English for Heritage Language Speakers Program at Georgetown University

Program Description
Please note that information on this page was updated on July 29, 2008.

The EHLS Scholarship Program is designed to take students from advanced English proficiency to professional-level proficiency within eight months. This is the only program of its kind to help students achieve this goal in such a short time.

The program requires a full-time commitment to classes and homework throughout the first six months of the course. For the final two months, classes are conducted on-line with workshops on campus on Saturdays.

Scholarships with living stipends are offered to all accepted students in the program. By accepting, scholars agree to concentrate solely on the course work and not hold any other form of employment during the first six months.

The curriculum focuses on communication skills and strategies for government-related jobs. It provides many opportunities for students to:
• practice their skills in authentic communication situations, and
• learn directly from people who work in various branches of the government.

The GU-EHLS Program includes:

• Field trips: Students will have the opportunity to visit various government and non-government agencies. Among those scheduled in 2008 were the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Commerce, and the National Security Agency (NSA).
• Guest speakers: Speakers from various branches of the government and other renowned intellectuals are invited to meet with the students. Guests this year included:
  • Jack Coleman, Republican General Counsel, House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Robert Sutter, Visiting Professor of Asian Studies at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University
  • Greta Morris, Dean of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI)
  • Doris Johnson, Scholarship and Special Programs Manager, Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
• Research projects: Students develop final research projects to present to members of the intelligence community. For the previous two years, scholars have worked on individual projects selected by the Defense Intelligence Agency, using non-classified open-source materials. Read about the 2007 student projects in this article from the DIA Communique, "The World Comes to DIA's Doorstep." 
• Seminars with recruiters: Representatives from agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency meet with our students to talk about career opportunities in their areas. 
• Language exchange partners: Students are matched with Georgetown foreign language students for regular conversation practice. 
• One-on-one faculty advising to support each student. 
• Weekly one-on-one pronunciation tutorials for individual coaching.
• Seven-week online course after the intensive six-month program: Students continue to receive language training including job search skills on a schedule which allows them to work during the week. Saturday workshops on campus are included.

 
Sample Daily Schedule

January 5 – June 26, 2009

July 6 – August 21, 2009

Part-time on-line program with Saturday workshops on campus. Students are permitted and encouraged to work during the week while studying in this part of the program.

2009 Program Schedule

Jan 5 – Feb 27: Session 1 classes, including Reading/Writing, Listening/Speaking, Job Search Skills, News Analysis/Pronunciation.

Mar 2 – Mar 6: One-week Break (no classes)

Mar 9 – May 1: Session 2 classes, including Reading/Writing, Listening/Speaking, Job Search Skills, News Analysis/Pronunciation. 

May 4 – May 8: One-week Break (no classes)

May 11 – Jun 26: Session 3 classes, including Reading/Writing, Listening/Speaking, Job Search Skills, News Analysis/Pronunciation.

Jun 29 - Jul 3: One-week Break (no classes)

Jul 6 – Aug 21: Session 4 classes, including on-line Writing and Job Search Skills, and on-campus Listening/Speaking on Saturdays.

Aug 21: Graduation Ceremony