ESL Students Center of New Program

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A new program at Ancilla College in Donaldson will focus on students whose primary language is something other than English. Participants in the Ancilla College English Language (ACEL) initiative will live on-campus and take extra classes designed to make the students college ready through "more intensive language skills training."

The classes will complement the school’s 25 degree programs and include social and cultural experiences. Vice president of enrollment Eric Wignall says "this is an immersive program for students who want to become prepared college students. This will include ESL students from the United States or around the world." He adds that Ancilla’s 600 students represent 20 different countries.

Overseas enrollment at the Catholic college has grown by more than 50 percent over the last six years. Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Sam Soliman says "the ACEL program is not limited to foreign students. We are seeing a lot of interest from first and second-generation students with some decent English skills but they want to be college-ready."

The program will launch this fall.