International Students—
Intensive English Program (IEP)

• Introduction see below
• Curriculum see below
• Classes see below
• WU English Proficency Requirement see below

Introduction

Washburn University's Intensive English Program (IEP) is a section of the Office of International Programs. The program is a series of English classes developed to assist international students in need of improving their English skills before being accepted into a degree program of the University, and area residents, whose native language is not English, to improve their ability to interact in the community and on the job.

Tuition & fees are available online. TOEFL is not necessary for admission to the ESL program and TOEFL is not required for admission to the University after completing the ESL Program.

Students should contact the Intensive English Program Director at (785) 670-1051, or by e-mail at international@washburn.edu

Curriculum

Three levels in each of the four areas are available spring and fall semester: Speaking and Understanding,Grammar and Structures, Reading Comprehension, and Academic Writing. Academic Writing also has an additional level course offered for graduate students. All classes follow the University schedule and meet four hours per week in class each semester (16 weeks). Students can utilize the Writing Center and the English for the Foreign-Born (EFB) service, which may be one-on-one instruction provided by or associated with the University free of charge to the students. A full-time student typically takes four courses and receives 16 hours of instruction for 12 hours of credit. In addition, students have full access to other University services and facilities,such as the health center, computer labs, libraries, and athletic events/facilities, free of charge.

Classes

• Grammar and Structure
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking & Understanding
• Academic Writing

Grammar and Structure
IE 071 Basic Grammar & Structures (3 hrs)
IE 101 Grammar and Structure I (3 hrs)
These are foundational courses for nonnative English speakers that focus on English grammar, particularly sentence structure. Students will also study verb tenses, basic writing, and vocabulary to improve their speaking and writing skills.

IE 201 Grammar and Structure II (3 hrs)
Nonnative English students will study all verb tenses, voice, and complex grammar structures that are common in academic English in order to improve their personal, academic and professional communication in American English.

Reading Comprehension
IE 072 Basic Reading Comprehension (3 hrs)
IE 102 Reading Comprehension I (3 hrs)
These courses develop nonnative English speakers' vocabulary and reading skills for personal and academic communication using materials with diverse topics.

IE 202 Reading Comprehension II (3 hrs)
By reading books, articles and sample academic texts, nonnative English speakers in this course study and practice effective reading and investigating strategies to discover the ways ideas are expressed and put into writing. Besides building academic vocabulary,the goals are increased reading fluency, speed and understanding.

Speaking and Understanding
IE 073 Basic Speaking and Understanding (3 hrs)
IE 103 Speaking and Understanding I (3 hrs)
Nonnative English speaking students practice to improve their oral and aural skills. They prepare to participate in everyday social conversations, classroom interactions, listening effectively to lectures and being involved in basic discussions. Students are expected to prepare and give short speeches and will be tested weekly on a list of idiomatic expressions.

IE 203 Speaking and Understanding II (3 hrs)
This course focuses specifically on the skills needed for presentations, the basic organization of American communication, and idiomatic expressions that prepare the student for the American academic and professional environment.

Academic Writing
IE 074 Basic Writing (3 hrs)
IE 104 Academic Writing I (3 hrs )
These courses for nonnative English speakers focus on foundational writing skills from sentence structure to well-organized paragraphs of various kinds. Besides analyzing audience and purpose, basic citation and research skills are covered.

IE 204 Academic Writing II (3 hrs)
IE 294 Academic Writing III (3 hrs ) - for graduate students
Expressing ideas in writing for the American academic and business reader is the goal in these courses for nonnative English speakers. Students will learn the conventions of expository paragraphs, essays and investigative reports. Summary, analysis, citation and research skill practice are included.

WU English Proficency Requirement
(FOR UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS)

Students whose native language is not English must meet Washburn's English Proficiency Requirement. Any one of the following can be used to satisfy this requirement.

1. A balanced paper-based TOEFL score of at least 523 (52, 56, 52). This test is given in August and January at WU.
2. An iBT score of 72 (18 for Listening and Speaking, 17 for Reading, 19 for Writing, and 17 on Writing to pass Grammar).
3. An earned bachelor's degree or higher earned at an institution of higher learning located in the U.S., England, Australia, or English-speaking Provinces of Canada.
4. Complete both Level I and Level II of all the Intensive English courses at WU with grades of "C" or better.
5. Complete an Intensive English Program at another U.S. institution comparable to Washburn's program. Washburn's IEP staff determine the compatibility.

Please also note:

Students who cannot meet these requirements will be admitted conditionally through the Intensive English Program. Certain departments may have higher TOEFL requirements.

Graduate students should check English proficiency requirements through the appropriate department.

Students who cannot meet the above guidelines will be placed in the Intensive English classes by the staff of the program based on their test scores and transcripts. They must fulfil this requirement as soon as possible.

First time students are required to take a speaking and understanding class regardless of their TOEFL score unless the Intensive English Program grants a waiver.

Students who have completed Freshman Composition at another U.S.-base institution are not automatically exempt from Intensive English courses. They may be required to take the reading and grammar courses if deficiency in those areas is determined.