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Program Information and Dates

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Program Information


Overview

By enrolling in any CESL classes, you will have access to feedback on all your English language questions by certified ESL professionals with master's degrees or higher in the field.  Successfully completing CESL's OU Track  will enable academically admissible candidates to enroll in the University of Oklahoma!

Apply now for any of our upcoming sessions. you must apply by the deadline to have enough time to obtain your F-1 visa.

Admission to the University of Oklahoma is NOT required to enroll with CESL.

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Questions?

International Student Admissions

For more information about applying to OU as an international student, visit the OU International Admissions website.

Contact CESL

For more Information, contact us at 405-325-2351 or esl@ou.edu.

Program Options

Academic English Program

This program is designed for those wishing to meet English proficiency requirements in order to become an OU student.

Part-time English Program

This course is designed for people who do not need a student visa but want to study English and improve their reading, writing, speaking, listening and grammar skills. 

Special Programs

CESL offers special programs and services to groups that have specific English instruction needs.

Academic English Program

Program Highlights

  • Core course - Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Grammar

  • IELTS or TOEFL iBT test preparation

  • Seminar courses, which include University Preparation, Everyday English and 21st Century Discussions

  • 20 hours of instruction per week
  • Student access to the University of Oklahoma resources and facilities
  • Professionally trained and highly experienced instructors and staff
  • OU Track that allows qualified students to be admitted to OU with lower IELTS and iBT TOEFL scores

who can attend CESL 

F-1 or J-1 visa types are eligible for our full-time Intensive English Program. Applicants must be 17 or older. Contact us at esl@ou.edu for questions about other visa types before proceeding with the application process.


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group of seven people standing in a line outdoors near OU flag

OU Track

Do you want to attend the top-ranked University of Oklahoma, but your TOEFL and IELTS scores are too low?

OU Track is a unique program at CESL that allows qualified students to quickly improve their language skills in order to meet the requirements to attend the University of Oklahoma. OU Track is completed in only one semester (two consecutive sessions) at CESL. Because CESL students have strong English proficiency skills, the University of Oklahoma is able to admit our students as soon as the students successfully complete the OU Track program.


Advantages of OU Track

  • Qualify for OU with lower English proficiency test scores
  • Take university preparation classes
  • Get support from CESL advisors, International Student Services, University College advisors, OU admissions and the Academic Integrity Office as you prepare for your OU degree program
  • Prepare for the university academically, culturally, and socially through events, classes and activities

Requirements to Join OU Track

To be placed in the OU Track at CESL, you must:

  1. Be in the Advanced Levels 
  2. Have the following English proficiency scores:
    • iBT must be 61 or higher
    • IELTS must be 5.5 or higher

Completing OU Track and Entering OU

To complete the OU Track and gain admission to the University of Oklahoma, you must:

For questions or more information about OU Track, contact Cory Northern at bladenorthern@ou.edu.

General English Part-time Program

Join our part-time general ESL course for those without a student visa!

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 The part-time English program is for adults (age 17 and older) who do not need a student visa -- classes are from 9 am to 12 noon, Monday -Thursday. 


Program Highlights

  • Learn English language skills needed for daily life
  • Learn to interact in conversations, ask questions, and respond correctly
  • Learn grammar structures, reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills

You will receive a participation certificate at the end of the course.


Requirements

  • Must be age 17 or older
  • Must be living or traveling in the United States. We cannot issue an I-20 for this course.

Cost

  • Session Fee: $1542 per 7-week  session (fall, spring), $1322 for 6-week summer sessions
  • Application Fee: $125 non-refundable

Applications cannot be processed until the $125 application fee has been paid in full.

Special Programs

CESL offers special programs and services to groups who have specific English instruction needs. OU Center for English as a Second Language can work with your organization to create a custom program that works for your students. Below are some programs we have conducted in the past. For more information about a custom program, please contact Mary Martin at mary.martin@ou.edu or (405) 325-2351.

Past Programs

OU-CESL was privileged to host students from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, every year for more than 25 years. Each February, approximately 25 students traveled from Japan to Norman to learn English and experience American family and campus life.

The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program (BSMP) offered Brazilian students the opportunity to study abroad in the United States. BSMP was part of the Brazilian government's larger initiative to grant 100,000 Brazilian university students the opportunity to study abroad at the world's best colleges and universities.

CESL is pleased to welcome Angolan students who have been awarded the prestigious Sonangol scholarship. After finishing their English studies, they will pursue majors in the energy sector.

CESL was honored to participate in the initiative between the governments of Mexico and the United States to bring 100,000 Mexican learners to study in the United States. CESL hosted several cohorts during this project’s duration.

In conjunction with the Oficina de Relaciones Interinstitucionales at Corhuila University in Colombia, CESL hosted a cohort of professors for language instruction and cultural exchange.

CESL is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as part of its Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. For more information, visit fulbright.state.gov.

This activity is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

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Sessions, Courses, and Dates

CESL’s curriculum is made up of Core Courses and Seminar Courses.

Traditional, in-person classes meet 20 hours per week, between 9 to 3 p.m, Monday through Thursday. Each session is 7 weeks long in the fall and spring, and 6 weeks long in the summer. 

Sessions and Important Dates

SemesterSessionOrientationSession DatesApplication Deadline
Summer 20241May 20, 2024May 21 to June 27, 2024April 10, 2024
Summer 20242July 8, 2024July 9 to August 15, 2024May 28, 2024
Fall 20241August 26, 2024August 27 to October 10, 2024July 15, 2024
Fall 20242October 21, 2024October 22 to December 5, 2024September 9, 2024
Spring 20251January 27, 2025January 27 - March 13December 16, 2024
Spring 20252March 24, 2025March 24 - May 8February 13, 2025
Summer 20251May 19, 2025May 19 - June 26April 9, 2025
Summer 20252July 7, 2025July 7 - August 14May 26, 2025

Core Courses

What are core courses?

  • Focus on the integrated skills of reading/vocabulary, grammar/writing and listening/speaking
  • Offered at CEFR levels
    • A1 – Elementary
    • A2 – Pre - Intermediate
    • B1 – Intermediate
    • B2 – Upper Intermediate 
    • C1 - Advanced (UniPrep)
  • Meet from 9:00am to 11:50am (12 hours of class per week)

Note: These levels are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Levels will be determined by your placement tests before classes begin
 


Seminar Courses

Seminar courses cover a wide range of subjects, from test preparation to conversational English. These courses meet from 1-2:50 p.m (8 hours of class per week). Seminar classes may vary each session;  here are examples of the topics we offer:

  • IELTS Test Preparation
  • TOEFL iBT Test Preparation
  • American History and Government
  • Everyday English
  • Project-Based Grammar
  • Pronunciation

OU Track University Preparation Course

The University Preparation course is only required for students who enroll in our Academic English Program – OU Track. It is offered from 1:00 to 2:50 pm and is taken in place of a seminar class in the last 2 sessions before joining the university.