About IEP

IEP Meets You Where You Are

Western’s Intensive English Program meets students where they are in English learning and helps them improve from there.

IEP provides learning opportunities for students who are:

  • preparing to study in U.S. colleges or universities.
  • looking to further their professional career.
  • looking to improve their English language skills.
  • interested in having a rich cultural experience on a U.S. university campus

IEP students will receive quality instruction from highly trained faculty. In addition, students are supported by friendly staff who engage students in weekly activities and cultural experiences.

Study at Your Level

IEP has six levels of instruction, ranging from Level 1 (Beginning) to Level 6 (University Prep). After you apply, you will take a placement test and be placed in the appropriate level.

*Please note: some levels may not always be offered based on student enrollment.

  • Level 1: Beginning
  • Level 2: Early Intermediate
  • Level 3: Intermediate
  • Level 4: Early Advanced
  • Level 5: Advanced*
  • Level 6: University Prep*

*Students can now earn up to 15 credits toward WWU graduation with any undergraduate degree in IEP levels 5 and 6. This equals one full quarter of undergraduate study.

IEP Courses

Levels 1-4 Offer the Following Courses

Develop comprehension, vocabulary, and critical analysis skills. 

Learn to write grammatically-correct sentences, focused paragraphs, and well-organized essays.

Increase understanding and use of grammatical structures as they support other English language skills.

Develop listening and oral production skills to increase confidence using English in both everyday and academic/professional situations.

Levels 5 and 6 Offer the Following Courses

Use university-level and technical readings to work on advanced reading skills. Learn how to make inferences, draw conclusions, and read critically.

Work on higher-level academic writing, with an introduction to research methods and writing. Learn to perform the writing tasks required at U.S. universities. Develop skills valued in international business settings.

Gain confidence discussing complex ideas and presenting in front of an audience. Practice completing university-level coursework with academic support from IEP instructors.

IEP Level Approximation to Standardized Tests

Western strives for accurate placement and wants each student to be in the best learning environment.

See how your standardized test scores translate to IEP level in the table below. Note that the IEP does not guarantee this level. Your true level will be decided using Western’s placement test where teachers assess your current skills.

IEP Level Placement Table

IEP Level Approximation to Standardized Tests

IEP Level

PBT TOEFL

IBT TOEFL

IELTS

DSE

EIKEN

TOEIC

Basic

272-310

≤ 19

≤ 1.0

0-250

 

 

1

311-350

20-29

≤ 1.0

 

 

 

2

351-389

30-39

2.0

3

255-400

 

3

390-429

40-49

3.0

Pre 2

 

 

4

430-469

50-59

4.0

Pre 2

405-600

 

5

470-509

60-69

5.0

3

2

 

6

510-549

70-79

6.0

4

2A

605-700