American Language Institute

 

Intensive English for Communication (IEC)

Who Will Benefit From This Program?

The Intensive English for Communication (IEC) program is designed for students and professionals at all levels who want to develop and improve their practical English skills for a variety of purposes including:

• communicating with people from around the world,
• using English professionally,
• teaching English, and
• using English internationally in travel and social situations.

Intensive English for Communication
Number of weeks	Three to 18
Hours of instruction	23+ per week
Requirements	Prior instruction in English
Number of levels	Seven
Also included	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.

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 help students make contact with native speakers outside the classroom.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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 and interact with SDSU students and professors in university classrooms.
  
  
• Sports and Conversation Club
  Students can practice social conversation with an IEC instructor while playing sports such as basketball.
  
  
• 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, etc.
  
  
• Native Speaking Facilitator
  Many IEC classes have a 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 as well as tests that assess their level in grammar, reading, writing, and listening. Students are then placed in appropriate classes for their level.

Curriculum

• 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 OC classes interact with instructors and with assistant teachers who model appropriate speech to improve students' speaking skills and help to promote intercultural understanding.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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 multimedia and the arts.