Webster's ESL Program Levels
The ESL program at Webster University, St. Louis currently consists of two levels — Level 4 and Bridge Level.
- In Level 4 of our ESL program, we use a sustained content-based approach, which means that every ESL student in Level 4 ESL attends one undergraduate content course in addition to ESL classes. The skills work in ESL classes reflect the topics and assignments of typical American university coursework, and for Level 4 students, they specifically relate to the undergraduate content course assignments.
- The Bridge level consists of high-level academic English classes which focus on preparation for actual university-level coursework. Those courses are usually taken in conjunction with a student’s first undergraduate or graduate courses.
Enrollment options are designed to meet the needs of multilingual students at varying levels of English proficiency.
Questions? Contact the ESL Director
Carolyn Trachtova, ESL Program Director
Email: ctrachtova77@webster.edu
Phone: 314-246-7757
Enrollment Process
There are two ways to study ESL at Webster University.
- Students who wish to study ESL at Webster University and then continue in their studies to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree should start the admissions process with our international admissions team. The process for applying to the ESL program is the same as for all international students who are interested in studying at Webster.
- Students who wish to study ESL only can apply as non-degree-seeking students. When students are filling out the non-degree application, for the level of interest, choose "Undergraduate study" (ESL courses are undergraduate level courses). Then, choose the St. Louis campus. For the term, choose "other." When it asks for courses, write "ESL study full time only." The minimum number of terms required for non-degree-seeking students is two 8-week terms or one semester.
Students do need to submit a standardized test score that establishes their English proficiency. This can be a TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo, Pearson test. We accept other tests — to confirm other possibilities, please contact the ESL Director. To schedule a placement exam, please contact the ESL Director.
All test days are considered tentative. Please email ESL Program Director to confirm.
Online, synchronous placement testing is available. Please contact the ESL Director at ctrachtova77@webster.edu to set up individual online testing.
Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future graduate students or undergraduate students
Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future undergraduate students only
Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future graduate students or undergraduate students
*Individual test dates also available
All test days are considered tentative. Please email ESL Program Director to confirm.
Online, synchronous placement testing is available. Please contact the ESL Director at ctrachtova77@webster.edu to set up individual online testing.
Monday, Jan. 4, 2025 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future graduate students or undergraduate students
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future undergraduate students only
Friday, March 14, 2025 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future graduate students or undergraduate students
Friday, May 23, 2025 (EPT, written, oral)
Recommended for future graduate students or undergraduate students
*Individual test dates also available
*all times approximate except start time*
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
CaMLA EPT: 60 minutes
Written Exam: 90 minutes for reading and writing and essay
Oral Exam: 15 or so minutes per student
Additional Notes
- Please call or email ctrachtova77@webster.edu to confirm the testing room location before the test date.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to test time in order to check in. The test usually begins at 10 a.m. Please contact Carolyn Trachtova to verify.
- Please bring #2 pencils and a picture ID.
- You can use a paper dictionary for the written portion. No electronic dictionaries or cell phones can be used during the test.
Additional information about the test can be obtained in the ESL Office, 405 Browning Hall (ISB) by appointment.
ESL Course Content
Level 4 includes five ESL courses per term. The core courses are:
- Academic Reading
- Academic Writing
- Academic Study Skills
Those courses are offered every term.
Other skills alternate academic terms. These courses include:
- Pronunciation
- Oral Presentation
- Cultural Keywords (Academic Vocabulary)
ESL Tuition/Fees 2024-2025
Full-time Program (Level 4)
- Students are registered for and earn 6 ESL undergraduate elective credits per level per term.
- Students attend minimally 18 clock hours of ESL coursework and 3 clock hours of an undergraduate content course per week.
- Students who attend two terms or more (Level 4 and Bridge level) will pay a flat fee of $15,725 per semester (one semester equals two terms).
- Individual ESL classes are $475/credit hour, and range from 1-3 credits, depending on the course.
- This figure does not include living expenses, fees, mandatory health insurance or books and supplies.
| Semesters When Start at Level 4 | Semester Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (two 8-week terms) | Level 4 (Term 1 + Term 2) ESL courses plus 1 undergraduate course | $15,725 per semester |
| Semester 2 (two 8-week terms) | Bridge (Term 1 + Term 2) plus undergraduate courses | $15,725 per semester |
| Total for Both Level 4 and Bridge Sequence | Complete Level 4 first semester, Bridge second semester | Flat Fee: $31,450 per academic year |
BRIDGE Program (Advanced)
- Students are registered for and earn 6 ESL undergraduate elective credits per level per term.
- Students enroll in ESL for two terms, taking one ESL class per term at the same time as one or two undergraduate classes per term or semester.
- Students enrolled in two terms or more will pay a flat fee of $15,725 per semester (one semester equals two terms).
- Individual ESL credits are $475/credit hour. Undergraduate classes are charged at the regular undergraduate tuition rate.
- This figure does not include living expenses, fees, mandatory health insurance or books and supplies.
| Semesters When Start at Bridge | Semester Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (two 8-week terms) | Bridge (Term 1 + Term 2) plus undergraduate courses | $15,725 per semester (Combination of one ESL class per term and undergraduate courses) |
| Semester 2 (two 8-week terms) | Undergraduate courses only | Flat fee: $15,725 for semester of undergraduate courses |
| Total for Bridge Sequence and Undergraduate Coursework | Complete Level 4 first semester, Bridge second semester | Flat Fee: $31,450 per academic year |
Full-time Program (Level 4): 6 credits per level per term
- Students attend minimally 18 clock hours of ESL coursework.
- Students enroll in six credits of ESL for two 8-week terms (at $380/credit hour, for a total of $4,560).
- This figure does not include living expenses, fees, mandatory health insurance or books and supplies.
| Semesters When Start at Level 4 | Semester Description | ESL Coursework Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (two 8-week terms) | Level 4 (Term 1 + Term 2) ESL courses totaling 12 ESL credits | $4,560 for both terms plus any graduate tuition. |
| Semester 2 (two 8-week terms) | Bridge (Term 1 + Term 2) ESL courses totaling 6 ESL credits | $2,280 for both terms plus any graduate tuition. |
| Total for Both Level 4 and Bridge Sequence | Complete Level 4 first semester, Bridge second semester | $6,840 for one academic year of ESL coursework (graduate tuition not included in total) |
BRIDGE Program: 6 credits (two terms)
- Students enroll in ESL for two terms, taking two ESL classes and one graduate class during each term.
- ESL tuition-only is $1,140 per class. Total is $2,280 for both ESL courses.
- Graduate fees will be charged at the regular graduate tuition rate.
| Semesters When Start at Bridge | Semester Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (two 8-week terms) | Bridge (Term 1 + Term 2) ESL courses totaling 6 ESL credits | $2,280 for one semester of ESL coursework (graduate tuition not included in total) |
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