The number of students admitted to San Diego State from the American Language Institute has risen during the past few years.
According to the ALI 2012-13 catalogue, only three ALI students were accepted to SDSU in 2007. In 2011, 144 ALI students were accepted.
ALI instructor and adviser Amy Nunamaker said many ALI students continue to receive bachelor’s or master’s degrees at SDSU. This makes it the top transfer school for students.
Sixty percent of international freshmen at SDSU transferring through the ALI, according to the ALI catalog.
[quote]The fact that international students are valued for what they bring to the classroom in addition to what they get out of it is a win-win for ALI students and their American classmates.[/quote]
“Many students choose ALI because of its association with San Diego State,” Nunamaker said. “The university is their goal, and we facilitate achievement of their goal by assisting with the development of their English proficiency.”
According to the ALI website, the program maintains a positive history of aiding international students in their efforts to transfer to universities in the U.S. Some ALI students have transferred to universities such as Harvard University, University of Chicago, UC San Diego, San Francisco State University and London School of Business and Finance.
Academic advising is available to all ALI students at no charge, which has given ALI’s University Advising Services a “successful record of assisting students in gaining admission to degree programs throughout the U.S.,” according to ALI’s website.
Nunamaker said the increase in ALI students admitted to SDSU can be attributed to four key factors: advising, academic preparation, university success course, and the internationalization of the classrooms.
“ALI’s pre-university advising services help students understand the application and matriculation process,” Nunamaker said. “The University Success Course helps students understand the American university system, which is often quite different from systems in their countries. The fact that international students are valued for what they bring to the classroom in addition to what they get out of it is a win-win for ALI students and their American classmates.”
There are 16 different programs offered at the ALI ranging from three to 18 weeks. The programs consist of intensive English courses, university preparation, teacher training, certificates, and for university credit.
These programs help students develop skills needed for collegiate success by developing comprehension and speaking skills, grammar and vocabulary as well as helping students formulate reading and writing, according to Nunamaker.
“I think that’s what makes our language program so strong, is that we have a close connection to the university and to matriculated students that we share so many activities and I think that’s makes the experience for our international students so much better, because we have the connection to the San Diego State,” ALI Executive Director Barbara Bass said.
Established in 1974, the ALI program is part of SDSU and services 1,200 to 1,800 students every semester, providing a wide range of services such as immigration and U.S. Visa support, academic counseling, health insurance and many other benefits. The ALI program is open to any individual who is 18 years and older and has completed high school.
Students interested in coming to ALI must get an F-1 visa. To apply for an F-1 visa, it’s required for students to fill out an I-20 form that will be issued by the ALI after a student applies for any ALI program.
Located in the Gateway Center, the ALI serves international students from 65 countries. ALI instructors have masters’ degrees for English as a second language.
