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English as a Second Language (ESL)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed for non-native speakers who wish to improve their English proficiency. IAU offers an intensive ESL program of study at six levels for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students in the language skills of reading, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. Understanding U.S. American culture is an integral part of each class. Teachers use audio/visual materials, multimedia-based technology, and individual attention to provide every student with the opportunity to master the English language. A holistic approach is utilized while teaching, listening, speaking, writing, and reading in an immersive environment. Students who complete the ESL program will demonstrate effective academic writing skills in terms of fluency, critical thinking, and reading comprehension.

Admissions Requirements

Program Learning Objectives
Requirements
Career

Program Learning Objectives (PLO)

Primary objectives of this program include equipping students with the knowledge and ability to:

  1. Demonstrate developmental writing skills that use a standard academic organizational pattern: topic sentence with main idea, supporting evidence, analysis, elaboration and concluding sentence using correct grammar and punctuation. (SLO1)
  2. Demonstrate developmental oral presentation skills to communicate the main idea, provide supporting evidence, reasons and examples using clear and accurate pronunciation and grammar. (SLO2)
  3. Apply critical thinking skills by reading and listening to English passages to identify the main idea, supporting details and make conclusions. (SLO3)

Mode of Instruction

Instruction can be completed through classroom-hybrid and/or online instructional methodologies.

Curriculum

E.S.L. Program Requirements
Level 1 Beginning I
ESL 101 Listening & Pronunciations
ESL 102 Reading and Vocabulary
ESL 103 Writing and Grammar
ESL 104 Conversation & Idioms
Level 2 Beginning II
ESL 201 Listening & Pronunciations II
ESL 202 Reading and Vocabulary II
ESL 203 Writing and Grammar II
ESL 204 Conversation & Idioms II
Level 3 Intermediate I
ESL 301 Listening & Pronunciations III
ESL 302 Reading & Vocabulary III
ESL 303 Writing and Grammar III
ESL 304 Conversation & Idioms III
Level 4 Intermediate II
ESL 402 Reading and Vocabulary IV
ESL 403 Writing & Grammar IV
ESL 404 Conversation & Idioms IV
ESL 405 Critical Thinking Skills IV
Level 5 Advanced I
ESL 502 Reading & Vocabulary V
ESL 503 Writing and Grammar V
ESL 504 Conversation & Idioms V
ESL 505 Critical Thinking Skills II
Level 6 Advanced II
ESL 601 Advanced English & American Culture I
ESL 602 Advanced English & American Culture II

For the course descriptions, click here.

Level Changes

Every effort is made to place students at their correct level of proficiency. Students interested in changing levels will be required to take the Digital TOEFL ITP® exam as an exit examination and must achieve scores to substantiate that they exceed the proficiency requirements in their current Level and that they are competent to be promoted to the next Level.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a Level with the minimum prescribed score.
  2. Apply for graduation and meet all academic and financial requirements.
  3. F-1 students must maintain lawful status.

IAU’s ESL program does not prepare graduates for a specific occupation or employment and do not provide formal career planning services. However, earning a certificate of completion or recognition from an accredited English language school like IAU could help you in the job market. When writing a resume, students should definitely include any certificate(s) or award(s) earned while studying at IAU. They will show how hard you worked, and they will give your prospective employer a sense of your English proficiency level. If you complete IAU’s Business English program, the resume will look even more impressive to employers who need someone to perform business or business-related tasks in English.

Program Learning Objectives
Requirements
Career

Program Learning Objectives (PLO)

Primary objectives of this program include equipping students with the knowledge and ability to:

  1. Demonstrate developmental writing skills that use a standard academic organizational pattern: topic sentence with main idea, supporting evidence, analysis, elaboration and concluding sentence using correct grammar and punctuation. (ILO1)
  2. Demonstrate developmental oral presentation skills to communicate the main idea, provide supporting evidence, reasons and examples using clear and accurate pronunciation and grammar. (ILO2)
  3. Apply critical thinking skills by reading and listening to English passages to identify the main idea, supporting details and make conclusions. (ILO3)

Mode of Instruction

Instruction can be completed through classroom-hybrid and/or online instructional methodologies.

Curriculum

E.S.L. Program Requirements
Level 1 Beginning I
ESL 101 Listening & Pronunciations
ESL 102 Reading and Vocabulary
ESL 103 Writing and Grammar
ESL 104 Conversation & Idioms
Level 2 Beginning II
ESL 201 Listening & Pronunciations II
ESL 202 Reading and Vocabulary II
ESL 203 Writing and Grammar II
ESL 204 Conversation & Idioms II
Level 3 Intermediate I
ESL 301 Listening & Pronunciations III
ESL 302 Reading & Vocabulary III
ESL 303 Writing and Grammar III
ESL 304 Conversation & Idioms III
Level 4 Intermediate II
ESL 402 Reading and Vocabulary IV
ESL 403 Writing & Grammar IV
ESL 404 Conversation & Idioms IV
ESL 405 Critical Thinking Skills IV
Level 5 Advanced I
ESL 502 Reading & Vocabulary V
ESL 503 Writing and Grammar V
ESL 504 Conversation & Idioms V
ESL 505 Critical Thinking Skills II
Level 6 Advanced II
ESL 601 Advanced English & American Culture I
ESL 602 Advanced English & American Culture II

For the course descriptions, click here.

Level Changes

Every effort is made to place students at their correct level of proficiency. Students interested in changing levels will be required to take the Digital TOEFL ITP® exam as an exit examination and must achieve scores to substantiate that they exceed the proficiency requirements in their current Level and that they are competent to be promoted to the next Level.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Complete a Level with the minimum prescribed score.
  2. Apply for graduation and meet all academic and financial requirements.
  3. F-1 students must maintain lawful status.

IAU’s ESL program does not prepare graduates for a specific occupation or employment and do not provide formal career planning services. However, earning a certificate of completion or recognition from an accredited English language school like IAU could help you in the job market. When writing a resume, students should definitely include any certificate(s) or award(s) earned while studying at IAU. They will show how hard you worked, and they will give your prospective employer a sense of your English proficiency level. If you complete IAU’s Business English program, the resume will look even more impressive to employers who need someone to perform business or business-related tasks in English.

Quality and Cost Effective

Non-Leveled

Level

Hybrid/Online

Instruction Methods

TBD

Program Length

  • I achieved my MBA at International American University and was honored to be awarded Student of the Year Award 2020. First of all, choosing IAU was one of the best decisions in my career because it helped me push my boundaries professionally and personally. I came to the USA with a pocket full of dreams to achieve a higher education degree and the goal to learn management, marketing, finance, and organizational behavior concepts.

    Read more

    Uuganbayar Batsukh
    MBA 2020 Student

Study in IAU Campuses

JUNE 16, 2025 ANNOUNCEMENT: SAFETY

Curfew is in effect 8:00 PM–6:00 AM in Downtown LA, Koreatown, and nearby areas.

IAULA

  • Hours of operations M-F from 9 AM - 7 PM
  • All night classes June 16 - 18 are shifted to IAUonline. 

IAULAX

  • Operates as usual 

Please stay safe and indoors during curfew hours. For emergencies, contact local authorities. Track updates on the IAU  website and social media.

Please contact [email protected] for any additional questions. 

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