IEP Courses & Levels
The UGA Intensive English Program offers a variety of courses for beginner to advanced level speakers of English as a second language—general listening and speaking courses, more focused reading and writing courses, and conversation courses that also teach additional communication skills. We use an integrated approach to second language learning where students learn new vocabulary, grammar, and culture while practicing their listening, speaking, and writing skills at the same time.
Our student-centered courses offer engaging, supportive, and rigorous instruction to help English language learners improve their foreign language proficiency, gain cultural knowledge and understanding, and obtain practical communication skills for a variety of social situations. All courses are designed to help students develop the English proficiency and cultural competencies they need to participate in everyday, academic, and professional conversations, enter and succeed in American universities and colleges, effectively position themselves on the American job market, and take the next steps in their professional careers.
In the tables below, you can see what courses are offered on a regular basis. Courses for different proficiency levels are offered in an alternating rhythm so that students can continuously progress through the IEP levels if they make sufficient progress in their English proficiency.
Listening & Speaking Courses
| Course | IEP Level | Sessions (Courses are offered in ...) | Course Hours (per week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening & Speaking for Beginners I | 1 | Fall I & Spring I | 8 |
| Listening & Speaking for Beginners II | 2 | Fall II & Spring II | 8 |
| Listening & Speaking for Everyday Use I | 3 | Fall I & Spring I | 7.5 |
| Listening & Speaking for Everyday Use II | 4 | Fall II & Spring II | 7.5 |
| Listening & Speaking for Academic and Professional Purposes I | 5 | Fall I & Spring II | 7 |
| Listening & Speaking for Academic and Professional Purposes II | 6 | Fall II & Spring II | 7 |
Reading & Writing Courses
| Course | IEP Level | Sessions (Courses offered in ...) | Course Hours (per week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing for Beginners I | 1 | Fall I & Spring I | 8 |
| Reading & Writing for Beginners II | 2 | Fall II & Spring II | 8 |
| Reading & Writing for Daily Communication I | 3 | Fall I & Spring I | 6.5 |
| Reading & Writing for Daily Communication II | 4 | Fall II & Spring II | 6.5 |
| Reading & Writing for Academic and Professional Purposes I | 5 | Fall I & Spring I | 7 |
| Reading & Writing for Academic and Professional Purposes II | 6 | Fall II & Spring II | 7 |
Conversation Courses
| Course | IEP Level | Sessions (Courses are offered in ...) | Course Hours (per week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversation for Beginners | 1-2 | Fall & Spring | 4 |
| American Culture & Current Events | 3-6 | Fall | 4 |
| Pronunciation & Public Speaking | 3-6 | Spring I | 4 |
| Vocabulary & Idioms in American English | 3-6 | Spring II | 4 |
July Program for Conditionally Admitted Graduate Students (and other IEP students)
| Course | IEP Level | Sessions (Courses are offered ...) | Course Hours (per week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening & Speaking for Everyday Use | 3-4 | Every year in July | 8 |
| Reading & Writing for Daily Communication | 3-4 | Every year in July | 8 |
| Conversation Course | 3-4 | Every year in July | 2 |
| Listening & Speaking for Academic and Professional Purposes | 6 | Every year in July | 8 |
| Reading & Writing for Academic and Professional Purposes | 6 | Every year in July | 8 |
| Conversation Course | 6 | Every year in July | 2 |
Online Course for International Visiting Scholars
| Course | IEP Level | Sessions (Courses are offered in ... | Course Hours (per week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visiting Scholars Online Course | 3-6 | At any point | 2 |
Additional Course Information
Course Descriptions: Detailed descriptions of our courses can be found here.
Full-time vs. Part-time Study
Full-time students must take 18 hours of coursework per week (3 courses in their respective level). Part-time students take less than 18 hours of coursework per week (1 or 2 courses of their choice in their respective level).
July Program for Conditionally Admitted Graduate Students (and other IEP students)
Our July Program is primarily designed to help conditionally admitted graduate students fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students of the UGA Graduate School. However, everybody who wants to improve their English proficiency is welcome to participate in our July courses! This year, we will offer courses on the intermediate level and the advanced level.
Incoming UGA graduate students must already have a high level of English proficiency to be accepted into the July Program. To receive a Certificate of Completion from the IEP that fulfills the English Language Proficiency Requirement for International Students, students must attend all level 6 classes and successfully complete all assigned coursework, homework, and assessments.
Online Course for International Visiting Scholars
The Visiting Scholars Online Course is not tied to a specific session and can begin at any time. This course meets 2 days a week for 50 minutes online at a time that is convenient for most scholars. To complete a whole level, scholars must take two 8-week sessions. After scholars successfully complete a whole level (16 weeks of study), they can re-take the “J-Check.” If they do not pass the interview, they must continue to take the course in 8-week steps until they successfully complete Level 3 and the interview.
English Proficiency Levels
| IEP Level | Proficiency Level | CEFR Level (more information here) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginner | A1 |
| 2 | High-Beginner | A2 |
| 3 | Intermediate | B1 |
| 4 | High-Intermediate | B1 - B2 |
| 5 | Low-Advanced | B2 |
| 6 | Advanced | B2 - C1 |
| 7 | High-Advanced / Professional | C1 - C2 |
Our courses cover almost all language proficiency levels — from High-Beginner to Advanced. The table above shows at what approximate level IEP courses are taught.
How will I be placed in an IEP level?
Every applicant will meet on Zoom with the IEP Assistant Director and/or Program Coordinator for a short placement interview. In this conversation, we
- assess the applicant’s language proficiency,
- discuss their goals for developing their English skills while participating in the IEP,
- ask them about their future academic and professional goals.
Based on our assessment and the additional information from the applicant, we make a recommendation for what level they should participate in. At the beginning of a session, students can observe both intermediate and advanced level courses to see which level is the most appropriate fit for them.
If applicants already have a
- TOEFL iBT total score (more information here), or
- IELTS band score (more information here), or
- Duolingo English Test scores (more information here),
they can submit the score for additional consideration.
Textbook Information
Our program uses a variety of textbooks for different courses. For some courses, you will be required to purchase textbooks. For others, reading materials will be provided to you by the course instructor. You will receive a list of textbooks that you are required to purchase before the beginning of each session.
IMPORTANT: Please keep in mind that you are responsible for obtaining the necessary textbooks before classes start. You are expected to have all necessary textbooks on the first day of class. We require that you buy physical copies of textbooks and bring them to class. (If you take classes online, you can buy digital copies.)
When you buy your books in the Pearson eStore, type University of Georgia Intensive English Program in the box School/Program (under Shipping Address).