In a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking, PSU tied for first place with University at Buffalo, State University of New York, for colleges with the highest ESL participation rate. Portland State’s Intensive English Language Program boasts a participation range of 350–500 students per term, representing more than 35 countries.
Judy Reed, director of the IELP, said the program is expecting approximately 500 students this quarter.
“Ten percent of PSU seniors who graduated in 2010 participated in the IELP,” wrote John Kirkland in a Dec. 20 article on the PSU website.
According to its website, the IELP is “a series of intensive courses for non-native speakers, designed to develop the student’s competence in listening, speaking, reading and writing for academic purposes.”
Upon entry to IELP, new students take the Test of English as a Foreign Language placement to determine their level in the program, but there is no minimum score required to be in the program. The IELP offers six levels of English instruction with reading, grammar and writing, and speaking and listening classes. Communication and culture courses and special studies courses are also offered.
“IELP prepared me for regular classes,” said child and family studies junior Ocean Chen. Chen, who came from China, completed level five in the IELP and was admitted to PSU. Of the IELP, Chen said, “The teaching style here is totally different from China.” She added that the program had “more information, less stress, and teachers are very kind and care about students.”
“The IELP provides all of the services an international student might need,” said Reed. It offers a variety of support services, including advising, free tutoring and visa and immigration assistance. The IELP office works with the international student services office to provide housing assistance. Additionally, IELP students receive a PSU ID card and full access to all other PSU facilities, resources and student services.
Myungsung “Mike” Shin, a biology major in the pre-medicine program, came from South Korea. He completed level five and passed the TOEFL. When asked what he liked best about the IELP, Shin said, “Improving writing skills in the writing class and discussing in speaking and listening class…those two classes helped me to prepare.”
The IELP at PSU has a nationally certified, state-of-the-art learning center with numerous student support services and resources. The center has experienced professors, many with advanced degrees in teaching English to speakers of other languages and who have taught English abroad.
In the IELP learning center, students can use computers with specialized English language learning software, work with tutors, practice for the TOEFL and more.
Students pursuing an academic degree who complete level five with a 2.7 GPA can apply for admission to PSU. Courses in levels four and five can count toward PSU’s general education requirements for an undergraduate degree.
Kathy Mao, from China, is in level five of the program and is planning to take the TOEFL. Mao is enthusiastic about language, IELP and her classes.
“Classes are really good and teachers are really good and super friendly,” said Mao.
The IELP is owned and operated by PSU. It has provided intensive, academic-based, English language classes for students, international visitors and members of Portland’s international and immigrant communities since 1964.