Questions and Answers
Student and Learning
Who may apply to the IECP English language school?
What kinds of courses will I take?
How will I know which courses to take?
What is a typical day of classes like?
How big are the classes, and who will my classmates be?
Will I use computers as a part of my study?
What is expected of the students?
Health and Safety
Do I need to have health insurance?
What if I get sick?
Is Penn State a safe place?
Enrollment and Costs
When can I begin the IECP English language school program, and how long can I study?
When is the application deadline?
What is covered by the IECP English language school tuition?
What is not covered by the IECP English language school tuition?
How can I pay?
When is my tuition payment due?
Instructor
Evaluation
How will I be evaluated?
Will IECP English language school study prepare me for the TOEFL test?
Life at Penn State
Where will I live as an IECP English language school student?
Do IECP English language school students have the opportunity to meet and get to know Americans?
Will I be able to use Penn State services and facilities?
May I take other courses at Penn State?
May I take IECP English language school courses part-time?
Where is Penn State?
Student and Learning
Who may apply to the IECP English language school?
Any nonnative speaker of English who has a high school diploma and a basic knowledge of English may apply to the program.
What kinds of courses will I take?
Each full-time student takes four courses. Students with F-1 visa must be full-time, and they are in class twenty hours per week.
- "Speaking and Listening" emphasizes understanding and producing language ranging from the informal to the formal. It also emphasizes language that occurs in a variety of settings, from talking among friends to speaking in the university classroom.
- "Grammar" emphasizes the structure of English, from the simple to the complex.
- In "Reading" the students increase their vocabularies, develop their comprehension, and practice skills such as skimming, scanning, and making inferences.
- In "Writing" the students advance, step by step, from writing clear, correct sentences and composing paragraphs to producing the kind of essays and papers needed for academic and other purposes.
How will I know which courses to take?
The IECP English language school has four levels. At the beginning of each term, the new students take a multiple choice placement test and do a writing sample. Based on the results of this testing, each student is placed in the appropriate level and takes the courses offered in that level.
Level 1 is for advanced beginning students.
Level 2 is for low-intermediate students.
Level 3 is for advanced-intermediate students.
Level 4 is for advanced students.
Your classmates' English ability will be similar to yours.
What is a typical day of classes like?
Each class meets for two hours. Full-time students will have two classes each day, Monday through Friday.
How big are the classes, and who will my classmates be?
IECP English language school classes have from eight to fourteen students; they include people from around the world and from a variety of language backgrounds.
Will I use computers as a part of my study?
Yes. The IECP English language school has its own computer lab, where the students receive computer instruction, use a variety of ESL materials, and have access to e-mail and the Internet. IECP English language school students may also use all other student computer labs on campus.
What is expected of the students?
To meet their responsibilities, IECP English language school students must:
- be on time for, and maintain a good attendance record in, all their classes
- come to class prepared, do all their assignments, and make good progress in learning English
- treat each other and their instructors with respect and engage in no disruptive behavior
- follow all IECP and Penn State policies and regulations
Health and Safety
Do I need to have health insurance?
Yes. ALL international students are required to have health insurance for themselves as well as their spouses and children. You can buy it from the Student Insurance Office when you arrive or you may bring your own insurance, if approved by Penn State.
All IECP English language school students are eligible to use the University Health Services.
Yes. According to Sperling's Best Places survey, State College has the least amount of crime compared to all other cities of its size in the United States.
Enrollment and Costs
When can I begin the IECP English language school program, and how long can I study?
The IECP English language school has programs that run for three semesters:
- the fall semester, usually from mid-August to mid-December
- the spring semester, usually from early January to early May
- please contact the IECP about summer study opportunities
Students can start their studies at the beginning of any semester; some students plan to study for only one or two terms, whereas those who start with Level 1 normally choose to stay for the four semesters it takes them to complete the highest level.
When is the application deadline?
We accept applications at any time; however, students who need a student visa must apply at least six weeks before they want to begin IECP study.
What is covered by the IECP English language school tuition?
Tuition pays for twenty hours of instruction per week, for orientation upon your arrival, for most special social/cultural activities, for assistance with how to apply to universities or colleges, and for the access to University facilities described above. The tuition also covers visa advising—which is provided to all international students, including IECP English language school students—by Penn State's International Programs office.
What is not covered by the IECP English language school tuition?
The costs of housing, food, and books are not covered. Additionally, all students must either purchase University health insurance or be able to prove that they have insurance from their home countries.
The IECP English language school accepts tuition payments by advanced wire transfer, by check, or by credit card (MasterCard or VISA only). For wire transfers, contact us for specific bank instructions. Penn Sate does not accept credit cards as payment for dormitory rooms and food. You can pay for University insurance by credit card.
When is my tuition payment due?
All tuition is due on registration day. (See also How can I pay?)
Instructor
Most IECP English language school instructors have graduate degrees in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages or a related field. Most have lived in other countries and learned other languages themselves. They are highly experienced in cross-cultural learning, and they understand the cultural adjustments the students have to make. All IECP instructors are active in professional organizations and attend conferences to learn about what is new in teaching and helping students.
Evaluation
Instructors evaluate students in a variety of ways during the term, including exams and presentations. At the end of the term each student receives a grade for each course, as well as written comments from each instructor.
Will IECP English language school study prepare me for the TOEFL test?
Yes. In their classes the students are constantly learning material and skills that will help them do well on the TOEFL. In addition, the instructors show students test taking techniques that will help them increase their scores. At the end of each term the program offers an Institutional TOEFL; there is no charge, and Penn State accepts the score as an official one.
Life at Penn State
Where will I live as an IECP student?
Students may choose to live in Penn State dormitories or in apartments off campus. The IECP English language school does not arrange housing for you, but we can assist you in making your own arrangements.
If you choose a dormitory, send in the printable request form for a residence hall contract as soon as possible. Your space will not be reserved until the University receives the contract and the required deposit. If you choose to live off campus, we can give you guidance on how you can find an apartment.
Do IECP English language school students have the opportunity to meet and get to know Americans?
Yes. The program works with various groups and programs to help IECP English language school students meet and interact with Americans.
Will I be able to use Penn State services and facilities?
Yes. IECP English language school students may use University facilities such as libraries, computer labs, the health care center, and, for a fee, recreation and sports facilities.
May I take other courses at Penn State?
Only students who have competed Level 4 and for various reasons choose to remain in the IECP English language school may, with the permission of the director, repeat two Level 4 courses and take two (but no more than two) Penn State nondegree courses. No IECP English language school student may take nondegree courses without the director's permission.
May I take IECP English language school courses part-time?
Yes, under certain conditions. See the information on enrolling as a part-time student.
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