English language programs of high quality can be found at a variety
of U.S. educational institutions. High-quality programs have a
professionally trained faculty, an excellent curriculum, and
superior facilities for study. Such facilities may include
classrooms, libraries, laboratories, computers, and other equipment.
As a prospective student, you should examine the following criteria
carefully and use them to help you decide whether a program is
appropriate for you. |
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There are three main types of English language programs available in
the United States:
Intensive English Programs (IEPs): These programs generally require
20 to 30 hours per week in the classroom. Courses include classroom
instruction, small group discussions, language labs, and
out-of-class work. Intensive courses may or may not allow students
to attend regular academic classes in subjects outside the
English-as-a-second-language curriculum. Most programs are developed
as pre-academic preparatory courses, designed to prepare students
for admission into a U.S. college or university.
Semi-intensive English Programs: Like IEPs, semi-intensive courses
include classroom instruction, small group work, language labs, and
out-of-class work, but students usually also take academic courses
in subjects other than English. A university may require you to take
a few semi-intensive English-as-a-second-language (ESL) courses if
your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores were
sufficient for admission into a degree program at the university,
but further proficiency is desired.
Professional English Programs: Many private English language
programs and some university-based ones are tailored to fit the
needs of professionals. These may include programs in business
English or special certificate programs in fields such as law,
engineering, education, medicine, architecture, computer science,
aerospace, hospitality management, and travel. Internships with U.S.
businesses are available with some programs, both private and
university-based.
This section will focus on Intensive English Programs (IEPs) only. |
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