the Oxford Practice iBT, which is on a scaled score of 30.
Action
Required Free Talk Time
Chinese students struggling with listening and speaking will need to attend conversation practice sessions with volunteers to increase fluency.
Objective
Improve Literacy Skills Of Saudi Arabian Population
Since Saudi students are a large portion of the overall ELI population, we strive to increase their literacy skills specifically in reading and writing because this is consistently their weakest area of study.
Indicator
Test Performance On Language Assessment Exam For Reading/Writing
Test performance on language assessment exam
Criterion
Score Increase On Reading/Writing Portion Of Exam
Score increase on Reading/Writing portion of exam
Finding
Oxford Test Score Increases For Saudi Students
During the period of Fall 2010 to Spring 2011, Saudi Arabian students increased their reading scores on average by 4 points and writing scores by an average of 1 point from initial to final testing on the Oxford Practice iBT, which is on a scaled score of 30.
Action
Required Reading And Writing Center Visits
Saudi Arabian students struggling with reading and writing skills will be assigned additional tutoring time at the Reading and Writing Centers.
Goal
Enhance Students' Academic Achievement
Create an environment conducive to academic success. Develop new and improve existing ELI courses to help students integrate into academic programs at the University.
Objective
Measurement Of Students' Success
ELI students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for successful academic performance in collegiate level courses.
Indicator
Language Assessment Exam Scores
Scores from the Oxford Practice TOEFL iBT taken by English language learners (ELI students) several times per year.
Criterion
Score Improvement
The ELI administers regular examinations of the Oxford Practice TOEFL iBT for assessment of students. The criterion will be improvement each time an ELI student retakes the TOEFL.
Finding
Test Score Increases
During the period from August 2010 to May 2011, 76 ELI students took the Oxford Practice TOEFL iBT more than one time. These students increased their scores an average of 47% from their first test to their last test.
Indicator
Former ELI Students' SHSU GPAs
Since the ELI is charged with preparing ELI students to be successful in academic pursuits at the university, their GPAs are a measure of their ability to compete with non-ELI students once they enter the academic classes.
Criterion
Cumulative GPA Of 2.0 At SHSU
Since the average grade for academic classes is a "C" or 2.0, this will be the criterion.
Finding
Former ELI Students' GPA At SHSU
In Fall 2010 and Spring 2011, 31 former ELI students took academic courses at the University. The average cumulative GPA for these students was 3.11, which shows that ELI students generally come out of the program with the skills necessary to succeed at the University.
Action
Pre-admission Student Advising
When ELI students are in the advanced level of the program, we will arrange for them to receive academic advising prior to admission. This should better prepare them for the transition to their degree programs. Also, the SAM Center will be utilized for teaching students study skills so that they can improve their academic performance.
Action
TOEFL Tutoring Through Reading Center
For students who need extra help with TOEFL preparation, we will promote TOEFL tutoring through the Reading Center. This should increase scores for next year's assessment. Also, we will focus more on preparation for the internet-based TOEFL, which has become the standard for evaluation of academic English proficiency for admission to American universities.
Goal
ELI Enrollment
Provide resources and support to increase ELI enrollment, which will eventually increase international enrollment at the University.
Objective
Increasing Enrollment
Through the development of the website, brochure and other forms of marketing, the ELI will increase awareness of its presence in the international market for academically oriented intensive English programs.
Indicator
Email Queries
Emails from potential ELI applicants will indicate success of outreach efforts.
Criterion
60 Emails From Potential Applicants
The number of 60 potential students who email us for information will indicate success.
Finding
Email Queries Received
During the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters, a total of 60 students requested information about the ELI by email.
Indicator
ELI Enrollment
The change in total ELI enrollment from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011 will indicate success.
Criterion
Increase In ELI Enrollment
Increase from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011.
Finding
ELI Enrollment Trends
In Fall 2009, 41 students attended the ELI. In Fall 2010, that number went up to 48 students, an increase of 15%. In Spring 2010, 55 students attended the ELI. In Spring 2011, that number went up to 67 students, an increase of 22%.
Action
Website Development
Over the next year, the ELI will enlist the help of IT@SAM to develop new features for the website, including additional videos, online discussion forum and a contact form.
Action
Recruitment At International Fairs
We will attempt to increase our email queries and applications through making new potential student contacts at international fairs, either in person or using a recruiter.