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Program Levels

Full-time English Program (Three Levels)

Depending on student enrollment, levels may sometimes be combined or divided into a higher course and a lower course.

1. Elementary

(20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)

  • grammar/communication situations (12 hours/week)
  • listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
  • reading/writing (4 hours/week)

2. Intermediate

(20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)

  • grammar/writing (12 hours/week)
  • listening/speaking (4 hours/week)
  • reading/vocabulary (4 hours/week)

3. Advanced

20 hours per week + 4 hours of labs and activities)

  • grammar/writing/reading (12 hours/week)
  • listening/note-taking/speaking (4 hours/week)
  • academic reading skills (4 hours/week)

Pathway Levels for Undergraduate Students

(Two Levels of Academics and English)

Pathway Level 1

  • 8-hour combined skills course* + 4-hour grammar course*** (total: 12 hours/week)
  • General-education academic course, taken with Pathway classmates (3-4 credits)
  • Learning community seminar** (1 credit)
  • One additional academic course, selected in consultation with an academic advisor (math recommended)

Pathway Level 2***

  • 8-hour combined skills course* (total: 8 hours/week)
  • General-education academic course, taken with Pathway classmates (3-4 credits)
  • Two additional courses, selected in consultation with an academic advisor (math recommended)

Pathway Level Notes:

 *Eight-hour combined skill courses prepare students for success in American university classes by developing needed language, study, and academic performance skills through a variety of reading, writing, listening, speaking, thinking, and problem-solving activities.

**During an undergraduate’s first semester in any Pathway Level, a 1 credit hour learning community seminar (e.g. UC 1900) is required.

***For most students, Pathway 2 is the final level. Students who need additional time to study English may be placed in Pathway Level 3. In this level, students will take 4-8 hours of English in addition to academic classes. Pathway 3 students work with OPIE and their academic advisors to create a schedule that best meets their needs. -Students who do not register for academic classes, must enroll in 16 hours of English study at the Bridge Level. Also, students will attend 2 or more hours of program activities (e.g., writing lab, lecture series, conversation hour, etc.) per week.

Bridge Level for Graduate and English-Only Students

16-hour Bridge

  • 8-hour combined skills course* + two 4-hour courses** (total 16 hours/week)

Bridge Level Notes:

*Eight-hour combined skill courses prepare students for success in American university classes by developing needed language, study, and academic performance skills through a variety of reading, writing, listening, speaking, thinking, and problem-solving activities.

**Students take a four-hour course such as academic reading skills, grammar, composition, and academic listening and speaking or an elective such as Exploring American Culture or Reading and Writing about Literature. -Also, students will attend 2 or more hours of program activities (e.g., writing lab, lecture series, conversation hour, etc.) per week.

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