English as a Second Language
The Kiski School The Kiski School, established in 1888, is an all boys, independent boarding school with a longstanding reputation for excellence. Kiski’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed to serve the needs of the international community seeking an exciting and fun summer experience. The ESL program provides a solid linguistic foundation for English language learners, as well as exposure to American culture. Kiski offers a 350 acre resort-like campus situated only hours from vibrant American urban centers including New York City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Pittsburgh is only 45 minutes from the School. The campus includes an award winning library, dining hall, auditorium, nine-hole golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, athletic fields, first-rate facilities, and experienced ESL teachers. The academics, cultural interaction, language projects, travel experiences, summer camp activities, and total language immersion comprise our dynamic program. The limited enrollment program encourages learning and growth in an environment where students and faculty can get to know one another. The teaching staff brings many years of experience to the program. Students attend classes in the morning and afternoon, learn to cooperate and live in a global community, interact and socialize on the athletic fields, and travel the culturally rich regions surrounding Pittsburgh. Students leave the program with greatly improved English skills in speaking, listening, writing, and reading. The students live in campus dormitories supervised by experienced dorm masters who also teach and are involved with extracurricular activities. Each boy contributes to the dormitory community, creating their own unique “family� environment focused on study, acculturation, and fun. The secluded grounds offer students a safe place to explore a new culture with new friends and to spend time alone contemplating their experiences.
Facilities Our academic classrooms are small, facilitating our belief in interactive, personalized instruction. Every room is wired for network access, and our wireless network is growing campus-wide. Heath S. Clark Hall houses six well-equipped laboratories for scientific research and experimentation, the Stephen C. Rogers Fine Arts Center caters to the fine and performing arts, and the John A. Pidgeon Library is renowned throughout the state for its information services. Summer ESL students will also have the opportunity to use the Mac Lab, 3-D printer and HP Sprout Machines.
Factors that make Kiski a Superior American Culture and English Immersion Experience â– Safe 350-acre campus featuring indoor and
outdoor swimming pools, a weight room, tennis courts, a golf course, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, state of the art facilities and cutting edge technology â– Proximity to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
makes visits to Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and many other Pittsburgh attractions possible
General Information The Kiski summer ESL program is for international students between the ages of 11 and 18 who wish to have an American Culture and English Immersion experience. Lasting for four weeks, instruction inside and outside the classroom includes essential elements of English, speaking, writing, listening and reading. Lessons occur not only in a traditional classroom setting but also by taking trips to areas of interest and in dynamic academic class sessions.
Highlights ■ English Language and American Culture
Immersion ■ Daily interactions with English-speaking
American students ■ Cutting edge technology, including a laptop
computer provided for each student ■ Academic Workshops ■ Oral Presentations
■ Step-by-step instructions of the admission
process and daily life at an American Boarding School ■ College Visits
■ Trips to Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA;
and other major cities ■ Personalized assessment upon arrival and
progress report upon completion of the program
Enrichment Program at a Glance Unique Experiential Learning
■ What makes Kiski’s ESL Program unique is the English Immersion experience and
introduction to American culture that occurs not only through traditional ESL instruction, but also through the English Language and American Cultural learning that goes on when our students go on college visits and participate in academic workshops in engineering, photography, media and 3-D printing technology. ■ After various trips and activities, students compile what they have learned into
English oral presentations and discussions. Many of these presentations will include information learned about American unspoken cultural and social traditions that will be valuable in secondary school, college and the work world. ■ We also offer lessons in which students learn the steps in the admission process
and daily life in an American Boarding School. Another highlight of ESL at Kiski is the other academic and athletic camps that allow for daily interactions with Englishspeaking American students. ■ Students will have many experiences, trips, role-playing situations and sit-down
meals with adults to learn the rhythm, vocabulary and expectations of daily American life. What success looks like in an American classroom, the norm of participation, actively dialoging with teachers, asking questions, and writing papers that express personal opinions will all be explored at Kiski.
Activities All activities are supervised by on-duty teachers and counselors. Week day after-class activities include: ■ Sports and outdoor activities
■ Creative arts and woodworking
■ Shopping and cultural interaction
Evening activities include: ■ International food nights ■ Film and popular culture studies ■ Declamation Incredible weekend trips are another chance for students to practice English and experience American Culture. Past trips have included: ■ Visiting world-class museums, such as Frank
Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, the Andy Warhol Museum, or Carnegie Museums ■ Exploring historical sites, including Fort Ligonier and Fort Pitt ■ Dining at international restaurants in Pittsburgh or visiting many of the cultural neighborhoods and communities in rural Pennsylvania ■ Chasing thrills at Kennywood Amusement Park ■ Attending sporting events such as a major league baseball game ■ Celebrating the regional heritage at a Native American Pow Wow
Application Information Application Form – complete online at www.kiski.org Health Form – download from Kiski’s website, complete and present upon arrival. Inquiry Form – to request more information, complete the inquiry form on web site.
Enrollment Procedures 1. Submit online application form 2. Complete and return with payment the contract that you receive 3. Print the online health form and have it completed by your physician 4. Present the completed health form and proof of health insurance upon arrival at Kiski Tuition and Fees The cost of the four-week ESL Program is $9,500. ESL will start on Monday, July 29 and end on Friday, August 23. ALL INCLUSIVE: Includes transportation from airport, instructional materials and books, health insurance, and all trips and activity fees. Post ESL camp is August 23 – September 1. Cost of the one week program is $750 and the health insurance from the Summer ESL program will cover the Post ESL program. New materials and books will be provided by Kiski if needed for the program.
“I could not speak a word of English when I arrived. The summer camp was not only exciting but challenging. The teachers and kids were very friendly. Visiting places and playing sports helped my development both inside and out. It was a great decision to go to summer camp.” – Shin, Seoul, Korea, age 16
Kiski’s Maker Space Students will have the opportunity to create and innovate.
Contact Information Should you have any additional questions regarding our program, feel free to call 724-639-8025 or send an email to ryan.john@kiski.org Director of Summer Programs The Kiski School 1888 Brett Lane Saltsburg, PA 15681 Phone: 724-639-8025 Email: ryan.john@kiski.org