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, 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 for better comprehension, and for developing and giving effective presentations. Vocabulary expansion is integrated throughout as a core instructional element of the course.
Writing, Editing, and Academic Skills
Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am (4 hours per week)
This course focuses on strengthening grammatical skills and applying them in academic writing, with attention to understanding grammar structures in context and improving editing skills. Students also work on building academic vocabulary and developing
reading skills that support their success across university coursework.
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.
College Writing
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:15-3:15 pm (4 hours per week)
ESL 100 is a 3-credit college writing course designed for multilingual students who have met USM pre-college writing proficiency requirements through completion of ESL 104 and ESL 102, or through official assessments. Drawing on college-level readings,
classroom discussions, and skills developed in previous coursework, students will expand and sharpen the writing, basic research, and study skills necessary for success in college-level academic courses. This course is the final writing course in the APP sequence.