Intensive English Program Courses
Juniata's Intensive English Program offers a high quality education. The instructors are highly experienced and certified in Teaching English as a Second Language. All of them have lived and worked in other countries and understand the transition process that international students experience when studying in a new country.
Admission and Placement
Prospective students must be a minimum of 18 years old. A minimum official TOEFL score or equivalent (see below) is required for admission to the IEP, as we do not offer beginner courses.
If you wish to enter Juniata College as a degree seeking student, you must apply directly through the enrollment office. Contact Mr. Brett Basom, the International Student Admissions Officer, for details. You will not have to re-apply to the IEP if you need ESL courses.
Upon arrival at Juniata, all international students will be tested and placed into courses according to their English proficiency level. The Intensive English Program offers academic English courses at three levels:
Intermediate
High-Intermediate
Advanced
All international students who are non-native speakers of English will be tested to determine their English proficiency upon arrival to determine their courses. Students who have "English-Conditional" admittance will be enrolled in appropriate ESL courses and will need to progress through the ESL program according to the current IEP policy. Students who have been accepted based on non-conditional admission standards may still require additional English language support as determined by testing after their arrival. These students will need to enroll in appropriate ESL courses for credit according to current IEP policy.
The following are general guidelines Juniata uses when placing students into IEP classes (the lowest scores are required for admission).
Level Test |
Intermediate |
High-Intermediate |
Advanced |
iBT |
42-51 |
52-61 |
62-79 |
PBT |
440-469 |
470-499 |
500-549 |
IELTS |
5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
Pearson PTE Academic |
37-40 |
41-44 |
45-52 |
The program encourages English fluency, both in class and outside of class, through projects, surveys and interviews with Americans. You must take a minimum of 12 credits per semester. This is a full-time load, as IEP courses give credit which can be used for graduation requirements. You will focus on developing language skills and building self-confidence in using English. The courses emphasize:
- Strengthening speaking ability through in-class discussions with international and American students and interviews with local people
- Practicing listening to and understanding academic lectures in real university classes
- Developing university-level writing and research skills
- Expanding vocabulary and increasing reading speed
- Developing the self-confidence to use English in a professional or U.S. university setting
- Interacting with American culture and the expectations at a U.S. college/university
Advancement
To advance from one level to the next, all students must have at least a C average in their ESL courses and the recommendation of their ESL teachers.
However, those who are degree-seeking students should make every attempt to achieve an B- (80%) average or better, as this level is what will be needed to advance out of the IEP and succeed in courses in other departments.
To advance out of the IEP and English-Conditional status, students have to do the following:
successfully complete the advanced level ESL courses with an 80% average
and have the recommendation of the IEP instructors,
OR
achieve a TOEFL score of 80 iBT/550 PBT and have the recommendation of the IEP instructors.
To view the full policy, please refer to the Juniata Student Manual.
Courses
Intermediate
ESL 100 Intermediate Writing and Composition
ESL 101 Intermediate Listening and Speaking
ESL 102 Intermediate Reading and Study Skills
ESL 103 Intermediate Grammar in Speaking and Listening
High Intermediate
ESL 150 High Intermediate Academic Writing
ESL 151 High Intermediate Conversation & Discussion
ESL 152 High Intermediate Reading and Vocabulary Development
ESL 153 High Intermediate Grammar in Writing
ESL 155 Clear Speech (1 credit)
Content-based courses
ESL 200 America: A Nation of Immigrants (Intermediate)
ESL 201 From Egg to Ancestor: A Study of Cultures (High Intermediate)
Advanced
ESL 211 Advanced Listening and Speaking Seminar - linked with a course in another academic department
ESL 212 Advanced Reading
ESL 250 Advanced College Writing
Tutors are available for students who need extra help. Tutors are often Juniata students who are in training to become teachers.
