International students have unlimited opportunities to practice and learn English at Monte Vista from the moment they enter - in the dormitory, on the playing fields, in drama and band, in the classroom and especially in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. Intermediate and advanced ESL classes enable students to succeed in Monte Vista's outstanding academic programs and make dramatic progress in English.

All International students new to Monte Vista who have not provided a TOEFL score will be given the Institutional TOEFL test upon their arrival at the school.  This test score will be used to validate placement in the mainstream curriculum, or if the student’s score is below 475, the school reserves the right to place students accepted as mainstream in our ESL program.

Monte Vista’s one-year English as a Second Language Program is a strong comprehensive program.  It is designed for students who demonstrate intermediate to advanced English skills.  Students must achieve a minimum TOEFL test score of 425 (113 points on the computerized TOEFL test, 38 on the internet based TOEFL test, not including Speaking), to be accepted into the ESL program.

International students who have provided a SLEP score will be required to take the Institutional TOEFL test upon their arrival at Monte Vista.  Monte Vista no longer accepts SLEP scores for academic placement.

In addition to ESL/mainstream academic placement, TOEFL scores are used by the academic departments to validate a student’s placement in AP and/or Honors classes. 

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

The Monte Vista’s one-year English as a Second Language Program is a strong comprehensive program.  It is designed for students who demonstrate intermediate to advanced English skills.  Students must achieve a minimum TOEFL test score of 425 (113 points on the computerized TOEFL test, 38 on the internet based TOEFL test) prior to enrollment. 

• Reading is designed to teach effective reading comprehension strategies, to strongly expand English vocabulary, and to raise reading comprehension and speech skills in English.
• Speaking & Listening is designed to increase English speaking proficiency through vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation and grammar practice, as well as through formal speech assignments.  Listening skills are increased through discussions and audio tape exercises.
• Both Intermediate Writing and Advanced Writing are designed to improve basic English grammar, to refine composition mechanics, and to strongly develop both oral and written fluency in English.  ESL Intermediate Writing differs from ESL Advanced Writing in that topics are reviewed more thoroughly and students are graded on a less competitive scale in the Intermediate class.

While each course is taught separately from the others, they all complement one another in guiding students to develop their English comprehension and usage skills.

These courses are taken in conjunction with mainstream classes and, upon their completion, and upon achieving a TOEFL score of 475, the student is completely mainstreamed. 

ESL Fee: $3,000

Summer English Language Institute

Monte Vista Christian School’s English Language Institute offers an effective way for international students to learn English. This is accomplished by attending intensive ESL classes, learning American customs, and visiting local cultural attractions. Reading, writing, conversation and grammar are included to prepare the student for mainstream classes. This program is beneficial to students who are preparing for the TOEFL exam and continuing their education in American schools, or just want to improve their English conversation skills. Courses are designed to accommodate beginning through advanced level students. Students are grouped according to their English language proficiency level.

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