Intensive English Program

This program is designed with the flexibility to move students from one level to another should it be determined that is in their best interest.

Reading
This course will build strategies for developing reading speed and comprehension, while developing the students' vocabulary.

Grammar 
This course will emphasize using structure correctly in oral and written communication.

Listening & Speaking
This course will use a pragmatic approach to build listening and speaking skills, utilizing various types of everyday communication.

Writing
This course will develop writing skills as used in everyday communication.

Pronunciation & Spelling
This course will focus on improving pronunciation of American English.

Academic Vocabulary

This course will focus on increasing your academic vocabulary. Will be taught in the Fall.

Community Conversations

This course is required of all F-1 students every semester but is also available to any student enrolled in the IEP. It will focus on conversation and life in the U.S.

Reading
This course will build strategies for improving reading speed and comprehension, while improving the students' vocabulary.

Grammar
This course will focus on the structure of American English as it is used for reading, writing, and speaking, especially in an academic context.

Listening & Speaking
This course will improve listening and speaking skills for academic purposes, including listening to lectures and taking notes, giving oral presentations, and participating in group discussions.

Writing
This course will focus on several types of academic writing: journal writing, summary writing, essay writing, and scholarly reports or research papers.

TOEFL Preparation
This course will prepare students for taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which is required at many U.S. institutions in order to take academic programs. It will use exercises and practice tests, and will focus on developing the students' test-taking skills.

Academic Language Preparation

This course will prepare students for specific academic situations, including: group work, speeches and presentations, note-taking, problem-solving, and other unique language tasks that are unique to U.S. classrooms. It will be offered in the Spring term.

Community Conversations

This course is required of all F-1 students every semester but is also available to any student enrolled in the IEP. It will focus on conversation with U.S. American peers, life in the U.S. and skills-building in a U.S. classroom context.

During Fall and Spring semesters, there is one session over a sixteen week semester. 

Four core language skill courses are offered every semester to include Listening and Speaking, Grammar, Reading and Writing as well as a TOEFL Preparation course. Additional multi-skills courses are also offered but can change from semester to semester.

Start dates for terms are August and January.  All F-1 students must complete 26 weeks prior to a vacation period. Contact the isss@drake.edu for specific dates.

Sample Intensive English Program Course Schedule (PDF)

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Students with a TOEFL score below 54-55 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) will enroll in intermediate level English as a Second Language courses. Students with an iBT score above 54-55 will enroll in advanced ESL level courses. (See below for computer and paper-based TEOFL score equivalencies.)

Scores are evaluated on each part of the TOEFL, therefore it is possible that a student may enroll at the intermediate level in some skill areas, but at the advanced level in others.

Students with iBT scores above 71 (for undergraduate study) or 79-80 (for graduate level study) are not required to take English as a Second Language, but may enroll in IEP courses that they believe will interest and benefit them. Such courses are free of charge to anyone who is paying full-time Drake tuition.

Score equivalencies

iBT = internet Based TOEFL
CBT = Computer Based TOEFL
Paper = Paper and pencil TOEFL (including the Drake institutional TOEFL)

iBT 54-55  =  CBT 157  =  Paper 480   
iBT 71  =  CBT 197  =  Paper 530
iBT 79-80  =  CBT 213  =  Paper 550