Savannah College of Art and Design

SCAD offers an intensive, five-level English as a Second Language program for intermediate and advanced non-native speakers of English who need or want greater proficiency in the English language before progressing into academic programs at SCAD. In addition, SCAD Atlanta and SCAD Savannah offer ESL instruction for students who wish to improve their English skills without enrolling in academic programs at SCAD. The goals of the ESL Program are threefold: students will possess a) effective written communication skills b) effective oral communication skills c) awareness of effective cultural communication The SCAD ESL program in Savannah is approved by the American Association of Intensive English Programs and offers courses in all English language skills for academic purposes. Students are placed into the appropriate level of the ESL program by taking the ACTFL Proficiency Tests in their home countries or by taking the SCAD ESL test during orientation. Students can prove proficiency in English and receive a waiver for ESL by meeting one of a number of specific conditions before enrolling at SCAD. Specific requirements for ESL waiver are available online. Students who do not meet the requirements for the ESL waiver must take the SCAD ESL test upon arrival. The SCAD ESL program is offered year-round and is designed to prepare students to use English in an academic setting and to become conversant in topics related to the courses of study offered at SCAD. ESL faculty provide assistance with study skills and strategies, and introduce students to the United States university classroom environment, where active student participation and critical questioning are accepted, encouraged and expected.