The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) is 22 hours of classes per week, personalized advising, free tutoring, and opportunities to get involved in the community and at the university. Our program offers course levels from intermediate to highly advanced. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide instruction for absolute beginners. Reach for your dreams with USM’s Intensive English Language Program!
Principles of Academic Writing
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30-11:30am (6 hours per week)
This course focuses on academic writing, sentence structure, vocabulary, grammar, and editing. Students will develop their ability to write strong academic paragraphs and essays incorporating outside sources and using appropriate formatting.
Reading and Speaking Skills
Monday & Wednesday, 1:15-3:15 pm, Friday, 12:00-1:15pm (6 hours per week)
This course focuses on helping students improve their speed and comfort in both speaking and reading, through discussion of thematic units based on TED talks. Students learn techniques for reading faster and better comprehension and for developing and giving effective presentations.
Academic Reading and Vocabulary Advancement
Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am (4 hours per week)
This course focuses on building academic reading skills, improving reading speed and comprehension, observing grammar in context, and building a strong academic English vocabulary.
Listening and Professional Communication
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:15-3:15 pm (4 hours per week)
This popular course focuses on helping students improve their English language speaking and listening skills with a focus on expanding vocabulary and improving pronunciation. Students will explore the USM campus and higher education topics through readings and videos, guest speakers, class discussions, presentations, and excursions.
ESL College Writing
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:15-3:15 pm (4 hours per week)
ESL 100 is a special section of ENG 100 College Writing. This highly advanced-level, 3-credit course has been designed for non-native speakers of English who have met USM pre-college writing proficiency requirements either through completion of ESL 104 and ESL 102 or through official assessments. Drawing upon college-level readings and classroom discussions, and skills obtained in previous courses/studies, students will expand and sharpen the writing and study skills necessary for college-level academic courses. This course is the final writing course in the APP sequence.