AGES 12–18Learn to speak English with fluency, increase your TOEFL score, and have fun with new friends with our intensive summer ESOL program! ESOL @Ross, designed for all levels of English language learners, offers immersive instruction, activities, and excursions. Small interactive classes, individual attention, and experienced native-English-speaking teachers are critical to helping each student achieve a greater depth of understanding and increased English fluency. In their time outside of class, students share spacious and luxurious boarding houses with native English speakers and join them for guided trips to local beaches, area entertainments like bowling and horseback riding, and even New York City.

Based on current research, Ross School’s innovative approach to teaching English to students who speak other languages immerses students in collaborative project-based courses to improve their language acquisition. Students achieve a higher level of fluency and develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills as part of Ross’s proven content program. In addition, students have daily opportunities to explore the arts, wellness, and recreation.

All students take approximately 15 hours per week of ESOL (English as a Second Language) instruction, with 2.5 additional hours per week dedicated to TOEFL preparation or an ESOL-based project.Beginning
This introductory course is for students with limited English fluency (CEFR A2/B1 levels). Students learn English while studying the history of the United States, using art and architecture to gain an understanding of how such works reveal the values of a nation. Instruction in writing sentences and short paragraphs enhances grammatical skills, and historical fiction selections strengthen reading skills. Students further their speaking and listening abilities by giving short presentations, participating in class discussions, and creating their own short films, animations, and theater productions using state-of-the-art studio equipment.Intermediate
In this course, students with CEFR levels of B1/B2 enhance their English skills while exploring the cultural practices, art, architecture, and music of ancient and medieval civilizations. Instruction in longer paragraphs and short academic essays expands students’ writing and grammar skills, and historical fiction and literature of the period are used to improve their English language reading ability. Students continue to develop their speaking and listening skills by participating in presentations and class discussions and by creating short films, animations, and theater productions.

Advanced Skills Workshop
Students with a high level of English proficiency (CEFR C1/C2) work in small classes to fine-tune their language skills. Workshops address high-level academic skills like literary analysis, historical thinking, research, and essay writing while students learn about medieval and renaissance time periods. These workshops are designed to challenge students to reach a level of English fluency necessary for success in both secondary and post-secondary education. Students who complete the Advanced Skills Workshop during Summer Term @Ross may test out of the ESOL program at Ross School.