ESL Program Information
- Classes Offered
- Course Credit/Certificate
- Housing
- Program Structure
- Program Costs
- Program Dates
- Program Duration
- Scholarships
- Student Integration
- Student Placement, Testing and Program Completion
The Upper Iowa ESL program is comprised of four core courses: reading, writing, grammar and communication. An additional course is offered in American culture. Please see the course descriptions for more details.
Students will not receive college level credit for completing the ESL program. After successful completion, they will receive a UIU ESL Program Certificate. To gain admissions into the undergraduate program at UIU, they must meet all of the academic and admission requirements.
The fall and spring semesters each last for 16 weeks. This program consist of two levels, Level 1- Beginning and Level 2- Advanced. If you are in the advanced level when you begin, you may reach the competency level required in only one semester. However, if you start in the beginning level, it may take you a full year to reach the level of English proficiency required for admissions into the undergraduate program.
This program consist of two levels, level 1- Beginning and level 2- Advanced. Within each level, there are four core courses and an American Culture class. Classes will be held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Thus, reserving Wednesdays’ for organized excursions, outside class assignments, culture talks and meetings with conversation partners.
Tuition $14,000.00
Housing $2,730.00
Meals $3,848.00
TOTAL $20,578
Each ESL Course is non-credit bearing.
If a student is not a full-time ESL student, each course independently is $500.00 credit hour for a total of $1,500.00 for a 3 credit hour course. Please note, if a student is on a F-1 visa they must be enrolled full-time in the program. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for a scholarship.
- August 24, 2009- December 17, 2009
- January 11, 2010- May 7, 2010
ESL students will be matched with a conversation partner early in the semester to facilitate community integration and provide additional opportunities to practice English. Conversation partners will be American students enrolled at Upper Iowa University.
For additional help students can meet with tutors on an as needed basis to work on areas of difficulty.
In addition, there will be organized class outings, community activities to build relationships with UIU students, members of the Fayette and surrounding communities and cultural lectures. Professors from various divisions will present lectures on a multitude of topics in order to provide experience with American lecture styles.
Student Placement, Testing and Program Completion:
A placement test will be given upon arrival to determine the students’ program level. Students who complete the advanced program level with a minimum GPA of 2.5 can expect to matriculate into regular UIU classes successfully.
To ensure quality, students at all levels would take a standard midterm and final exam. If the student does not receive a combined total of 70% or higher on these tests, the student will be required to repeat the level. Students may repeat an ESL level one additional time. If a student is unable to complete the level after the repeat, they will not be allowed to continue enrollment at Upper Iowa University.
An institutional TOEFL test would only be required in the case a student enters the program and is deemed by the faculty as too advanced for the program. The student must meet the same UIU minimum score requirements as other students to fully enroll in the undergraduate program.
As an English as a Second Language (ESL) student you are required to live in the residence hall. Garbee Hall is the primary living area for residence hall students. Each floor contains 36 rooms, a laundry room, and a community bathroom. There is one kitchen on the men’s side and one kitchen on the women’s side for residence hall students to use. All rooms are designed for two students, containing 2 desks, 2 beds, 2 wardrobes, 2 dressers, 2 desk chairs and 2 bookshelf units.
Scholarships are available. Please e-mail us to find out if you qualify.
