“Commanding English”: An effective program model

Commanding English, a unique program of communications skills courses packaged into an integrated whole, enables students whose native language is not English to develop the skills to function as competently as native speakers. The success of this program is dependent on the integration of its courses within a logical learning structure; the close coordination of effort of teaching, tutoring, and administrative personnel; and the support of the college administration. The program successfully retains 77 to 90% of its students with a 92.3 to 98.5% attendance rate and an average GPA of 3.28 in Commanding English courses. Upon completing the program, students transfer into mainstream programs throughout the University.