Description and Scholarships

Program Outline

English for Heritage Language Speakers (EHLS) is an intensive program of English language study for adults who already possess high levels of proficiency in another language. In the EHLS program, participants develop the English language skills and cultural awareness that they need to succeed in professional positions in U.S. government, business, and industry.

The university-based program has the following features:

• Intensive study of English: Participants devote 30 hours per week for 24 weeks to the development of advanced English language skills, and follow up with ongoing part-time work on writing and speaking skills
• Individualized instruction: Small group tutorials and one-on-one interaction are available to address each participant’s specific areas of need
• Extensive use of technology: Use of Internet-based resources provides exposure to a broad variety of relevant materials and learning opportunities
• Targeted assessment: Ongoing feedback from instructors and peers, as well as self-assessment, allows participants to measure progress, build on strengths, and address areas of need
  

The EHLS program has four two-month sessions. The first three sessions involve full-time, intensive study. The fourth two-month session involves part-time study. All program participants must attend all four sessions (eight months) of the program. Each participant receives a scholarship that covers tuition and fees for the full eight months and provides a modest living stipend and health insurance during the intensive portion (first six months). Read more >

Intensive sessions

The intensive sessions consist of 30 hours of instruction per week (6 hours per day).

Curriculum: The curriculum focuses on the linguistic, cultural, and critical thinking skills that make up professional proficiency in English. Topics include

• Professional interaction in the workplace
• Meeting participation and meeting management
• Professional writing: summary reports and analytical reports
• Presentation skills (with use of PowerPoint)
• Grammar refresher and individualized pronunciation work
• Web-based research

The curriculum includes completion of a major research project on a topic determined in consultation with a federal agency. Research draws on participants’ knowledge of their native languages and cultures, as well as their English language skills. Each participant presents the results of research in a formal symposium at the end of the six-month intensive program.

The curriculum also includes a job search component in which participants develop professional résumés and cover letters and explore online resources for finding federal employment opportunities.

Assessment: Participants are assessed regularly in two ways:

• Language skills assessment, covering listening, oral interaction, reading, and writing
• Professional performance evaluation, covering timeliness, attitude, participation, and teamwork

Participants are also formally assessed in listening and reading at the end of the third intensive session.

Participation: Every participant is expected to take part fully in the program, attending classes every day for the duration of the three intensive sessions. Participants may not work during the intensive portion of the program.

Part-time session

The fourth two-month session provides ongoing support in language learning and the job search process. This part-time session has three components: an online writing course, online job search support, and an onsite oral skills course.

Curriculum: The curriculum builds on what participants have learned in the intensive portion of the program and is tailored to their specific needs. Activities and exercises are drawn from the types of activities that former EHLS program participants do in their current positions with the federal government.

• Writing component: This is an online course; participants may take it from any location and are not required to be on campus for it. Instructors are available on campus to provide tutorial support in person for participants who wish it. All program participants are required to take the online writing component.
• Job search component: This is an online course; participants may take it from any location and are not required to be on campus for it. Instructors are available on campus to provide support in person for participants who wish it. All program participants are required to take the online job search component unless they have obtained a federal position before it begins.
• Oral skills component: This is an on-site course that takes place on the Georgetown University campus. This is an optional course; participants may opt out of it if they wish.

Assessment: Participants are assessed regularly through language skills assessment and professional performance evaluation. Participants are also formally assessed in speaking and writing at the end of the part-time session.

Participation: Every scholarship recipient is required to participate in the online writing component, and participants who have not obtained a position with the federal government by the end of the third intensive session are required to participate in the online job search component. Participants may opt out of the oral skills component. Participants may work part-time or full-time while enrolled in the two-month part-time session.

In 2012, the EHLS program will take place at Georgetown University in Washington, DC from January through August. Visit the EHLS Web site at Georgetown University for additional information about the program curriculum and schedule.

Program Purpose and Background

The EHLS program is designed for persons whose proficiency in the heritage language is at the Superior level (Level 3) or better as measured on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale. The program accepts participants whose English language proficiency is at the Advanced level (Level 2 or 2+), and supports their development of Superior level proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
More on language assessment >

EHLS enables participants to acquire the advanced language skills they need to pursue professional positions with the U.S. government. Participants have access to resources that will help them identify federal job opportunities; participants who receive scholarships must secure federal employment in order to fulfill a one-year service requirement.
More on the service requirement and the federal job market >

In early 2005, CAL conducted a feasibility study to identify the requirements and necessary parameters of the EHLS program. In carrying out the study, CAL collected information from federal agencies and consulted with heritage language experts, English as a second language experts, and language assessment experts. CAL completed the feasibility study in June 2005.

Download executive summary [pdf]

Download full study [pdf]