Hawaii Tokai International College

College Preparatory Program

Students who enter HTIC with limited English proficiency are enrolled in the College Preparatory Program. This five-level, integrated learning program emphasizes English as a Second Language (ESL) studies within the framework of liberal arts subject matter in a challenging, hands-on setting. Students who successfully complete the skills-based College Preparatory Program may apply to enter the Liberal Arts Program.

The College Preparatory Program

The College Preparatory Program is an academic English language curriculum designed for non-native English speaking students who lack the necessary skills to immediately pursue an Associate in Arts degree at HTIC. Courses within this curriculum introduce students to academic English and assist them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in an American institution of higher education.

The College Preparatory Program is divided into five levels, each with its own focus. The first level is pre-academic and focuses on the basic core skills of English listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Subsequent levels feature a unified approach to learning by cultivating the progressive development of students’ English language skills in core courses that are linked to content-based courses intended to give students experience in studying academic subject material in English. With additional instruction in fundamental classroom and study skills, including critical thinking, discussion and presentation, information literacy, note-taking, and exam-taking, these courses prepare students for academic success in college-level study. College Preparatory content courses focus on the study of world history, sociology, earth science, and American studies.

Entering College Preparatory Program students are placed in one of five levels based on performance in tests administered prior to the start of classes. Consideration is also given to past language training and previous TOEFL or other standardized test scores such as EIKEN, IELTS, and TOEIC.