Intensive English Program

The IEP is our most well-attended program and is the heart of the International English Center. In this year round program, classes are offered at seven levels: Basic 1, Basic 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Intermediate 3, Advanced 1, and Advanced 2. The academic year is divided into five, 8-week-long sessions, and students typically attend 4-5 classes each session, advancing to a new level each session. When they arrive, students are tested and placed into classes which most closely match their English proficiency. Students who have lower-level English skills should expect to spend at least one year and up to one and a half years in our program before entering a university.

The Classes

Intensive English Program classes are taught daily, from Monday-Friday. Students attend class four hours each day, five days per week, during morning sessions (8:30am to 12:30pm) or afternoon sessions (1:00pm to 5:00pm). Students will also have the opportunity to take a three hour elective class at no additional cost.

Applied Structure (Grammar)

In Applied Structure classes, students study increasingly difficult grammar structures to enable them to express their ideas more clearly and complexly. Grammar is applied in realistic activities in both speaking and in writing exercises. These classes form the foundation for all of the other language skills.

Listening/Speaking

Depending on the proficiency (skill) level, listening material ranges from simple dialogues and conversations, to authentic academic lectures. Students are expected to respond both orally and in writing. There are opportunities for conversational discussions as well as for more formal prepared speeches. These classes focus on the skills needed in academic settings to prepare students to be able to ask and answer questions in class. Additionally, pronunciation activities are designed to help students to speak more clearly with native-like stress and intonation.

Outside of class activities are arranged to broaden students’ authentic experiences.

Reading

These classes are designed to increase academic reading skills needed to understand a variety of texts. Practice is provided in: vocabulary building through the study of word forms, increasing reading speed, and in extensive reading. With increasing complexity, students learn to paraphrase, summarize, and analyze information, both orally and in written assignments.

Writing

The focus of writing courses is on learning and practicing the skills needed for effective academic writing. Depending on the class level, students learn increasingly complex writing skills beginning with proper sentence structure to paragraph and essay development. Students improve their academic skills by learning to express ideas clearly with proper grammar, improved vocabulary, and complexity of language.

Electives

Students in the Intensive English Program have the opportunity to take a three hour elective class at no additional cost.  Students can sign up for an elective the first week before classes begin during the testing and registration process. Visit the Electives page to learn more.

University of Colorado Courses

Some advanced level students may be eligible to take a class at the University of Colorado through the ACCESS program. These students are still required to attend their other classes at the International English Center to fulfill their student visa status and to continue to work on improving their academic language skills.