Intensive English Language Program (IELP)

The mission of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at Portland State University is to assist non-native English learners in acquiring the language skills and learning strategies necessary to compete successfully in a postsecondary academic environment.

International students prepare for U.S. experiences

The Intensive English Language Program provides a supportive atmosphere of sociocultural exploration and development that helps international students adjust to life in the United States. IELP offers a variety of English as a second language courses to prepare students for regular academic courses at PSU or other U.S. universities, or to simply improve students' English-language skills for social, travel, or general purposes. The program enrolls about 250 students each term from 40 different countries.

IELP collaborates with the Department of Applied Linguistics and the Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) master’s degree program.

University embraces world connections

IELP is contributing to the goal of internationalizing PSU, with the following achievements.

• Enrollments increased from 40 students per term in 1994, to 250 in fall 2001.
• Offer a capstone course to matriculated PSU students to support a mentoring program for international students that eases the academic and cultural adjustment process.
• Co-sponsor an international coffee hour weekly on Wednesday afternoons with the Office of Student Affairs and the Multicultural Center. The event attracts over 100 international and U.S. students.
• Offer a Conversation Partners program in conjunction with the Department of Communication’s intercultural communication classes. Regular PSU students and IELP students meet weekly for conversation.
• Coordinate the activities and events of International Week, with the help of the Organization of International Students and students of the Intercultural Service Program. Notabley, the annual International Night is usually attended by 500-600 people.

For more information about the Intensive English Language Program, including information about courses and faculty, student life activities, general program information, and information on how to apply, please go to the website.