Prospective students who require English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction prior to enrollment will now have a path to the University of Mary Washington, thanks to a new partnership with the International Language Academy of Washington, D.C. (ILA).
Beginning this fall, ILA will provide an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructional program at both the University’s Fredericksburg campus and ILA’s campus in McLean, Virginia. In addition, ILA will provide an ESL Bridge program at UMW, pending approval from Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a federal entity that maintains current information on non-immigrant students. The Bridge Program would allow students to directly transfer into Mary Washington upon completion of ILA’s Intensive English Program.
The Bridge track will provide highly motivated ILA students the opportunity to concurrently attend UMW. Those students, nearing the end of their language program, will live on the Fredericksburg campus and will have the opportunity to take advantage of co-curricular offerings, academic support services and more.
“The joint program is a strong fit for our students,” said ILA Director Dana Saif. “Mary Washington offers a variety of academic programs that not only give students wide options from which to choose, but will also provide them with the resources they need to succeed. The academically focused curriculum ILA offers will be the basis for a smooth transition for students who are interested in either the Bridge or the Non-Bridge program.”
Under the program, prospective students will apply and will indicate the option they prefer.
“The ESL and Bridge programs are important new resources for prospective students who need to strengthen their English language skills, and for those students who are seeking to attend UMW, the Bridge program will provide a strong foundation for academic study and a smooth transition through the application process to becoming a successful UMW student,” said Acting Provost Nina Mikhalevsky.
For more information, visit UMW Admissions or the ILA Bridge program.
