In the Intensive English Program, our curriculum focuses on English language competency, academic skills competency, and cultural competency. We use the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The CEFR is a peer-reviewed and well-developed curriculum that is widely accepted globally for language education programs. This curriculum is used for course and syllabus design as well as assessment of student achievement.
Within this curriculum, our program follows six different levels:
- Pre-A1 (introductory level)
- A1 (beginner level)
- A2 (elementary level)
- B1 (intermediate level)
- B2 (high-intermediate level)
- C1 (low advanced level)
New students complete placement testing in reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the beginning of the session to determine their initial placement in the courses. Students’ movement up through the different levels is then determined by assessment of student learning outcomes in each of the core classes.
We have three core classes available for all levels: Reading, Listening & Speaking, and Writing. Our core classes meet four days a week. These courses are assessed on Student Learning Outcomes and attendance.
We also have one integrative skills project course. This course meets two days a week, and students focus on integrating skills in the core classes (Reading, Writing, Listening, & Speaking) to create a project every 4-weeks in the course. This course is assessed on participation and attendance.
Below are detailed descriptions of the curriculum for each level and for each course that we offer. If you have any questions about the curriculum, email the Assistant Academic Director – Intensive English Program, Lindsey Hill, at hill76@uwm.edu.
Reading:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in reading will improve English reading comprehension, academic reading strategies (scanning, skimming, annotation, etc.), and vocabulary development in all levels. Students in the higher levels (B1, B2, & C1) will also learn academic research skills and rhetorical analysis of written texts. Students will read a variety of academic (academic journals, textbooks, etc.) and non-academic texts (newspapers, blogs, magazines, books, etc.) of various lengths. The reading skills you build in this class will help improve your English for your academic, professional, and personal goals.
Listening & Speaking:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in Listening & Speaking will engage in a variety of communicative activities in order to improve listening and speaking skills in social and academic settings in all levels. Students in all levels will build skills related to understanding main ideas and details, building vocabulary, and accuracy and fluency in pronunciation. Students in the higher levels (B1, B2 & C1) will also learn academic presentation skills, academic discussion skills, and rhetorical analysis of spoken texts. Students will be exposed to listening texts from various popular and academic sources (lectures, tv shows, films, newscasts, etc.). The listening and speaking skills you build in this class will help improve your English for your academic, professional, and personal goals.
- IEP 70 – Pre-A1 Listening & Speaking
- IEP 70 – A1 Listening & Speaking
- IEP 70 – A2 Listening & Speaking
- IEP 70 – B1 Listening & Speaking
- IEP 70 – B2 Listening & Speaking
- IEP 70 – C1 Listening & Speaking
Writing:
Your placement test will determine the appropriate level for you in this class. Students in Writing will develop their grammar and writing skills (understanding rhetoric, tone, mood, and using various types of writing, such as comparison and contrast, persuasive, and descriptive). Students will write on a wide range of subjects, ranging from personal and popular topics of interest to more academic topics. The writing skills you build in this class will help improve your English for your academic, professional, and personal goals.
- IEP 80 – Pre-A1 Writing
- IEP 80 – A1 Writing
- IEP 80 – A2 Writing
- IEP 80 – B1 Writing
- IEP 80 – B2 Writing
- IEP 80 – C1 Writing
Integrative Skills Project Course – A level:
This course supplements the skills taught in the 060 (Reading), 070 (Listening & Speaking), and 080 (Writing) classes. Students are assessed only on participation and attendance in this course. This course’s purpose is to give students additional instruction and practice in skill areas that are more commonly difficult for them to acquire. The focus of this course is integrating skills in a project-based learning context on a four-week cycle, resulting in four projects in one semester (Fall and Spring semesters) and two projects in the summer sessions (June classes and July classes). Students will continue to practice and integrate the following skill areas: using reading strategies, giving opinions, vocabulary development, using the writing process, summarizing, and describing personal experiences.
Integrative Skills Project Course – B level:
This course supplements the skills taught in the 060 (Reading), 070 (Listening & Speaking), and 080 (Writing) classes. Students are assessed only on participation and attendance in this course. This course’s purpose is to give students additional instruction and practice in skill areas that are more commonly difficult for them to acquire. The focus of this course is integrating skills in a project-based learning context on a four-week cycle, resulting in four projects in one semester (Fall and Spring semesters) and two projects in the summer sessions (June classes and July classes). Students will continue to practice and integrate the following skill areas: using reading strategies, giving opinions, using the writing process, using the research process, summarizing and synthesizing information, and using evidence to support ideas.
Integrative Skills Project Course – C level:
This course supplements the skills taught in the 060 (Reading), 070 (Listening & Speaking), and 080 (Writing) classes. Students are assessed only on participation and attendance in this course. This course’s purpose is to give students additional instruction and practice in skill areas that are more commonly difficult for them to acquire. The focus of this course is integrating skills in a project-based learning context on a four-week cycle, resulting in four projects in one semester (Fall and Spring semesters) and two projects in the summer sessions (June classes and July classes). Students will continue to practice and integrate the following skill areas: using reading strategies, following and comparing arguments in spoken or written texts, using the writing process, using the research process, synthesizing information, and using evidence to support ideas.