Intensive English Program (https://ee.wwu.edu/intensive-english-program)

Western’s Intensive English Program (IEP) offers a pathway for English as a Second Language (ESL) learners into one of the U.S.’s top public universities.  Our IEP helps students learn English for business or social purposes, or to prepare students for degree study at Western.

The IEP offers small class sizes (no more than 15) with highly experienced faculty who all have Master’s degrees. The program provides ample opportunities for students to improve their spoken and written English through classroom work and interactions with American students, international students and community members. Students live on campus with American roommates and are totally immersed in our language and culture.

IEP’s vision is to share the Western Experience with as many students as possible through enrollment to Western Washington University.  Students may apply simultaneously to the IEP and for conditional admission to Western without TOEFL or IELTS scores. Upon completion of the IEP (Level 6), students may enroll in Western’s undergraduate degree programs.

* Why take IEP and not a TOEFL/IELTS prep course?

1. IEP is a high-touch program that assists students in all aspects of their learning and living from day 1 of their arrival. The relationship continues even after they graduate and continue their studies at WWU.
2. Total immersion in American culture and language – quickest way to improve in a language.
3. Students live on campus with American roommates, have a chance to acculturate to the United States and make friends before they begin their degree studies. This is a big contributor to success in university.
4. All faculty have Master’s degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or related fields.
5. Small class size (no more than 15) allows faculty to provide more one-on-one guidance to students.
6. Level 6 students take a university-level class so students are much better prepared for undergraduate coursework.
7. Students graduating from the IEP are better prepared for their undergraduate studies because they are already used to the American way of teaching and learning.