OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
Ohio Program of Intensive English |
Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE)
Gordy Hall 155
Phone: 740.593.4575
Fax: 740.593.4577
opie@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/cas/opie
Dr. Gerard Krzic, Director, Ohio Program of Intensive English
krzic@ohio.edu
Overview
The Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) at Ohio University has been providing English language instruction to international students since 1967. OPIE is accredited through the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation ( CEA ), which is a specialized accrediting agency for post-secondary intensive English language programs and institutions. OPIE is also a member of the University Consortium of Intensive English Program ( UCIEP ), a professional organization that oversees university-based intensive English programs in the United States. The mission of OPIE is to raise the English language proficiency level and intercultural fluency of non-native speakers who will use English for academic study at institutions of higher education and/or professional purposes. The OPIE mission consists of five components: Teaching, Testing, Orientation/Cross-Cultural Support, Program Development, and the Training and Supervision of Teaching Associates.
OPIE offers five levels of full-time English study which include the University Success Pathway Program for students pursuing undergraduate programs at Ohio University. Students are placed into a particular level based on the results of the OPIE Composition exam and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Institutional Testing Program (ITP), a paper-based test conducted upon a student’s arrival to Ohio University. This test has three sub-tests: listening, structure/written expression, and reading. University Success Pathway students can also submit English language proficiency scores, such as TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores, for direct entry into the Pathway Program.
Full-time English Program and Courses
Full-time English study consists of twenty hours of OPIE-only classroom instruction per week, augmented with structured and independent use of reading, writing, and pronunciation labs. Students at the full-time levels do not take academic courses. Undergraduate students can advance from the full-time program into the University Success Pathways Program, which provides part-time OPIE courses and part-time academic courses. The levels of the Full-time English program are listed below:
Elementary ( OPIE D100 / D200 , D101 / D201 , D102 / D202 )
Students in this level have scored 1) 399 or lower on the TOEFL ITP given at Ohio University, 2) 20-31 on the TOEFL iBT taken on the internet, or 3) 3 or lower on the IELTS. Full-time OPIE students at the Elementary Level can advance to the Intermediate Level if their lowest grade in OPIE courses is C- or higher, or if they have an English Placement Test score between 41-64 and an OPIE Composition Test of 2A/2B. Otherwise students can repeat the Elementary Level. This level is composed of 20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities, including:
- grammar/communication situations (12 hours/week)
- listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
- reading/writing (4 hours/week)
Intermediate ( OPIE D300 / D400 , D301 / D401 , D302 / D402 )
Students in this level have scored 1) 400-439 on the TOEFL ITP given at Ohio University, 2) 32-41 on the TOEFL iBT taken on the internet, or 3) 3.5-4 on the IELTS. Full-time OPIE students at the Intermediate Level can advance to the Advanced Level if their lowest grade in OPIE courses is C- or higher, or if they have a TOEFL ITP score of 449-479, an English Placement Test score of at least 65 and an OPIE Composition Test of 3A/3B. Otherwise, students can repeat the Intermediate Level. This level is composed of 20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities, including:
- grammar/writing (12 hours/week)
- listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
- reading/vocabulary (4 hours/week)
Advanced ( OPIE D500 / D600 , D701 , D702 )
Students in this level have scored 1) 440-479 on the TOEFL ITP given at Ohio University, 2) 42-45 on the TOEFL iBT taken on the internet, or 3) 4.5-5 on the IELTS. Full-time OPIE students at the Advanced Level can advance to the 12-Hour Bridge course in University Success Pathway 1 if their lowest grade in OPIE courses is C- or higher. Otherwise, students can repeat the Advanced Level. This level is composed of 20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities, including:
- grammar/writing/reading (12 hours/week)
- listening/note-taking/speaking (4 hours/week)
- academic reading skills (4 hours/week)
University Success Pathway Program
At the University Success Pathway levels, students take a combination of credit-bearing academic classes and English classes.
Pathway 1
Pathway 1 offers twelve hours per week of part-time support courses in English as a Second Language (ESL). Students at this level take OPIE D960 , OPIE D804 , and 6-8 hours of academic classes per week. The ESL support courses utilize the concepts, vocabulary, and instructional materials of these general education courses as the content for English language skills development, including: academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Students at this level typically have the following language test scores:
- TOEFL ITP: 480 to 499
- OPIE Composition: 4
- TOEFL iBT: 56-61 with all subscores 13 or higher
- IELTS: 5.5 composite.
Assuming normal progress in their language coursework, students at Pathway Level 1 can expect to study two semesters (28 weeks) of English before beginning full-time academic coursework.
Pathway 2
Pathway 2 offers eight hours per week of part-time support courses in English as a Second Language (ESL). Students at this level take OPIE D970 and 9-12 hours of academic classes per week. The ESL support courses utilize the concepts, vocabulary, and instructional materials of these general education courses as the content for English language skills development, including: academic reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Students at this level typically have the following language test scores:
- TOEFL ITP: 500 to 519
- OPIE Composition: 5
- TOEFL iBT: 62-67 with all subscores 14 or higher
- IELTS: 5.5 composite with all band scores 5.5 or higher
Assuming normal progress in their language coursework, students at Pathway Level 2 can expect to study one semester (14 weeks) of English before beginning full-time academic coursework.
University Success Pathway 2 is normally followed by full-time academic studies.
Additional Information
For more information on the Ohio Program of Intensive English and its policies, please visit the department’s website www.ohio.edu/cas/opie , call 740.593.4575, or email opie@ohio.edu .