Community Engagement, Immersion, Teacher Training, and Customized Programs

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Community Engagement

APPLY TO THE IMMERSION PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND U.S. CULTURE IMMERSION PROGRAMS

Each of these programs will give you a unique and unforgettable experience of U.S. culture while you improve your English! Each program is also designed to meet JASSO requirements!

PROGRAM DETAILS:

The Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) is offering two short-term programs that provide an in-depth experience with U.S. culture combined with intensive preparation and follow up in English. There is a 3-week Community Engagement Program and a 4-week U.S. Culture Immersion Program. Applicants for the 3-week program must have at least a 400 TOEIC, 4.0 IELTS, 30 iBT, B1 level on the CEFR scale, or equivalent. Applicants for the 4-week program must have some English proficiency and be at the A2 level or higher on the CEFR scale. Each day of the program will consist of:

2 hours of preparation and follow up work:

  • Community Engagement Program: Preparation and follow up work in English will allow you to get the most out of your community experiences, understand them, compare them, prepare for your next ones, and decide how you might apply what you’ve learned to conditions in your own country. Moreover, activities will be assessed regarding the degree to which they work toward attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
  • U.S. Culture Immersion Program: Preparation and follow up work in English will support your activities in the community, teaching you the language you need to interact, have fun, and learn.

2 hours of activities in our Southern Illinois community: 

  • Community Engagement Program: You will engage in intensive on-site work with local people, working with local, regional and national organizations to improve the environment and the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. Also, as mentioned above, activities will be evaluated in terms of United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
  • U.S. Culture Immersion Program: You will experience a variety of social and cultural activities that give you a personal experience with how Americans help each other and enjoy their free time, learning American values and habits in the process.

VISA:

These short-term programs do not require a U.S. student visa (F-1). Applicants from qualifying countries can travel to the USA with an ESTA visa waiver (see Visa Waiver Program for a list of eligible countries) or with an existing B-2 tourist visa. Either one of these 2 visa options will make it easier for the participants to join this program.

Program dates for 2024:

  • 3-week Community Engagement Program:
    • 20 May – 7 June Program
    • Customized programs can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more
  • 4-week U.S. Culture Immersion Program (for groups of 10 or more students only):
    • 16 January – 10 February
    • 18 March – 12 April
    • 10 June – 5 July
    • 19 August – 13 September
    • 14 October – 8 November

PROGRAM COST:

The following table details program costs for the Community Engagement Program.

3-Week Community Engagement Program
CESL & SIU Fees Cost
Application Fee $50.00
Tuition & Fees (includes tech fee, ID card, and legal fee) $700.00
SIU fee: Recreation Center $28.00
SIU fee: Health Insurance & Health Center Access (includes mandatory tuberculosis screening) $281.00
Activity Fee $350.00
Local Bus Pass $30.00
Housing (Ambassador Hall; includes linens, all rooms share bathrooms with adjacent rooms) $500.00 (single)

$300.00 (double)*

* Any student who desires a double occupancy room must provide their own roommate. Ambassador Hall cannot provide roommates. Actual housing costs may vary somewhat from these stated figures.


The next table details program costs for the Culture Immersion Program.

4-Week U.S. Culture Immersion Program
CESL & SIU Fees Cost
Application Fee $50.00
Tuition & Fees (includes tech fee, ID card, and legal fee) $675.00
SIU fee: Recreation Center $36.00
SIU fee: Health Insurance & Health Center Access (includes mandatory tuberculosis screening) $327.00
Activity Fee $400.00
Local Bus Pass $30.00
Housing (Ambassador Hall; includes linens, all rooms share bathrooms with adjacent rooms) $500.00 (single)

$300.00 (double)*

* Any student who desires a double occupancy room must provide their own roommate. Ambassador Hall cannot provide roommates. Actual housing costs may vary somewhat from these stated figures.

APPLY TO THE IMMERSION PROGRAMS

TEACHER TRAINING AND OTHER CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS

CESL also offers teacher training and other customized programs designed to the customer's specifications. CESL has a long and successful history of offering such programs. For more information, please write directly to the CESL Director, Bill Hellriegel william.hellriegel@siu.edu