If you want to learn English, Central Texas College has just the program for you. CTC
offers English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) training for International students and
non-English speaking members of the local community. CTC combines in-class instruction
with master teachers and cultural assimilation activities to create
a learning environment conducive to rapid language acquisition.
The English as a Second Language Program, also known as the DSLA Program, is a 14-course program divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced level courses which students take over three academic terms.
Students with no TOEFL scores or scores under 520 initially pretest in listening, grammar, writing, and vocabulary for appropriate placement into required DSLA courses. This individualized course placement ensures that
students do not waste time taking courses they do not need. The ESL program includes courses in grammar, writing, reading, listening, speaking, TOEFL preparation, and accent reduction.
Students wishing to enroll in CTC must meet all general admissions requirements. They must also meet specific admission requirements for international students.
The faculty and staff of CTC want to ensure that you are successful in CTC's ESL programs. Therefore, we have established testing and placement guidelines that determine your course assignments.
Student Services
CTC provides comprehensive student services for international students through the Office of International Student Services. The Director and her staff work to assist foreign
nationals in enrolling in CTC; adapting to college life in America; and enjoying the social, cultural, and educational opportunities of central Texas.
No TOEFL or TOEFL Below 520: International students without TOEFL scores or with TOEFL scores below 520 will receive
a letter from CTC stating that they must arrive at school earlier than other students. This
is necessary because they are required to take a series of English language tests at this
time. These tests will determine if students need DSLA courses, if they need more
advanced programs (non-transferable credit), or if they are ready to begin regular
academic courses (transferable credit). The tests will also tell which DSLA courses are
appropriate for each student.
This early testing is extremely important because it generally saves students time and
money. Unlike other schools which require students to complete all courses of an English
language program before taking academic courses, CTC identifies student language
deficiencies, or weaknesses, and requires only those courses needed to improve
necessary language skills. If students can demonstrate through testing that they don't
need specific English language courses, they are allowed to skip those courses and go
on to more advanced ones. Therefore, it's possible, based on results of early testing, that
a student may be allowed to:
take DSLA classes from different levels at the same time
take some DSLA courses and some regular academic courses at the same time
demonstrate ESL mastery and skip DSLA entirely
Also, if a student successfully completes all DSLA courses, he is eligible to move into more advanced non-transferable credit courses and may be eligible to move into regular academic courses.
TOEFL 520+: Students who enter with a TOEFL score of 520 or more do not need to take DSLA courses
or participate in early English language testing. They must, however, follow the same
placement procedures as all other American students and take the CTC Placement Test.
This is a test of general skills in reading, writing, and math. It will determine if other
non-transferable credit courses (at a higher level than DSLA) are needed before taking
academic courses.
Program of Study
The English Language Training Program is called Developmental Studies Language Arts, or DSLA. Therefore,
English Language Training courses begin with the designation, DSLA. The entire
English Language Training Program is often called the DSLA Certificate Program.
DSLA classes are non-transferable credit courses.
Developmental Studies Language Arts courses are divided into three levels:
Level I
DSLA 0315
Grammar/Writing I (Grammar/Sentences)
DSLA 0310
Reading/Vocabulary I*
DSLA 0316
Listening I
DSLA 0317
Speaking I
Level II
DSLA 0314
Writing II (Paragraphs)
DSLA 0320
Reading/Vocabulary II*
DSLA 0322
Listening/Speaking II
DSLA 0340
Accent Reduction
Level III
DSLA 0302
Study Skills (and TOEFL prep)
DSLA 0332
Listening Speaking III
DSLA 0321
Writing III
DSLA 0330
Reading/Vocabulary III*
*Required for all students, regardless of level of course.
The DSLA program is offered three times a year: fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Each DSLA class meets two hours a day, 2 days a week, for 16 weeks during the fall and
spring semesters. During summer semester, classes meet 2 hours a day, 4 days a
week, for 9 weeks. Each class is worth 3 hours of non-transferable credit. On an F-1
visa, students must take 12 credit hours, or 4 courses, to maintain full-time status. In
addition, the following courses require 16 hours of additional lab time outside of class:
Computer Lab
Language Lab
Reading I
Reading II
Reading III
Writing I
Writing II
The College Study Skills class can be taken with courses from the 2nd or 3rd levels in the
DSLA program. This course includes instruction on American dictionary usage, library
skills, oral reporting, and TOEFL preparation. Students practice parts of the TOEFL and
take a practice TOEFL exam in class. At the end of the course, students take an actual
paper-based TOEFL exam in the CTC testing center, though this is not transferable to other institutions because we are not an official TOEFL testing center.
Student to teacher ratio varies depending upon enrollment from 5-1 to 15-1.
At Central Texas College, we identify and serve our unique, global community needs
and provide quality teaching through an accessible learning environment.
