ESL Programs Key to Success for International Students Who Study in US

International students and their families have begun to view the United States as a land of educational opportunity. According to a recent report prepared for the Institute of International Education, a record setting 720,000 international students attended US school and college programs during the 2010-2011 academic year. The study considered anyone on a non-immigrant student visa to be an international student. While many students come to earn a degree from a US college or university, a high number of students also come to learn to speak English at an ESL school or program in major cities around the country.

International students come to study in the United States from just about every country on the globe. However, the top five countries of origin for foreign students include:

• China
• India
• South Korea
• Canada
• Taiwan

In fact, students from these countries account for over half of all the foreign students studying in the U.S. Since 2000, these numbers increased by about thirty percent. However, you may be surprised to learn that for more than sixty years, international students have chosen to study in the United States more than any other country in the world.

International students attend programs throughout the country. Some colleges and universities attract large numbers of foreign students. However, no US school tops the list in all categories. For foreign PhD candidates, more than 8,600 chose to study at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Among schools with international students studying for their master’s degree, Connecticut’s University of Bridgeport attracted over 2,500. However, 6,973 international students came to study in the San Francisco Bay Area and earn their master’s degree, far more than nearly any other area of the country. According to the 2011 Report, international students earning bachelor’s degrees seem to study at a wider variety of schools and colleges around the US. However, among specialized academic institutions, San Francisco’s Academy of Art University tops the list with over 3,897 foreign students.

Many academic institutions welcome foreign students because they often can afford to pay higher tuition and fees. However, scholarships for foreign students and international student loans allow about one-third of students from outside of the United States to pay for their education. Despite the higher costs, many international students and their families welcome the opportunity to further their education, earn a degree and improve their prospects for the future. Some foreign students choose to remain in the US after graduating to work and become citizens. Others return to their home countries and find good jobs where they can use their knowledge to benefit their country.

The US education system differs from many other systems around the world. In other systems, students must pass a series of difficult exams throughout the secondary school years. These systems often prevent students who don’t achieve passing scores from pursuing higher education. Most four year US colleges and universities require students to pass an exam such as the SAT or an English language test (for English as a second language students) and meet certain qualifications regarding their grades. However, students can also attend community college for 2 years and then proceed to a four year school. The education system in the United States affords many more students, both citizens and non-citizens, the opportunity to ultimately earn a four year degree.

Many foreign students lack one critical skill which prevents them from earning a degree from a US educational institution. Basic English language skills won’t be enough to allow you to do well at an American college and university where students must interact with native English speakers. While many countries around the world provide students with English language instruction, most international students don’t graduate from secondary school in foreign countries with the advanced English abilities they need.

Language experts acknowledge non-native speakers learn to speak English better and faster in an immersive environment. You could learn to speak English in a San Francisco ESL program and be prepared to attend a US college or university in a relatively short period of time. Studying English in the US also helps students experience and learn about American culture. This allows foreign students to become comfortable with life in the US before beginning to study for a two or four year degree.

Organizations such as the Global ESL Network exist to provide international students with the resources, information and support they need to find the right English language program. After completing an ESL program, you’ll be ready to attend university or college in North America or qualify for a better job. Many ESL schools even offer courses to prepare students for English language tests such as TOEFL or TOEIC. Most academic institutions require international students to achieve a particular score on these English language exams to qualify for admission. Scores on tests such as the Business English Certificate exam and Accounting and Finance English test also verify your English ability for employers.

As demonstrated by the Open Doors 2011 Report, academic institutions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area attract thousands of international students each year. A variety of excellent schools welcome students from foreign countries and provide these students with the opportunity to earn a degree, something that might be out of reach in their home country.

In international business, and especially the field of international law, professionals conduct business in English. Students who spend several years in the United States can build a network of connections and friendships to help them succeed if they go on to find work with a company in the US, Canada or a multi-national corporation that conducts business worldwide. Even students who plan to return to their native country benefit from learning to speak excellent English. Employees with advanced English skills qualify for better opportunities with companies who conduct business internationally. Discover the many benefits of learning to speak English in San Francisco and other large cities throughout North America. Don’t let limited English ability prevent you from studying at a US university or college to achieve your academic and career goals.