FAQs about the Intensive English Program

What is the Intensive English Program?

The Intensive English Program (IEP) is a full-time program of English instruction for international students or U.S. residents who wish to improve their English. The IEP prepares students for university level academic work in English. The program is also appropriate for those who wish to improve their English for professional, business or personal reasons.

How much does it cost?

Please see the Program Dates & Costs page.

Do I have to study full time?

Students who have an F-1 student visa must study full time. Visitors who are in the U.S. on other visas should consult with the assistant director about the number of hours they are permitted to study. U.S. residents and citizens may enroll for less than full-time study.

How many students do you have in each class?

On average, there are 12 to 15 students in a class. The students are from many different nationalities.

When do classes meet?

During the academic year, classes meet Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 5:20 pm, with a break from 2:50 to 3:00 pm. In the summer, classes meet Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:20 pm, with a break from 11:50 am to 12:30 pm. Class times are subject to change. There are 80 hours of instruction every month.

How does the program work?

The IEP focuses on developing each language skill in progression: Listening, Reading, Writing, and, the final level, Immersion. Immersion encompasses all skill areas—speaking, listening, reading and writing. Immersion prepares students for academic study at the university.

Note: Students who complete one full semester of Immersion in good standing may be exempted from UWM’s standardized English test requirement (TOEFL or IELTS) for international undergraduate admission.

A series of placement tests are given at the beginning of the program to determine which skill the student needs to work on. Students are tested every month to assess progress. When sufficient progress is made, the student moves to the next level. Depending on a student’s proficiency in English when the student starts the IEP, a student may spend 2 to 3 months or more in Listening, Reading and Writing; and 4 months in Immersion.

What happens in the classes?

Each class focuses on a specific skill. As a student progresses in the program, he or she adds new skills while continuing to work on the previous skill. For example, in Writing class, a student will spend 3 class hours a day participating in a variety of writing activities; for example, working on verb tenses, sentence boundaries and transitions in writing; reading an essay and writing a response; and writing in-class essays. In Immersion all skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking) are integrated, and the focus is on preparing the student for university level academic study. All students choose an elective class at the beginning of each week. The list of elective classes may change from week to week and can include choices such as Cinema, Pronunciation, TOEFL Preparation, Grammar, or Independent Study. A student may attend a different elective class every week or the student can continue with the same elective if it is offered.

Every month students are tested to see how they are progressing. At that time, a student who scores 70% may move to a higher level.

What are the teachers like?

All the teachers are qualified with a Master’s degree in ESL or a related field and have many years of experience in teaching English as a Second Language. Some teachers have lived and taught English overseas.

Can I use university facilities, such as the library and the sports center?

Of course! The IEP is part of UWM and is located on the campus. IEP students are issued university student ID cards and can use all the facilities available to students: the Norris Health Center, Klotsche Sports Center, Library, computer stations, university email, and so on. There is also a free shuttle service, called BOSS available for students going to destinations near the university. Some international students stay in one of the UWM residence halls, Sandburg or Kenilworth, depending on availability.

When can I start?

New students can join the program at the beginning of any session. See the Program Dates & Costs page. It is also possible to join the program for one or two months. Just be sure to apply and pay a deposit well in advance, at least two months before the start of the session. The application form is available here.

Can you help me to get a student visa?

The IEP will issue an I-20 for a prospective student who submits a completed and signed application, provides a financial statement and pays the required deposit. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the student’s home country will examine the I-20 as part of the application for a U.S. visa. The student should be able to clearly explain why he or she is coming to the U.S. to study English and how English will be useful when the student returns to his or her home country.

Are there computer labs available to ESL students?

Yes, there are computer stations and labs available throughout the UWM campus.IEP students have their own email account and can easily access the Internet.

What is the standardized English test requirement for admission to UW-Milwaukee?

UWM accepts both TOEFL and IELTS scores. Students who complete one full semester of IEP Immersion in good standing may be exempted from the standardized English test requirement. Complete information, including the application process is available here.

Note: UWM offers conditional and dual admission for undergraduate study (for a Bachelor’s degree). Under conditional admission a student must first complete ESL studies before beginning academic study. Under dual admission, a student may take a limited number of academic classes (maximum of 6 credits) while the student is completing ESL studies.

For graduate study (for a Master’s degree or PhD.), a student must submit standardized English test scores (IELTS or TOEFL). A student who is admitted with an English deficiency (without the required English test scores) must submit new scores at the required level within 18 months of beginning graduate study or before completing the graduate program.

The Center for International Education can provide more complete information on international admissions.

Where can I get more information about the Intensive English Program?

Please use the Information Request Form or contact the ESL Programs Office by email: esl@uwm.edu; telephone: +1-414-229-5757; or fax: +1-414-229-6258.

The ESL program provides me many creative and interesting courses. In here, not only can I improve my English ability but I can also know more about American culture and society. - Shihyun Peng, Taiwan