IELP Mission

As an integral component of fulfilling the mandate of Central Connecticut State University as a Center for Excellence in International Education, it is the mission of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) to provide English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction in American English and an introduction to American culture.  The IELP serves international students, non-native speakers of English residing in the surrounding area, faculty members from abroad, and foreign professionals.  Specifically, the IELP offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) to individuals who are seeking matriculation into American universities, especially CCSU, and facilitates the transition of these students into mainstream academic courses.  For those not wishing to pursue academic study, the IELP provides ESL for enrichment and the improvement of communicative competence.  Furthermore, it furnishes ESL support to the Study Centers of the Center for International Education.  English for Special Purposes (ESP) is offered at the IELP to meet the needs of businesses operating in the area and abroad.  Additionally, the IELP provides professional support for practica and assistantships for students who are pursuing their Master’s Degree in TESOL at CCSU.

IELP Philosophy and Approach

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) employs a partially integrated, whole language approach to course design and instruction.  Our primary goal is to enable students to learn English in a manner that will best prepare them for academic study in an environment where English is the language of instruction.  The IELP has divided its core curriculum into two major skill areas: listening/speaking/ pronunciation and reading/writing/grammar.

Because all skills are integrated in a natural language environment, the curriculum has been designed to lead students through the stages of language acquisition by developing first fluency, then accuracy, and finally correctness in all skill areas.