SAELL Intensive English Program (IEP)
Our Intensive English Program is in person at our Chicago Main Campus. Our goal is to prepare students to succeed in their future academic or professional use of English.
We have three terms each year:
- Fall (16 weeks, August-December)
- Spring (16 weeks, January-May)
- Summer (12 weeks, May-August)
Full-time students take 18-24 hours of classes per week. F-1 visa holders are required to be enrolled full-time.
Part-time students take 6-12 hours of classes per week in Fall/ Spring, or 8-16 hours per week in Summer.
Our face-to-face English program resumed our full-time classes in August 2021. For more information, contact us at esl@neiu.edu.
Apply to the Intensive English Program
Intensive English Program Levels
SAELL has multiple levels of instruction based on the CEFR standards: A2, B1, B2. The SAELL curriculum was designed to develop the four core language skills—listening, speaking, reading and writing—through consistent engagement with these skills throughout each level of instruction. In addition, the curriculum integrates grammar, vocabulary, culture, and content courses, and writing for specific purposes. The goal of the SAELL curriculum is to build English language fluency while integrating the skills necessary for students to succeed within their university programs and/or career paths.
Students are placed into their level of study based primarily on a CEFR proficiency test or their most recent TOEFL test score. Some course assignments may vary based upon individual skill area scores. All new full-time students take TOEFL ITP during their first orientation week.
Program Level |
CEFR |
TOEFL ITP |
IELTS |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
A2 |
<450 |
<4.0 |
2 |
B1 |
450-480 |
4.0-5.0 |
3 |
B1+/B2- |
480-500 |
5.0-6.0 |
4 |
B2 |
>500 |
6.0-7.0 |
*Please note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to limitations on students entering the U.S. on student visas, some program levels may be combined in a single cohort.
Intensive ENglish Program Courses
We offer three core classes and up to two electives per term.
Core classes: Listening & Speaking; Reading & Writing; and Grammar
Elective examples: Academic Vocabulary & Reading; Academic Writing; Pronunciation; Presentation Skills, TOEFL Prep*
Sample Intensive English Program (full-time) schedule
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Listening & Speaking |
Reading & Writing |
Listening & Speaking |
Reading & Writing |
- |
12-1 p.m. |
BREAK |
BREAK |
BREAK |
BREAK |
- |
1-4 p.m. |
Grammar |
(Elective) |
Grammar |
(Elective) |
- |
*Please note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to limitations on students entering the U.S. on student visas, elective classes may not be offered.
Apply to the Intensive English Program
Important Dates
Admission Deadlines
Completed applications for our in-person Intensive English Program must be received by the dates noted in the chart below. Student applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been submitted by the applicant and received by SAELL. Completed applications include the application, application fee, and immigration documents (if required). Once reviewed, the applicant will be notified of the admission decision.
Type of Application |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
---|---|---|---|
International Admission (outside U.S.) |
June 15 |
October 1 |
March 1 |
Transfer Admission (within U.S.) |
July 1 |
November 1 |
April 1 |
Academic Calendar
|
Fall 2022 |
Spring 2023 |
Summer 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
First Week of Classes |
Orientation August 24-25 Classes begin August 29 |
Orientation January 18-19 Classes begin January 23 |
Orientation May 22-23 Classes begin May 24 |
Last Week of Classes (Finals Week) |
December 5-9 |
May 8-11 |
August 9-10 |
Costs for SAELL Intensive English Program
TUITION and FEES(16 weeks Fall/Spring or 12 Weeks Summer) |
|
---|---|
Schedule Course Load |
Tuition and Fees, including textbooks |
Full-time (18 hours/week in Fall/ Spring, 24 hours per week in Summer) |
$4,200 beginning Fall 2022 |
Part-time (12 hours/week in Fall/ Spring, 16 hours per week in Summer) |
$2,800 beginning Fall 2022 |
Part-time (6 hours/week in Fall/ Spring, 8 hours per week in Summer) |
$1,400 beginning Fall 2022 |
*Insurance and living expenses are not included in tuition and fees.