Shenandoah University Intensive English as a Second Language offers rigorous academic instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar-in-use to intermediate and advanced nonnative speakers of English.
Our goal is to provide the English language skills and cultural knowledge you need to succeed in an American university and beyond. Our highly qualified and experienced instructors and staff will ensure that your experience here is a productive and pleasant one. At IESL, not only will you learn English, you will also meet students from around the world and make friends that will last a lifetime!
Located in historic Winchester, Virginia, just 90 minutes from Washington, D.C., IESL is convenient to major American cities along the United States East Coast. This blending of a safe, friendly community with easy access to large urban areas makes IESL the perfect place to live, to study, and to learn.
All IESL courses are taught on the Shenandoah University main campus, so students are fully immersed in the American collegiate experience. Class sizes are kept small to give you personalized instruction in a pleasant, welcoming environment.
Learn More About This Program
In addition to a state-of the art curriculum, highly qualified and caring teachers, and the latest in teaching technology and methods, full-time international IESL students have the same access to the campus facilities as students enrolled in credit-bearing programs. These include the Brandt Student Center for recreation and the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library for study.
As an additional benefit, the Center for International Programs is always available to provide a safe haven, place to just hang out, and source of information for students from more than 40 countries around the world.
A Special Benefit
Full-time international IESL students are also eligible to participate in Shenandoah University’s innovative IMLearning program, in which they obtain a MacBook Pro laptop computer and an iPad Pro 9.7 (32GB, WiFi) with an Apple Pencil for their personal and academic use during their SU careers. This is just one of the benefits that makes IESL special.
Classes
Whether your goal is to study full time at an English-speaking university, advance your career, or simply increase and polish your English language proficiency, IESL will prepare you to succeed through a comprehensive course of instruction adapted to your particular needs. Full-time study includes 20 hours each week of coursework in oral communication (speaking and listening), reading, writing, and grammar-in-use, using the latest in innovative technologies and teaching methods.
We offer two sessions each fall and spring semester and one eight-week session each summer. Classes meet five days each week, from 10 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. And IESL instructors are always happy to meet with students outside of classes as needs arise.
Courses are taught at the intermediate and advanced levels only and are noncredit bearing. Successful completion of the IESL program is proficiency based as determined by attainment of TOEFL/IELTS scores that meet university admissions requirements.
Course Schedule
|
Intermediate Level Classes |
Advanced Level Classes |
|
|
10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. |
Reading |
Reading |
|
11: a.m. to 11:50 a.m. |
Writing |
Writing |
|
1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. |
Grammar-in-Use |
Grammar-in-Use |
|
2 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. |
Oral Communication |
Oral Communication |
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Faculty
All IESL instructors have advanced degrees in the field of Teaching English as a Second Language, and many years of experience teaching in the United States and around the world. We believe that students succeed when they get specific, detailed feedback on their work, and we patiently but consistently push them to use their English in various academic and social situations to gain the skills and confidence required to meet their goals.
We also provide opportunities for IESL students to visit regular academic classes, as well as for professors from across the university to participate in IESL classes.
Application Information
Admission to IESL is open to all nonnative English speaking students with minimum scores of 45 on iBT (Internet TOEFL), 450 on Paper TOEFL, or 5.0 on IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Priority will be given to those who study full time.
Upon arrival to campus, students complete placement exams to determine their levels of listening/reading/grammar, speaking, and writing and are placed in four skills classes: oral communication (speaking and listening), reading, writing, and grammar-in-use. Classes meet five days per week for all sessions. Skill classes run concurrently to allow students to be placed at appropriate level for each individual skill.
Students in IESL are also permitted to register for appropriate performance/activity classes that do not require English language proficiency.
We hope to receive your application to IESL soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions about our programs, please contact Dr. Steven Humphries, at shumphri@su.edu. We look forward to hearing from you and, we hope, welcoming you to the great experience that is Shenandoah University IESL!
Program Schedule/Important Dates
Note – There are no application deadlines for the IESL program; however, to ensure sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and the visa process to be completed in the United States and your home country, you should apply at least nine weeks prior to the beginning of the term you plan to attend.
If you are already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, have maintained your status, and are eligible to transfer to SU IESL program, you should apply at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the term you plan to attend.
| Term | Housing Deadline | Beginning Date | Ending Date |
| Spring 2017 | No Set Date; Apply Early! | January 17th | May 4th |
| Summer 2017 | Not Available | July 3rd | August 12th |
| Fall 2017 | June 1st * | August 21st | December 1st |
| Spring 2018 | No Set Date; Apply Early! | January 16th | May 3rd |
| Summer 2018 | Not Available | July 2nd | August 18th |
* This date for guaranteed housing only. University housing may not be available after this date.
Program Costs
| Application Fee | Tuition | Other Fees/Costs(Includes Placement/TOEFL ITP) | |
| Fall and Spring (16 Weeks) | $30 | $6,500 |
$165 Technology $290 iMLearning (Laptop) $150 (Estimate for Books/Materials) |
| Summer (8 Weeks) | $30 | $3,250 |
$165 Technology $290 iMLearning (Laptop) $150 (Estimate for Books/Materials) |