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!
Reading, Writing, and Vocabulary
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30-11:30am (6 hours per week)
This academic English language course focuses on helping students produce grammatically accurate, well-constructed, coherent English in the written form and in response to authentic readings. Emphasis is also placed on expanding vocabulary knowledge and usage, and acquiring academic reading skills.
Reading and Speaking Fluency
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.
Grammar and Writing
Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am (4 hours per week)
This academic English language course focuses on building a strong grammatical foundation in the English language with an additional emphasis on editing skills and applying these skills to produce short pieces of writing and formal oral presentations.
Oral Communication and US Culture (Listening and Speaking)
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:15-3:15 pm (4 hours per week)
This popular course focuses on helping students improve thie English language speaking and listening skills- with a focus on important topics in US culture, and the state of Maine. Students will explore cultural awareness, American slang and formal communication, and academic culture via videos, guest speakers, short readings, discussions, presentations and excursions.. Emphasis is placed on conversation, pronunciation, as well as listening comprehension.
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.