English as a Second Language Program
English as a Second Language Program
As an American institution in one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world, the American University of Nigeria helps you acquire the academic English skills you need to ensure success across all degree programs.
Our faculty designed the English as a Second Language Program to help you acquire the skills you need for success at AUN. The program consists of two one-semester courses, which award you, potentially, an English-language Diploma or an English-language Certificate.
The ESL Certificate Course
The program consists of two three-credit courses, complemented with immersion into AUN’s English-speaking community and an array of support resources, including access to the University’s Writing Center, personalized feedback, and continuous assessment of progress.
- ENG 100A English as a Second Language: Expressive Skills (Writing and Speaking)
- ENG 100B English as a Second Language: Receptive Skills (Reading and Listening)
The ESL Certificate Course (6 credits) is designed for learners with limited English-language proficiency. The curriculum has a concentric format and is structured to develop basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS). This course aims focuses on receptive (listening and reading) and expressive (speaking and writing) skills, while also fostering cultural understanding and preparing students for language use in everyday and academic contexts. Students who have completed the six months’ language program will develop a modest level of fluency on topics of personal knowledge and professional competence.
The ESL Diploma Course
The program consists of two three-credit courses that follow a rigorous, research-based curriculum to move students along a continuum of language acquisition in preparation for academic study in English.
- ENG 100C Advanced English as a Second Language: Expressive Skills (Advanced Writing and Speaking)
- ENG 100D Advanced English as a Second Language: Receptive Skills (Advanced Reading and Listening)
The ESL Diploma Course (6 credits) will also equip learners with the requisite English language skills necessary to succeed in academic contexts where English language is used. It is designed to increase fluency in all four skills areas, enhance critical thinking and comprehension, and support language confidence and cultural adaptation. Upon the successful completion of the Diploma course, students continue to improve their English-language skills through AUN’s rigorous writing classes (Composition I and II) as well as classes that fulfill general education and major/minor degree requirements.
Placement and Evaluation
Students whose native language is not English are admitted conditionally to the University, pending the confirmation of their proficiency in English, based on submitted test scores or the University’s Writing Placement Test. The following table lists the scores required for placement into to the ESL Program or directly into University writing courses (WRI 100 Introduction to Composition or WRI 101 Composition I):
| Test | ESL Certificate Program | ESL Diploma Program | WRI 100 or WRI 101 (Writing Placement Test) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet-based TOEFL (IB) | 50 | 63 | 80 |
| IELTS | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| IELA | 169 | 176 | 185 |
| Cambridge Exams | B2 | C | Level C1 or higher |
| IB English B Standard/Higher Levels | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Both the ESL Certificate and ESL Diploma courses assess students’ language acquisition and fluency through continuous assessment, starting with a Pretest (the AUN Writing Placement Test) and ending with the Post-test (Exit Certificate Examination); faculty measure student progress continuously throughout the semester.
Upon the successful completion of the ESL Certificate Course, students will proceed to WRI 101 Composition I if they have the requisite AUN Writing Placement Test grades. Conversely, students who score lower grades will continue with the ESL Diploma Program the following semester or may be required to repeat the Certificate Course.
Credits earned in the ESL Certificate and Diploma courses do not count toward your AUN degree. Students enrolled in them may register for up to 12 additional credits, in consulation with their academic advisors, which keeps them on schedule for their graduation. Certification for course participation vary from Certificate and Diploma awards, which will be determined by the number of course modules taken by students.