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Academic Catalog

Intensive English

Washburn Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/international-programs/english-classes/index.html
Email: learnenglish@washburn.edu

Kelly McClendon, MA, Coordinator/Senior Lecturer, Intensive English

Mission

The mission of the Intensive English Program (IEP) is to offer leveled English language courses to prepare non-native English speakers, including international students, for success in degree programs at the university and other academic and community settings. The IEP is committed to facilitating cross-cultural understanding and supporting the university’s values of academic excellence and inclusion. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the IEP, students will be able to:

  • PSLO 1: write short essays, present short academic speeches, and participate in social conversations with minimal grammar errors after applying linguistic knowledge and using strategies to find and correct their own errors.
  • PSLO 2: read at 180 words per minute with 75% comprehension in order to succeed in courses with required college-level (low-advanced) reading.
  • PSLO 3: (1) take relevant and organized notes from short lectures; (2) prepare a college-level presentation that demonstrates clear points with visual aids, appropriate organization, and proper citation.
  • PSLO 4: write a college level paper organized in the American style of discourse and academic vocabulary with some research and proper citations included.
  • PSLO 5: degree-seeking students will be able to identify resources on campus for success in the college classroom, self-reflect on study skills needed for the college classroom, increase communicative competence in English through authentic language practice, increase their comfort level of working on a multicultural team, and present about reflections on cultural adjustment lessons learned.

Admission

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the program coordinator before enrolling in the IEP. A placement test is required to evaluate proper placement in the IEP courses unless the student starts in Level 1 classes. Testing options include Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, and more listed on the website. After completing the IEP, students have met the WU English proficiency requirement. Some undergraduate programs require a specific score above the undergraduate Washburn University English proficiency requirements, such as Nursing. Those who test into Level 3 courses in the IEP can take for-credit academic courses concurrently with the approval of the IEP.

Curriculum

The accredited Intensive English Program includes three levels (I, II, and III) in each of three skill areas which are available spring and fall semesters with grammar instruction embedded in each area: Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Understanding, and Writing. A fourth area in cultural experience (IE 091 Language & Culture in Context Seminar I / IE 092 Language & Culture in Context Seminar II) is offered to full time Intensive English students. Two additional courses (IE 070 Intensive English-Acad Purp I and IE 100 Intensive English-Acad Purp II) offered are not part of the required levels in the program but may be offered as special topics or for short-term exchange/visiting students. The core classes follow the University schedule and meet five hours per week in class each semester (16 weeks). A full-time student typically takes four courses and receives 18 hours of classroom instruction for 12 - 13 credit hours.

Intensive English courses IE 202, IE 203, and IE 204 courses each count for four General Education Humanities credits toward bachelor degree requirements. CN 150 cannot be taken when an IEP student is enrolled in IE 203. EN 101 cannot be taken when an IEP student is enrolled in IE 204.

Students can utilize all university academic support services and the ESL Class sponsored by the International Center of Topeka, which may be one-on-one or small group instruction provided by or associated with the University. These services are free of charge to the students. In addition, students have full access to other University services and facilities, such as the health center, computer labs, libraries, and athletic events/facilities, free of charge.

Credit

Students receive general education credit for IE 202, IE 203, and IE 204. Credits earned for IE 102, IE 103, and IE 104 can be applied toward undergraduate degree programs as electives. All other IE courses count toward a student’s overall GPA.

Accredited Intensive English Program (IEP)

Students are placed into the Intensive English Program initially by an English proficiency test (link to English Proficiency Requirements in Intl Services overview part) into one of three levels (beginning, low intermediate, high intermediate) in each of three skill areas. The following shows the progression of course levels within skill areas. Grammar outcomes are embedded within each of the leveled skills courses. Language and Culture in Context Seminars are open to all levels and short-term programs.

Reading Comprehension Speaking & Understanding Academic Writing Language and Culture in Context Seminars
Level I - IE 072 Level I - IE 073 Level I - IE 074 All levels - IE 091 & IE 092
Level II - IE 102 Level II - IE 103 Level II - IE 104
Level III - IE 202 Level III - IE 203 Level III - IE 204

The core classes in reading, speaking/understanding, and writing follow the University schedule and each meet four times per week during the semester. The Seminar class meets 1-2 times per week. A full-time student typically takes four courses and receives 18 hours of classroom instruction for 12 - 13 credit hours.

Short-term Programs

WU hosts groups of exchange students for short term programs that are not part of the accredited Intensive English Program but often take courses offered by the IEP or the following combined-skills courses.

  • Intensive English for Academic Purposes I and II - IE 070 and IE 100
  • Language and Culture in Context Seminar I and II - IE 091 and IE 092

Intensive English Courses

IE 070  Intensive English-Acad Purp I  (1-3)  

Combined skills course with IE 100 centered around U.S. cultural themes. It is considered a special topic course as the needs of the students taking it are considered when designating the specific outcomes of English language learning and cultural competence. It may be offered as a short-term course for exchange/visiting students for English language skills improvement within a U.S. cultural experience.

IE 072  Reading Comprehension for Academic Purposes I  (4)  

Develops nonnative English speakers’ vocabulary and reading skills for personal and academic communication using materials with diverse topics. Students focus on learning the most common words in English and begin to do sustained content reading at a high beginning level using strategies to help them increase comprehension and gain fluency and vocabulary. Prerequisite: None.

IE 073  Speaking and Understanding for Academic Purposes I  (4)  

Students are introduced to the words and phrases needed for everyday social situations including introductions and begin to develop their listening skills in simple conversations and speaking skills for the U.S. college classroom.

IE 074  Writing for Academic Purposes I  (4)  

This course is for nonnative English speakers and focuses on foundational writing skills from sentence structure to well-organized paragraphs of various kinds. Besides analyzing audience and purpose, basic citation and research skills are covered. Students will develop skills in writing sentences with correct structure and a beginning-level paragraph on concrete or personal subjects. They will also be able to use technology to compose their writing, including appropriate written communication with an instructor.

IE 091  Language & Culture in Context Seminar I  (0-2)  

IE 091 and IE 092 give international students unique opportunities to experience language in local cultural contexts and challenge their application of the English language. Students will go on field trips and hear guest speakers from diverse backgrounds on relevant topics to the international student. Students will be required to complete a project and write a journal with reflections on their experiences. IE 091 is offered in the fall and IE 092 is offered in the spring. These courses meet for one-three hours per week but do not count toward the 120 hour baccalaureate degree requirement. Full time Intensive English students are required to enroll in these courses. No prerequisite. Repeatable.

IE 092  Language & Culture in Context Seminar II  (0-2)  

IE 091 and IE 092 give international students unique opportunities to experience language in local cultural contexts and challenge their application of the English language. Students will go on field trips and hear guest speakers from diverse backgrounds on relevant topics to the international student. Students will be required to complete a project and write a journal with reflections on their experiences. IE 091 is offered in the fall and IE 092 is offered in the spring. These courses meet for one-three hours per week but do not count toward the 120 hour baccalaureate degree requirement. Full time Intensive English students are required to enroll in these courses. No prerequisite. Repeatable.

IE 100  Intensive English-Acad Purp II  (1-3)  

Combined skills course with IE 070 centered around U.S. cultural themes. It is considered a special topic course as the needs of the students taking it are considered when designating the specific outcomes of English language learning and cultural competence. It may be offered as a short-term course for exchange/visiting students for English language skills improvement within a U.S. cultural experience.

IE 102  Reading Comprehension for Academic Purposes II  (4)  

Develops nonnative English speakers’ vocabulary, grammar, and reading skills for personal and academic communication using materials on diverse topics. Students will become active readers of content in English at an intermediate level and further develop their strategies for vocabulary learning and reading fluency to increase their comprehension and also their understanding of text organization. Prerequisite: IE 072, or equivalent English proficiency test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.

IE 103  Speaking and Understanding for Academic Purposes II  (4)  

Nonnative English-speaking students practice to improve their oral and aural skills. They prepare to participate in everyday social conversations, classroom interactions, listening effectively to lectures and being involved in basic discussions. Students are expected to prepare and give short speeches and will be tested weekly on a list of idiomatic expressions. Students develop intermediate level skills, including grammar, to participate in everyday social conversations, classroom interaction, and intermediate-level discussions. Students will also increase their listening and note-taking skills to be able to comprehend short lectures on general topics. Prerequisite: IE 073, or appropriate listening and speaking English proficiency test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.

IE 104  Writing for Academic Purposes II  (4)  

This course for nonnative English speakers focuses on foundational writing skills from sentence structure to well-organized paragraphs of various kinds. Besides analyzing audience and purpose, basic citation and research skills are covered. Students will develop skills in writing and grammar for intermediate-level academic paragraphs of the following types: definition, description, opinion, explaining processes. Students will also learn strategies to apply to writing and editing. Prerequisite: IE 074, or appropriate English proficiency test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.

IE 202  Reading Comprehension for Academic Purposes III  (4)  

By reading books, articles and sample academic texts, nonnative English speakers in this course study and practice effective reading and investigating strategies to discover the ways ideas are expressed and put into writing. Students will develop academic vocabulary, grammar skills, reading fluency, comprehension and strategies to become active readers at a high intermediate/low advance level monitoring and adjusting their strategies to meet the demands of academic reading for university courses. Prerequisite: IE 102, or equivalent English proficiency test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Arts and Humanities
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Humanities
  • USLO: Communication

IE 203  Speaking and Understanding for Academic Purposes III  (4)  

This course focuses specifically on the speaking, listening, and grammar skills needed for presentations, the basic organization of American communication, and idiomatic expressions that prepare the student for the American academic and professional environment. Cannot be taken concurrently with CN 150 Public Speaking. Students will also increase their listening and note-taking skills to be able to comprehend lectures on general academic topics. Prerequisite: IE 103, or equivalent English proficiency listening and speaking test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Arts and Humanities
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Humanities
  • USLO: Communication

IE 204  Writing for Academic Purposes III  (4)  

Students develop the ability to compose, (i.e., comprehend, select, plan, draft) and produce essay length texts on diverse general education academic topics by applying appropriate grammar skills and writing strategies with basic knowledge of how to use other sources and cite without plagiarism. Cannot be taken concurrently with EN 101. Prerequisite: IE 104, or appropriate English proficiency test scores, or IEP coordinator permission.
Course Attributes:
  • Gen Ed AY 2024-2025: Arts and Humanities
  • Gen Ed Pre-AY 2024-2025: Humanities
  • USLO: Communication

IE 294  Writing for Academic Purposes III (GR only)  (3)  

Transitional course for graduate students. Expressing ideas in writing for the American academic and business reader is the goal in these courses for nonnative English speakers. Students will learn the conventions of expository paragraphs, essays and investigative reports. Summary, analysis, citation and research skill practice are included. Cannot be taken concurrently with EN 101 First Year Writing or EN 300 Advanced College Writing.

IE 295  Special Topics: Enhancing Skills for Graduate Studies  (3)  

This course for non-native English speakers only will orient students who haven’t completed an undergraduate degree in the US to the style and rigor specified by individual graduate programs. Typically this will involve specific instruction to help students improve research, presentation, group work, and higher level academic writing skills that are required by graduate programs. Topics and targeted programs will be announced in advance. Prerequisite: IE 202 and IE 204 or equivalent iBT, TOEFL, IELTS scores or instructor permission.