Intensive English Program - Course Description
- Internal Page Links
- Instruction
- Proficiency Levels and Student Learning Outcomes
- Placement, Testing and Grades
Instruction
The pre-academic IEP uses the Focal Skills program design to language learning. Students focus on gaining proficiency in one skill at each level and integrate all skills at the advanced level.
There are four courses, each corresponding to one level:
- Level 1 – Listening: Increase comprehension of spoken English.
- Level 2 – Reading: Increase reading comprehension and fluency.
- Level 3 – Writing: Write English that is accurate and comprehensible.
- Level 4 – Immersion: Integrate all language skills.
Cultural Communication
Academic Reading + Writing
Academic Speaking + Listening
Courses are taught in one-month units. Students advance to the next level as soon as they have met the required proficiency
- 3 core classes that focus on one skill in order to improve proficiency.
- 1 elective class, taught in one week units.
- Topics include grammar, pronunciation, conversation, cinema, TOEFL or IELTS preparation, vocabulary, spelling, etc.
- Students can choose a new topic each week. 20 hours of instruction per week, including work in the Language Resource Center. Classes meet every day, Monday through Friday.
Proficiency Levels and Student Learning Outcomes
| Course* | Listening | Reading | Writing | Immersion |
| Listening | Listening | Listening | Academic Listening | |
| Reading | Reading | Academic Reading | ||
| Writing | Academic Writing | |||
| Academic Speaking | ||||
| * Grammar and Conversation are incorporated in each course. | ||||
Listening Course:
- Beginning to low intermediate listening ability
Student Learning Outcomes on completion of the course:
Listen and understand the setting and main topic of simple conversations.
Reading Course:
- Low intermediate to intermediate listening ability
- Low intermediate to intermediate reading ability
Student Learning Outcomes on completion of the course:
- Read and understand main ideas, vocabulary and key phrases of fiction and non-fiction readings.
Writing Course:
- Intermediate to high intermediate listening ability
- Intermediate to high intermediate reading ability
- Intermediate writing ability
Student Learning Outcomes on completion of the course:
- Write with a high level of ability with correct grammar, spelling and sentence format.
Immersion Course:
- High intermediate to advanced listening ability
- High intermediate to advanced reading ability
- High intermediate to advanced writing ability
- High intermediate to advanced speaking ability
Student Learning Outcomes on completion of the course:
- Understand academic lectures and classroom discussions on academic topics.
- Understand meaning and vocabulary of various topics in academic texts.
- Write a 2-4 page essay incorporating paraphrasing and summarizing from texts using an appropriate academic format.
- Participate in discussions on academic topics and make a 2-3 minute presentation on an academic topic using appropriate presentation format and correct pronunciation.
Placement, Testing and Grades
- A new student takes 3 online proficiency tests at the start of the program: Listening, Reading, Writing. The student is placed into class according to skill that needs improvement, beginning with (1) Listening, then (2) Reading and (3) Writing.
- At the end of each month of study students in Reading, Writing courses take a test to measure improvement and see if they are ready to advance to the next level.
- Students in Immersion are graded on in-class work and receive an overall letter grade at the end of each month of study.
- Each student receives a written progress report at the end of each month of study.
- At the end of the semester or when the student departs the program, a Report of Study (transcript) is issued for the student's entire period of study.