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Course Syllabus

ESL 1000 International Student Orientation

  • Division: Humanities
  • Department: Languages & Linguistics
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 1; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: Students must have a current Foreign Student Visa to attend this course.
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 15
  • Maximum Class Size: 25

Course Description

This course provides incoming ESL students with the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and awareness to adapt to college life at Snow College. The course orients students to college life and culture while focusing on the following content areas: adjusting to American college culture, campus services, and US immigration law as it pertains to international students studying in the US.

Justification

ESL 1000 is a foundational course that addresses the academic, cultural, and regulatory expectations international students are expected to navigate in a U.S. higher education institution. This course provides structured, early guidance that promotes student success, retention, and compliance by ensuring students understand essential campus resources, institutional policies, and support services. ESL 1000 helps reduce barriers to engagement and academic performance, supports students’ sense of belonging, and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful and responsible transition into the college community.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of ESL 1000, students will be able to demonstrate awareness of cultural adjustment processes and employ strategies for managing culture shock and stress.
  2. Upon successful completion of ESL 1000, students will be able to demonstrate understanding of U.S. classroom culture, academic expectations, and student responsibilities.
  3. Upon successful completion of ESL 1000, students will be able to navigate campus facilities, services, and resources relevant to academic and personal success.
  4. Upon successful completion of ESL 1000, students will be able to apply basic academic integrity principles, including plagiarism avoidance and appropriate citation practices.
  5. Upon successful completion of ESL 1000, students will be able to apply time management, study skills, and goal-setting strategies to support academic success.

Course Content

Instruction focuses on helping ESL students understand culture shock and adapting to new situations, time management and planning, diverse American cultural norms (including honesty and plagiarism, and self-reflection) and planning of academic goals. Guest speakers from campus services (advisement, campus store, library, food services, IT services, Activity Center, etc.) will introduce resources they offer to all students. The Snow College Designated School Officials for the Department of Homeland Security will discuss rules and regulations of US immigration law in regards to international students studying in the US.