Information for Academic English Students

Academic English Program

The mission of the Academic English Program at Oregon State University is to create opportunities for international students to develop the academic, critical thinking, and linguistic skills necessary to succeed in a US university. You will receive high quality English language instruction to help you meet your educational and personal goals.

English Program Placement

All new students must do a placement test before they can register for classes. The score on your placement exam will put you into a Listening/ Speaking Level and a Reading/Writing level. 

Academic English Program Core Courses

We offer Courses from Level 0 (Foundations) to Level  6 (Advanced) based on enrollment needs and the results of placement tests. These courses are available to students in our non-degree programs, such as Academic English, Study Abroad with English (SAWE), and other special programs. 

Level Academic Listening and Speaking Academic Reading and Vocabulary Academic Writing and Grammar
Foundation IEPA 002 IEPA 007 IEPA 009
1 IEPA 011 IEPA 014 IEPA 018
2 IEPA 021 IEPA 024 IEPA 028
3 IEPA 031 IEPA 034 IEPA 038
4 IEPA 041 IEPA 044 IEPA 048
  Academic Listening and Speaking Academic Reading and Writing Electives
5 IEPA 051 IEPA 050 Various
6 IEPA 061 IEPA 060 Various

Frequently Asked Questions

Level Placement and Passing Courses

New Students

Talk to your teacher in the first two days of class. Ask them to change your level. Your teacher will review your request. 

Continuing Students

You must take one term at your current level.

If your class is too difficult, use the free tutoring services in our Learning Center. 

Set up an appointment with a Learning Center Tutor.

 

No.

You cannot change your level with an IELTS or TOEFL score. The only way to advance to the next level is to pass your classes.

You must earn a minimum grade of 73%, a "C", in each class. A "C-" or below is not a passing grade. 

The Academic English program uses the following grading scale for core courses:

Passing Not Passing
100 - 93 / A 72 - 70 / C-
92 - 90 / A- 69 - 68 / D+
89 - 88 / B+ 67 - 63 / D
87 - 83 / B 62 - 60 / D-
82 - 80 / B-  
79 - 78 / C+  
77 - 73 / C  

The Academic English program uses the following grading scale for elective  courses:

Passing Not Passing
100 - 73 72 - 0

 

 You have 3 opportunities to pass a class before you are suspended. PDF icon Policy Chart PDF (142.75 KB)

70% or C

Policy Chart PDF You should attend all classes and arrive on time. If you miss any part of class (e.g. arrive late, leave during class, or leave early), it will be recorded and calculated to your overall attendance percentage. If you miss more than 30% of any class, you will be placed on Attendance Warning. If you continue to have poor attendance, you risk being placed on Probation and finally Suspension.

Mid-term and final exams cannot be rescheduled. No early final exams will be given. If you are absent on the day of a major test or quiz, you will get a score of 0%.

To help you understand what you will learn in each level of the Academic English program, here is a list of student learning outcomes for each course. You will find more specific information on the Course Description/Syllabus for your courses.

Foundation Level

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 002 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand simple statements, questions, and short conversations about personal information and other Foundation topics.
  2. Participate effectively in short, prepared conversations and other speaking activities.
  3. Use phrases and simple sentences to communicate clearly about yourself and other Foundation topics.
  4. Use Foundation vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation accurately and fluently in course activities.
  5. Use speaking and listening strategies such as back channelling and clarifying to improve your communication skills.
IEPA 007 Reading/Vocabulary
  1. Identify and understand information in short and simple texts.
  2. Respond effectively to written questions and texts about personal information and other Foundation topics.
  3. Understand and use at least 100 new Foundation words correctly in course activities.
  4. Use reading and vocabulary learning strategies such as pre-reading, skimming and scanning, memorizing new words, and sounding out new words.
IEPA 009 Writing/Grammar
  1. Respond effectively to written questions and texts.
  2. Write phrases and simple sentences to communicate clearly about yourself and about other Foundation topics.
  3. Use Foundation spelling, grammar, and vocabulary accurately in course activities.
  4. Use writing and grammar learning strategies such as pre-writing, identifying grammar patterns, and practicing verb forms.

Level 1

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 011 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, major details, and other important information in short and simple conversations and monologues about familiar topics.
  2. Participate effectively in short conversations and other speaking activities.
  3. Use simple descriptions and short sentences to communicate clearly in brief talks and other interactions.
  4. Use Level 1 vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation accurately and fluently in course activities.
  5. Use speaking and listening strategies such as planning short talks, asking follow-up questions, and using fillers to improve your communication skills.
IEPA 014 Reading/Vocabulary
  1. Identify and understand main ideas, major details, and other important information in short and simple texts.
  2. Respond effectively to written questions and simple texts about Level 1 topics.
  3. Understand and use at least 120 new Level 1 words correctly in course activities.
  4. Use reading and vocabulary learning strategies such as pre-reading, using images to learn new words, and creating vocabulary lists.
IEPA 018 Writing/Grammar
  1. Respond effectively to written questions and simple texts.
  2. Write sentences and short paragraphs to communicate clearly about familiar topics.
  3. Use Level 1 spelling, grammar, and vocabulary accurately in course activities.
  4. Use writing and grammar learning strategies such as pre-writing, drafting, identifying grammar patterns, and practicing verb forms.

Level 2

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 021 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, major details, and minor details in conversations and monologues about everyday topics.
  2. Participate effectively in short conversations including asking for and giving simple descriptions, directions, and opinions.
  3. Successfully communicate in short talks and other interactions about topics such as past experiences or future plans.
  4. Use Level 2 vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation accurately and fluently in course activities.
  5. Use speaking and listening strategies such as summarizing information, using discourse markers, and repairing breakdowns to improve your communication skills.
IEPA 024 Reading/Vocabulary
  1. Identify and understand main ideas, major details, and supporting details in simple, factual texts.
  2. Respond effectively to information in factual texts about everyday topics.
  3. Understand and use at least 120 new Level 2 words correctly in course activities.
  4. Use reading and vocabulary learning strategies such as pre-reading, doing extensive reading, and creating vocabulary logs.
IEPA 028 Writing/Grammar
  1. Respond effectively to information in simple, factual texts.
  2. Write clearly organized paragraphs to communicate successfully about everyday topics.
  3. Use Level 2 spelling, grammar, and vocabulary accurately in course activities.
  4. Use writing and grammar learning strategies such as pre-writing, drafting, identifying grammar patterns, and practicing verb forms.

Level 3

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 031 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, supporting details, and other important information in conversations and talks about general interest topics.
  2. Participate effectively in guided conversations, and successfully interview others in English.
  3. Successfully communicate information about personal experiences and the results of surveys and interviews in prepared presentations and other interactions.
  4. Use Level 3 vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation accurately and fluently in course activities.
  5. Use a process approach to prepare and deliver presentations that include information from surveys and interviews. Introduce information from surveys and interviews properly. 
IEPA 034 Reading/Vocabulary
  1. Identify and understand main ideas, supporting details, and other important information in fiction and nonfiction texts.
  2. Respond effectively to information in fiction and nonfiction texts about general interest topics.
  3. Understand and use at least 150 new Level 3 words correctly in course activities.
  4. Use reading and vocabulary learning strategies such as pre-reading, doing extensive reading, and identifying word families.
IEPA 038 Writing/Grammar
  1. Respond effectively to information in fiction and nonfiction texts.
  2. Write clearly organized paragraphs and multi-paragraph compositions to communicate successfully about general interest topics.
  3. Use Level 3 spelling, grammar, and vocabulary accurately in course activities.
  4. Use a process approach to write a multi-paragraph composition: plan writing, write multiple drafts, use feedback, revise, and edit.

Level 4

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 041 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, important details, and implied meanings in short supported lectures and other listening on familiar academic topics.
  2. Participate successfully in unplanned and planned conversations about a variety of familiar academic topics, and respond effectively to information in discussions and academic lectures.
  3. Communicate effectively in speaking tasks on a wide range of topics using clear organization and cohesion, supporting details, examples, information from outside sources, and paralinguistic skills.
  4. Use Level 4 vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation with sufficient range, accuracy, and fluency to clearly convey ideas in speaking activities.
IEPA 044 Reading/Vocabulary
  1. Recognize, identify, and understand topic, structure, audience, register, purpose, central theme, main ideas, implied main ideas, major and minor supporting details and their relationships in authentic and adapted academic texts appropriate for this level. Show understanding by creating a summary, orally or in writing.
  2. Apply reading strategies effectively to understand and respond to information in adapted and authentic fiction and academic texts.
  3. Comprehend and accurately use at least 120 target vocabulary words from the Academic Word List.
  4. Use effective vocabulary-learning strategies, including using context to decode unfamiliar words.
IEPA 048 Writing/Grammar
  1. Respond effectively to information in short academic texts about a variety of topics. Summarize and paraphrase content accurately and appropriately.
  2. Use clear organization and cohesion to write effective paragraphs and short essays. Support ideas with details, examples, and information from sources.
  3. Use effective Level 4 vocabulary, a variety of sentence types, and a range of grammar forms to support arguments successfully.
  4. Successfully use academic and writing strategies to complete academic tasks.

Level 5

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 050 Reading/Writing
  1. Identify and understand main ideas, important details, and logical implications in authentic academic texts.
  2. Effectively locate and evaluate information from academic sources to support an academic thesis. Summarize and paraphrase content accurately and appropriately, and refute opposing viewpoints successfully.
  3. Develop arguments systematically and clearly convey opinions in writing. Write effective thesis statements and support viewpoints with details, examples, logical explanations, and evidence from reliable sources in paragraphs and a cohesive academic essay.
  4. Use effective vocabulary, a variety of sentence types, and a range of advanced grammar forms to support arguments successfully and emphasize key information in academic writing.
  5. Successfully use academic, writing, and reading strategies to complete course activities.
IEPA 051 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, important details, logical implications, and rhetorical strategies in authentic academic listening, including extended university lectures.
  2. Participate successfully in pair, group, and whole class discussions about a wide range of academic topics, and respond effectively to information in discussions and academic lectures.
  3. Communicate effectively in extended speaking tasks, including defending opinions on controversial topics and supporting viewpoints with evidence from outside sources.
  4. Use academic vocabulary, advanced grammar, and pronunciation with sufficient range, accuracy, and fluency to successfully discuss ideas and support arguments in speaking activities.
  5. Successfully use academic, speaking, and listening strategies to complete academic tasks.

Level 6

Course By the end of the term, you will be able to...
IEPA 060 Reading/Writing
  1. Identify and understand main ideas, supporting details, and other important information in authentic academic texts on a variety of topics.
  2. Effectively locate and evaluate information from sources to support an academic thesis. Summarize and paraphrase content accurately and appropriately, and synthesize information from different sources to support ideas.
  3. Write academic essays and analyses with clear organization and cohesion on a range of advanced academic topics. Develop complex arguments systematically, synthesizing and integrating information from multiple sources, underlining relevant salient issues, and expanding and supporting opinions with subsidiary points.
  4. Use a variety of advanced academic vocabulary, sentence types, and grammar structures to analyze and evaluate academic texts, differentiate between ideas, and emphasize information in university-level writing.
  5. Successfully use academic, writing, and reading strategies to complete course activities.
IEPA 061 Listening/Speaking
  1. Understand main ideas, important details, inferences, and logical implications in advanced authentic academic listening, including extended university lectures from a range of academic disciplines.
  2. Respond critically in discussions to information and arguments presented in university-level listening passages, peer presentations, and full-length lectures.
  3. Communicate effectively in extended speaking tasks on advanced academic topics, including supporting arguments, refuting opposing viewpoints, and integrating information from multiple outside academic sources in speaking tasks.
  4. Use a variety of academic vocabulary, advanced grammar, and pronunciation with sufficient range, accuracy, and fluency to effectively communicate ideas in speaking tasks on a wide range of advanced academic topics.
  5. Successfully use academic, speaking, and listening strategies to complete academic tasks.

 

 

Who can I talk to?

AE Academic Support Advisors can help you with information about these topics and more: 

  • General Questions and requests for Help

  • GPA, Academic Standing, and Academic Progress

  • Registering for Required Courses, Retaking Courses, or Changing Courses

  • Changing or Extending Your Program 

  • Required Forms for Returning Home, Transferring out to a New School, or Taking a Vacation

 

Schedule an appointment with an advisor 

You can also send any questions to: [email protected]

Contact Immigration Advising for:

  • Visa, Verfication of Enrollment (VOE), other documents, etc.

Immigration Advising Appointment 

Contact Finances for financial questions 

Finance Advising  

 

 

The Welcome Desk is the best place to go if you don't know who or how to contact the person you need. 

The Welcome desk is located in the International Living and Learning Center at 1701 SW Western Blvd.    

Virtual Welcome Desk

You should always speak with your instructors first because they make the final decisions about grades. Don't be nervous. Our instructors want to hear from you and help you.  Visit your instructor during their office hours or send them an email. 

Contact your instructor before a small question becomes a big problem. 

Common topics you can discuss are: 

  • Homework and Tests grades
  • Major class projects
  • Problems with classmates or project groups
  • Make-up work plan for emergency absences (before you miss class)

The Learning Center is here for you!

  • Talk with a tutor on Chat
  • Set up a 45 minute free tutoring appointment
  • See the hours for Open Lab (drop-in tutoring, no appointment necessary)

Learning Center

There are many ways to give feedback about a course.

Professionally Accredited Programs

The INTO Oregon State University Academic English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period August 2018 through August 2028 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the US Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the US. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.


 

CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions

Filing a Complaint against a CEA Accredited Program