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    Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
    14542 Choate Circle
    Charlotte, NC 28273
    (704) 527-9909
    charinfo@gcts.edu
    Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. M-F

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Where are you? Home | Charlotte Future Students | Theological ESL Program

Theological ESL Program
The Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary – Charlotte Theological ESL Program is an intensive, three-semester program that combines theologically -focused ESL classes, American culture, and field trips over three semesters. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and advance credit for IS 502, Seminar in Research and Writing, an integrative seminar required for all GCTS degree programs.

Curriculum

Students attend 24 hours of class per week, Monday through Thursday, and participate in cultural activities and educational field trips each weekend. Classes are divided into three semester-long levels–Entry, Secondary, and Advanced/IS502. 

All students take four courses each semester:
Speaking/Listening, Reading/Vocabulary, Writing/Grammar, and American Culture. Each course requires active in-class involvement and the completion of out-of-class assignments.
 
Dates
Fall Semester - September 4 – December 14, 2012
Spring Semester - January 22 – May 3, 2013
Summer Semester - May 21 – August 16, 2013
Field Trips
Students participate in four weekend field trips. In addition to opportunities in the greater Charlotte, NC, area, students will visit the following sites:

•    Washington, D.C.
•    Atlanta, Georgia
•    The Great Smoky Mountains of NC and Tennessee
•    Atlantic Ocean coastal areas
 
Tuition
The program cost for the 2012-2013 academic year is $7,620 for tuition and books only. Room, board and other incidental costs are additional. Applicants must also pay the I-901 SEVIS fee as part of the visa process.
Application Procedures
  1. Create an application account here and complete the online application.
  2. Send the $250 deposit* by July 15, 2012 (for those seeking an F-1 visa) to the following address:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
14542 Choate Circle
Charlotte, NC 28273

As soon as your application has been approved, you will be mailed a letter of acceptance and an I-20 form so you can get an F-1 visa for study in the United States.

* The deposit is fully refunded if the applicant is unable to obtain a student visa.

Theological ESL Summer Immersion Program
The GCTS 2012 Summer Immersion Program is an intensive, four-week theological ESL program combining accelerated English language learning, educational travel, and American culture.

Curriculum
Students attend 18 hours of class per week and participate in cultural activities and educational field trips each weekend. Classes are divided into three skill levels–Entry, Secondary, and Advanced. Student placement is based on TOEFL scores.

All students take four courses:
Speaking/Listening, Reading/Vocabulary, Writing/Grammar, and American Culture. Classwork may include speaking activities, listening exercises, discussions, theological readings, vocabulary exercises, grammar exercises, and written composition. Each course requires active in-class involvement and the completion of out-of-class assignments.
Dates
June 28 through July 27, 2012
Field Trips
Students participate in four weekend field trips. In addition to opportunities in the greater Charlotte, NC, area, students will visit the following sites:

•    Washington, D.C.
•    Atlanta, Georgia
•    The Great Smoky Mountains of NC and Tennessee
•    Atlantic Ocean coastal areas
 
Tuition
The program cost for 2012 is $1,500 for tuition and books only. Room, board and other incidental costs are additional. Applicants must also pay the I-901 SEVIS fee as part of the visa process.   Note: All students must provide GCTS with their TOEFL score.
Application Procedures
  1. Create an application account here and complete the online application.
  2. Send the $250 deposit* by May 15, 2012 (for those seeking an F-1 visa) to the following address:

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
14542 Choate Circle
Charlotte, NC 28273

As soon as your application has been approved, you will be mailed a letter of acceptance and an I-20 form so you can get an F-1 visa for study in the United States.

* The deposit is fully refunded if the applicant is unable to obtain a student visa.

About The ESL Program
The GCTS Theological ESL Program is an intensive one-year course of study designed specifically to prepare international students for the rigors of seminary education. Study centers on three areas of English language learning: speaking/listening, reading/vocabulary, and writing/grammar, all with a focus on the development of the specific communication skills necessary for seminary success. In addition to attending classes, students will travel on four educational field trips and participate in many other local activities designed to immerse them in American culture. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and advance credit for IS 502, Seminar in Research and Writing, an integrative seminar required in all GCTS degree programs.

In summer 2012, GCTS will offer an intensive, four-week Theological ESL Summer Immersion Program. Students will increase their proficiency in the English language and their knowledge of American culture through an accelerated study of the English language, four educational field trips, and a variety of cultural activities.