The Intensive English Program at UM offers four different levels of intensive English language instruction:

• Beginning
• Intermediate
• High Intermediate
• Advanced

Each level of instruction is designed to be completed in one semester and consists of courses in four core skill areas as well as elective courses that have been designed to meet student needs. Students at each level of instruction are required to take courses in Speaking & Listening; Reading; Writing; and, Grammar. Additionally, students elect to take between two and three elective courses. Elective courses include, for example, courses in American Culture, Conversation, and Computer Mediated Communication. Additionally, Advanced students may elect to take TOEFL Preparation and Practice. All courses incorporate modern technologies that assist in language learning and students have opportunities to work in a dedicated computer lab for IEP students.

A student must successfully complete one level in order to advance to the next level. Advancement is accomplished by fulfilling all course requirements (e.g., attendance, active in-class participation, completion of graded homework assignments, and scores on quizzes and tests) as well as earning a sufficient score on final achievement test(s) at the end of the semester. Final scores lower than those required to advance to the next level of instruction might require a student to repeat a course level.

For each class taken, students receive a letter grade determined by the standard scale:

A = Excellent (90-100%)
B = Good (80-90%)
C = Average (70-79%)
D = Poor (60-69%)
F = Failure (0-59%)

Students must receive a letter grade of C or higher for that class to count towards advancement to the next instructional level. ESL students receive 12 hours of UM credit for the successful completion of courses.

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST

Upon arrival all students will complete one or more language placement tests that will assess English proficiency. Results from these assessments will determine a student's placement in the most appropriate level of instruction.

LENGTH OF PROGRAM

The IEP follows the same academic calendar as The University of Mississippi. Fall (August to December) and Spring (January to May) semesters include 15 weeks of instruction. Summer I (June) and Summer II (July) sessions each provide 4 weeks of instruction.

Classes begin on the same day as the first day of regular academic classes for the University. Final exams are held during the University's finals week at the end of the semester. The schedule of classes is determined after registration and depends on the number of students enrolled.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Click here for a sample student schedule.

Speaking & Listening (3 hours/week)
Courses in this area provide students with opportunities to improve their communicative competence in English and gain confidence about using their speaking and listening skills. Students learn vocabulary, practice appropriate conversation management, and receive pronunciation instruction.

Reading (3 hours/week)
Courses in this area provide students with skills and practice necessary to develop reading skills in English that eventually will allow them to function successfully in US university courses where extensive academic reading is required. Students learn new vocabulary and develop strategies for reading texts in multiple disciplines.

Writing (3 hours/week)
Courses in this area provide students with the skills and practice necessary to write in a variety of different genres in different contexts, including but not limited to academic contexts. Students are guided through thinking, drafting, and revising their own ideas by working through this writing process with their instructors and peers.

Grammar (3 hours/week)
In these courses, students learn the grammatical structures necessary so that they can speak, read, and write with both fluency and accuracy.

Electives (6-9 hours/week)
Students elect to take between two and three optional courses each semester. The schedule of courses offered is determined by student need. Courses that may be offered include but are not limited to: Topics in American Culture, Conversation, Computer Mediated Communication, and TOEFL Preparation and Practice (limited to Advanced students).

FACULTY

All IEP courses are taught by faculty who hold a master's degree in TESL, a related academic field, or who are pursuing the M.A. degree in TESL at the University of Mississippi and have completed 18 hours of graduate-level TESL coursework. All are dedicated and caring professionals who provide individualized attention to our IEP students. To meet the members of our faculty, click here.