Admission Types and Requirements

English as Second Language (ESL) Student

Definition of English as Second Language (ESL) Student

An English as Second Language (ESL) student is a nonresidents of the US who is admitted to study English at Otterbein University because he/she doesn’t fulfill the English proficiency requirement.

Otterbein ESL Program

Otterbein’s ESL Program provides the perfect setting to improve your English for academic or professional goals. Each of our course levels combines speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar, while developing academic skills in research and note taking when focusing on a variety of relevant and interesting topics. Students are typically in classes for 4-5 hours each day. Students may also participate in weekly conversation partner practice with an American Otterbein student. See brochure here.

ESL Levels

At Otterbein, we offer six levels of ESL classes. Placement is determined by our on-campus placement test given prior to the first day of classes. The chart below offers a general outline of our levels:

See the ESL course list here.

ESL Session Dates

Otterbein University’s ESL academic calendar consists of seven sessions (four 7-week sessions & three 4-week sessions) throughout the year. Fall and Spring sessions have classes Monday – Thursday, and January Term and Summer sessions have classes Monday – Friday.

Application Requirements

To apply, students must have graduated from high school or received an equivalent diploma from a secondary school. If a student is under 18, the student may enroll in the program under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

Required Materials:

Application Form

Can be found here.

Secondary Transcripts (or High School Transcripts)

Send original or certified true copies of the original official transcripts/documents for course work from the college (if you attended any college) or final four years of high school/secondary school (grades 9-12). An official translation in English must accompany all transcripts. Transcripts are documents that list the courses you took, grading scale, and the marks/grades you obtained after completing these courses. If you took college courses while in high school, you must submit official transcripts of your college course work. Please upload it on your application and bring the original documents to Otterbein when you arrive.

University Transcripts (If you are currently a college student)

Send original or certified true copies of the original official transcripts/documents for course work from the university/college you currently enrolled. An official translation in English must accompany all transcripts. Transcripts are documents that list the courses you took, grading scale, and the marks/grades you obtained after completing these courses.  Please upload it on your application and bring the original documents to Otterbein when you arrive.

Sponsor’s Guarantee

You and your sponsor must complete this form. If you are paying tuition from your own personal funds, only complete the “Source of Support” section on page 2.

Bank Statement

Sponsors must ask their bank to certify in a letter or bank statement that sufficient funds for educational expenses are available to meet the expenses for one academic year. Unsponsored students must send a bank statement from their own bank. Please upload it on your application and bring the original documents to Otterbein when you arrive.

English Testing Results

Provide an official report sent from either the Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Otterbein’s code is 1597. You may send a copy of your results temporarily, but you must have the official report sent before you will be allowed to register for classes at Otterbein. The minimum TOEFL requirements for entry into the English as a Second Language Program  for the paper-based test is 310; you need a minimum of 100 for the computer-based test; and a score of at least 35 is needed for the Internet-based test. The IELTS requirement is a score of 3 for entry into the intensive English program.

Visa Information

A photocopy of your passport information page, US visa and I-20/DS-2019. (IAP-66 if you are currently in the US)

Deadline:

Deadline depends the session for which you are applying. Please visit here for more information.

Financial Requirements:

ESL tuition, on-campus room and board charges for the 2014- 2015 academic year are listed below. Please note the room and board rates represent base amounts. Actual charges may vary depending on your room assignment. Additional charges may include private (applied) music lessons, equine science fees, nursing fees and science lab fees. Please refer to the fee schedule in the Otterbein University Course Catalog and master schedule of classes for details.

Estimated Additional Costs -- $3,132

The bank statement must show sufficient funds (total amount above: $22,892).

Note about Foreign Language Documents

Foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator, or a teacher of the language.

The ESL program accepts students at all levels. All students are required to take the ESL placement test at the start of the program to determine placement level. 

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/ CIEGE Office

The CIEGE Office is located at 172 W. Main St, Westerville, OH 43081

Office Hours:
M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
M-F: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Summer)

Contact:
Phone: 614-823-3263
Email: ciege@otterbein.edu

Mail:
Center for International Education and Global Engagement
1 South Grove Street
Westervill, OH 43081