English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is an English as a Second Language (ESL) program designed to develop the academic English skills of college-level students who wish to study in the U.S. Most students in the program are immigrants new to the U.S. Wake Tech International Student Services has information about obtaining a student visa or handling other matters.

The EFL program also helps working adults improve language skills for professional development and career advancement.

The following courses are offered in sequence:

• Combined reading, grammar and listening: EFL-031, -032, -033 and -034 (8 credits each)
  Coursework presents increasingly higher-level English comprehension skills.
   
• Combined composition, grammar and speaking: EFL-041, -042, -043 and -044 (8 credits each)
  Coursework presents increasingly higher English production skills.
   
• Composition 5: EFL-095 (5 credits)
  Coursework includes research essay writing and is designed to bridge the gap from EFL to college-level English courses.

In-person classes meet daily, Monday through Thursday, during the 16-week Fall and Spring semesters. Fall semester runs August to December, and Spring semester runs January to May. Some classes also meet daily, Monday through Thursday, during the 10-week Summer term, which runs May to July.

Certain higher-level courses are also available online, but students on F-1 visas are not allowed to take EFL classes online.

Charges for EFL courses are based on the cost-per-credit hour schedule for curriculum courses at Wake Tech. Federal financial aid may be used to pay for EFL courses if you qualify, but make sure you are aware of limitations and restrictions that may apply. Contact the Financial Aid Office for advice about using aid.

Follow these steps to apply to the EFL program:

1. Complete an application for admission to Wake Tech.
2. Sign up for and take the EFL placement test.
   NOTE: Once you complete the EFL program, you will be able to enter the academic program of your choice without any additional testing.
3. Schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor.
   The advisor will review your test score and may interview you or request a writing sample to determine your level of skill and recommend appropriate courses.
4. Register for classes on Self-Service.
   You will be given a Wake Tech ID and a computer username and password, after which you can log in to the system and register for classes.

Enrollment for each semester is based on the Registration & Records schedule. Registration for Summer term (May - July) and Fall semester (August - December) usually begins in April, while registration for Spring semester (January - May) usually begins in November.

Students should plan to register as soon as possible each semester. When classes become full, students may place themselves on waitlists, but there is no guarantee that they will get a space in a class from a waitlist.

For more information, email [email protected].