1: Program and University policies and Procedures

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The IELP to PSU Pathways Program is designed to provide support to students as they transition from ESL coursework to university academic coursework and degree study. Students will participate in the Pathways Program for two or three terms, depending upon the level of their IELP classes (see charts on previous page). Each term that students participate in the Pathways Program, they will enroll in one of the following Pathways seminars: Pathways Introduction, Pathways Intermediate or Pathways Final. Each seminar is a 2-credit IELP course.

The Pathways Program curriculum focuses on connecting students with resources and reinforcing academic skills necessary to be academically successful in their chosen major and in their undergraduate degree program. The program guides students to gain independence and become self-reliant and self-directed learners who are capable of utilizing the academic and personal resources and tools available to them.

The content of the Pathways seminars features two distinct concentrations:

program and university policies and processes
academic skills development and skills transference among disciplines

In addition to English language proficiency, international students will benefit from the following activities and preparation in order to have an academically successful university experience:

understanding the U.S. educational system
navigating the university structure and understanding campus resources
understanding cultural differences in academic settings
understanding institutional rules and services
meeting with professors and advisors
practicing and understanding interdisciplinary skills

The Pathways Program curriculum was developed in part based upon feedback from PSU students, faculty and advisors and was informed by a literature review of student development theories.

Source: Greenhoe A., Miller, M. (2016-2018). IELP Pathways Research. Unpublished research, Portland State University, Portland, OR.

Class time for each Pathways seminar will consist of brief readings, activities and assignments that are designed to increase understanding of university academic expectations, policies and guidelines and degree completion requirements. Additionally, students will learn about and practice transferring skills across different academic disciplines and explore co-curricular opportunities across campus. Throughout the course of the program, students will use the PebblePad ePortfolio platform to create and curate a learning portfolio that includes academic planning and self-reflection.

While students will be using English to develop their knowledge and skills in the Pathways classes, English language is not the academic discipline being studied. Students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop computer or tablet to class, as many of the materials used in the seminars will be viewed and accessed online. Following is a brief description of each of the Pathways seminars.

PATHWAYS INTRODUCTION SEMINAR

This seminar will introduce students to the policies and procedures governing their degree study at PSU. Students will be guided through the steps to select and register for academic classes in which they will enroll in their next term of study, including meeting twice with university academic advisors and learning to use online resources. Using the PebblePad ePortfolio platform, students will create a one-year academic plan and set academic and personal goals. Effective time management and planning strategies are introduced.

PATHWAYS INTERMEDIATE SEMINAR

This seminar will provide support to students as they take their first PSU academic classes. Strategies and exercises, designed to promote critical thinking skills and how to apply these in their classes, with an emphasis on transferring skills learned in ESL classes to academic classes, will be introduced. Students will use their experiences in PSU academic classes as a platform for individual reflection and group discussion. Using the ePortfolio created in the Pathways Introduction Seminar, students will monitor and track their academic progress. There will be an emphasis on continuing to build academic skills and connecting with their major departments. Students will meet individually with an advisor in their major in order to select their academic courses for their next term of study. Registration for the next term of study is reviewed and conducted during the term.

PATHWAYS FINAL SEMINAR

In this seminar, students will review and reflect upon the academic goals and plan established in the Pathways Introduction seminar, with a focus on applying academic skills for success in the PSU classes that they are taking concurrently with ESL coursework. Students will continue to use their experiences in PSU academic classes as a platform for individual reflection and group discussion, continuing to develop and curate their ePortfolios. Students will prepare for full-time academic study at PSU, including participating in PSU academic department activities, attending PSU New Student Orientation, and participating in the IELP to PSU Transition Workshop.