This program is designed for students and professionals at all levels who want to develop and improve their practical English skills. The Intensive English for Communication (IEC) program is focused on speaking and listening, but students also spend time on grammar, reading, and writing. IEC gives students the opportunity to practice their skills with teachers, American students, and classroom facilitators. Flexible start dates and lengths of stay are available.
Program Highlights
- Interaction with Native Speakers
IEC students have the opportunity to practice their English speaking and listening skills and to improve their knowledge of American culture by interacting with native speakers inside the classroom. The ALI's Student Life Office can also help students make conversation partners with native speakers outside the classroom.
- Flexible Entry
New students may begin their studies after the session begins for four weeks or longer. Students who choose to enter on a flex entry date will be joining a program already in session. Please see the calendar and fees for entry dates.
- Observing University Courses
High-intermediate and advanced students can receive assistance from IEC advisors in arranging observations of university courses in areas of interest. With the permission of the SDSU professor, IEC students can observe classes.
- Intramural Sports and Conversation Partners
Students can practice social conversations while playing team sports and while participating in the Conversation Partners Program.
- TOEIC Workshops
For students who are interested in taking the TOEIC during their studies in the IEC program, the ALI offers workshops and classes to help students prepare for and improve their TOEIC score.
- Level Advisors
Each IEC level has an advisor who helps students with the following: informing students of program procedures, deadlines, and policies; keeping students up-to-date on social activities and events; and referring students to office personnel for assistance with visa and passport issues, housing, accounting, social activities, and more.
- Native-Speaking Facilitator
Many IEC classes have an additional native-speaking facilitator to model language, help students gain exposure to new accents, and have more intimate contact with Americans.
Testing and Placement
The IEC program offers instruction in all levels of English, from beginning to advanced. Students are given individual speaking tests and written tests that assess their level in grammar, reading, writing, and listening. Students are then placed in appropriate classes for their level.
Flexible Start Dates
New IEC students may begin their studies after the term begins on any of our published flex entry dates for four weeks or longer. Students may extend their stay into the next session for a minimum of four weeks into that session.
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Intensive English for Communication
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Number of weeks
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4 or more
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Hours of instruction
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23+ per week
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Requirements
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Prior instruction in English
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Number of levels
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7
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Also included
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All students have access to a variety of electives, pronunciation clinics, sports and conversation clubs, language and computer labs, personalized student counseling, and academic advising.
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Dates
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See Calendar & Fees
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Curriculum
- Oral Communication Classes
Students receive eight hours per week of instruction in Oral Communications (OC) classes, aimed at improving fluency, listening comprehension, oral grammar, and pronunciation, as well as developing confidence in spoken English skills for situations such as business, travel, and social interaction. Students in Oral Communications classes interact with instructors and with assistant teachers to improve their speaking skills and help to promote intercultural understanding.
- Listening, Grammar, Reading, and Writing
Students take 12 hours of courses in listening comprehension, grammar, reading, and writing that develop communicative English skills used in professional, social, and practical situations.
- Optional Business Classes
High-intermediate and advanced students who want to improve their knowledge of business concepts, vocabulary, and idioms can choose to follow a business track leading to a specialized Business for Global Practices Certificate. Class choices may include Business Discussions, Business Readings, and Business Through Video.
- Customized Schedules
Advanced students have the opportunity to customize their schedule by choosing classes which focus on a variety of English skills and interests, including Oral Presentations, U.S. Culture and the News, and Trends in Culture.
- Program Electives
Elective courses are offered each semester to further support test-taking skills, improve language proficiency, and increase knowledge of U.S. culture. Courses vary by session and placement level.
Popular electives include:
- Accent Improvement
- English Though Dance
- English Through Sports
- Understanding American Film
- American Idioms and Slang
- Internet-Based TOEFL Prep
- TOEIC Prep
- Mysteries of Spelling
- Introduction to Surfing
Sample Schedule
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Session
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Morning |
Oral Communications |
Oral Communications |
Oral Communications |
Oral Communications |
Elective 1 |
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Morning
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Grammar for Communication
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Writing for Communication
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Grammar for Communication |
Writing for Communication |
Elective 2
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Break
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Late
Morning
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Reading for Communication
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Listening for Communication
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Reading for Communication
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Listening for Communication
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Pronunciation Clinic
In addition to daily speaking classes and pronunciation electives, the ALI offers students free personalized articulation and accent modification using specialized software, customized lab activities, and teacher-created materials.