California’s Westcliff University has announced their full online REAL Intensive English Programme. As per sources, REAL or Reimagining English as an Additional Language is a programme that will offer the students a chance at earning credits while also achieving English Proficiency through fully remote courses, which is a first of its kind offering from a university.
The REAL Intensive English Programme was created by Westcliff as a means to prepare international students for higher education through intensive coursework. The programme will train students from beginner to upper-intermediate English Proficiency in limited time.
The programme also offers four levels of courses. Students who are able to complete level three will qualify them for undergraduate courses. Those completing level four will be qualified to enrol in graduate programmes.
Along with assisting students in reaching the required proficiency levels, the REAL Intensive English Programme will also be available to corporations or individuals who are interested in improving their English Proficiency for personal development.
Julie Ciancio, Dean of the College of Education and Dean of International Development at Westcliff University claimed that the University is the first to offer 100% remote intensive English programme that carries academic credit. She added that there was only one other university that even offered a fully intensive English Programme.
She added that the content and the rigour of the programme that provides college readiness to the students also allows the university to offer academic credits for each completed levels.
As stated earlier, the REAL Programme focuses on English as an additional language, while other programmes focus on English as a Foreign or Second Language (EFL/ESL). This acknowledges and celebrates the existing mother tongues, cultures and multilingualism as well as engage students during their learning process.
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Prior to launching the programme, the University held a 6-month development phrase along with a test run in August 2020. As per sources, the REAL Programme will follow a flipped classroom model. In other words, the students will be expected to learn and prepare for classes in advance. Thus, the students will then be able to interact with their peers and lecturers while also participating in an interactive learning environment that dives deep into real-life applications as well.
The University also offers a REAL Bridge Programme, which allows students to take up a two-degree course to provide a stronger jump-start earning credits.
