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The IELI Intensive English Language Program offers English preparation courses for international students who want to study at The University of North Texas or at a university or college in the United States.

History

In the mid 1970s, English Language Services, a company located in Dallas, was conducting ESL classes on the UNT campus in College Inn. Dr. Charles Martin, a linguistics professor in the English Department, presented the idea to Associate Dean Hugh Ayer and people from the newly-formed International Education group that the university should have its own Intensive English Program. The idea was accepted, and planning began for the school. Dr. John Crow, the Institute’s first director, was hired in l977 by Fred Kessler, the first head of International Education at the university. Fall of l977 was the opening semester for the Intensive English Language Institute.

In fall of l977, enrollment in IELI was 35 students--80% from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries. Amir Abassi, who later received his doctorate at UNT and became the Director of the Sponsored Students Office, was the first officially matriculated student. There were four instructors who began with the program the first semester: Dr. Evelyn Black, who remained at the school until her retirement in l996, Caroline McMichael, Ann Wallace, and Marie Crane.

IELI was originally headquartered in John Crow’s office in the English Department. Classes met all over campus, but only in the afternoon because that was when rooms were available. IELI moved to the west wing, second floor of Kendall Hall in the fall of l978. In l990, instructors’ offices moved to the newly acquired space on the west wing, first floor of Kendall Hall. In the fall of l996, IELI expanded into the east wing of the second floor of Kendall Hall, adding more classrooms and a state-of-the-art language lab.

The original listening lab opened in l981, and there were no computers in the lab at that time. In l984, the lab acquired 11 Apple computers. The lab became fully computerized in l990 with a physical expansion, which allowed computer use.

The original design of the intensive program was five levels, with sixteen-week terms. In 1990 the curriculum changed to six levels, and the terms were reduced to eight weeks. The positions of Curriculum Coordinators for Writing and Communication were created at that time also. After John Crow (1977-1984), IELI has had other directors: Grant Henning (1984), Dan Robertson (1984-1989), Rebecca Smith-Murdock (1989-1991), and Eva Bowman (1991-2010). There have also been several interim directors: Nancy Strickland, Marjorie Knowles, Nancy Sandoval, and Gaye Childress. Dr. Fernando Fleurquin (2010 – present) serves as the director of IELI.

Accreditation

IELI was accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) in 2000 becoming one of the first six IEPs in the country to receive full accreditation. It is currently accredited through 2015. CEA is recognized by the US Department of Education.

IELI is one of the few Intensive English Programs in the U.S. that is accredited by CEA and is a member in good standing of AAIEP and UCIEP.

Academic

IELI curriculum has been designed in such a way that each course builds on the skills taught in previous courses. Content is logically sequenced with built-in redundancy to ensure that students are prepared for the next level. Goals and objectives and syllabi for every academic skill at each level of instruction are available for these courses:

Core sequenced classes


 * Communication, Levels Pre-1 to 6
 * Writing, Levels Pre-1 to 6
 * Supplemental sequenced classes
 * Supplemental sequenced classes
 * Supplemental sequenced classes

Auxiliary classes


 * Graduate Preparation Class (GPC)
 * International Teaching Assistants (ITA)
 * Pre-MBA/MS Program
 * TOEFL Preparation Class
 * Pre-MBA/MS Program
 * TOEFL Preparation Class
 * TOEFL Preparation Class

General Philosophy and Guidelines:

An eclectic approach to teaching the target skills in Communication classes has developed over the years at the IELI as a result of several influences. These include research in second-language acquisition and applied linguistics; development of new methodologies and techniques in ESL; the perspective of TESL graduate programs in the U. S. and abroad; and the ongoing development of teaching techniques and materials by IELI teachers. The teaching philosophy is continually modified as changes occur in the field and in the institute itself. During the term students are given standardized reading skills tests, vocabulary tests, speaking tests and listening tests. These tests were created by IELI teachers. They are revised every term by the Curriculum Coordinator based on teachers’ feedback and suggestions. Level-specific final exams, which have both a reading and listening component, are given at the end of the term.

Faculty

IELI have instructors with master’s degrees in TESL, Applied Linguistics, Second Language Education, or a closely related field.

Students

With over 450 students from over 30 different countries, IELI offers small classes, with an average class size of 12.