Intensive English Language Program

Get on the Fast Path to Learning English

Learn English at a faster pace with students from around the world. In the Intensive English Language Program (IELP), you can learn the same English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in just 7 weeks as in a traditional 14-week class.

Why Take ESL Courses at the College?

• Experience: Community College of Philadelphia has been offering ESL courses for more than 30 years
• Diversity: Learn along with more than 250 international students from more than 50 countries, as well as resident students who represent many ethnic backgrounds
• Support: Discover a caring, personalized environment while experiencing the excitement, diversity and opportunity of a world-class city that balances history with modern amenities
• Accelerated Learning: Intensive English Language courses allow you to study English at the pace you need and help you to start classes in your major course of study faster than traditional semester-long courses
• Faculty: Classes are taught by faculty who are experts in the field of English language teaching and have extensive experience instructing diverse students

A Supportive Environment

Your learning experience is enriched by tutoring and fun activities outside of the classroom that are designed to help you excel in English.

The Multilingual Center is a dedicated hub for academic and enrichment support for IELP students. Activities and support offered through our Multilingual Center include conversation partners, tutoring, walking tours and more.

Reach Your Goals in Half of the Time

Intensive English Language courses are now available to match your level of English. The IELP program currently offers two levels of listening and speaking and three levels of reading and writing. In addition, students who place in high intermediate reading and writing and advanced listening and speaking may take the college-level First Year Experience (FYE 101) course and college-level Grammar (ENGL 106).

A typical semester is divided into two 7-week terms. Attend classes four days per week each term, and you can complete up to 18 credits in one semester.

 Courses Offered

Reading and Writing Courses

ENGL 082 Intermediate Reading for Non-Native Speakers of English and ENGL 092 Intermediate Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English

This pair of courses teaches reading and writing as processes, vocabulary development, study skills, critical thinking and reading comprehension. Introduces expository essays, summaries and reading responses, compound verb forms, and compound and complex sentence structures. Credit will not be applied toward graduation.

ENGL 083 High Intermediate Reading for Non-Native Speakers of English and ENGL 093 High Intermediate Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English

This pair of courses emphasizes reading and writing processes with continued vocabulary development, reading in the content areas, and the analysis of fiction and nonfiction. Development of a social, cultural and historical context for reading. Sentence variety and advanced grammar, with writing in a variety of expository essay modes in response to reading. Credits will not be applied toward graduation.

ENGL 099 ESL Reading Improvement: Advanced Reading for Non-Native Speakers of English and ENGL 098 ESL Fundamentals of Writing: Advanced Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English

This pair of courses offers instruction and intensive practice in the development of academic reading and writing skills. Analysis of literary and nonfiction materials. Extensive practice in the writing process leading to the five-paragraph essay. Study of advanced grammar.

Listening and Speaking Courses

ENGL 072 Intermediate Listening and Speaking for Non-Native Speakers of English

Speaking, listening and writing practice with intermediate grammar and vocabulary. Increased emphasis on sociolinguistic and pronunciation rules. Introduction to formal speech making, class discussion techniques and college note-taking skills. Credit will not be applied toward graduation.

ENGL 073 Advanced Listening and Speaking for Non-Native Speakers of English

Provides practice in complex communication tasks, including oral presentations, with emphasis on sentence intonation and word stress. It continues the study of grammar begun in English 071 and 072, and prepares the student for note taking, discussion and advanced reading skills necessary for college work.

Grammar Course

ENGL 106 Grammar

This course focuses on the basic elements of standard English grammar, syntax and sentence structure, and emphasizes the parts of speech, syntactical relationships and coherence in writing. Includes diagrammatic analysis of practice exercises and the student's own written work.

First Year Experience Course

FYE 101 First Year Experience

This course introduces first-year students to ideas and strategies required for college-level academic inquiry and college success, including critical thinking, communication, cultural competence, problem-solving, data interpretation and institutional knowledge. Students develop college preparedness skills such as time management, note taking, study methods, test taking, information literacy and an understanding of academic integrity. Students apply critical thinking and communication skills to areas such as cultural diversity, media literacy and financial literacy, and gain an understanding of campus and community resources. Students create an appropriate academic plan, financial plan and career/transfer plan in the course of the semester. Liberal Arts and Liberal Arts-Social/Behavioral Science students are required to enroll in FYE 101 within the first 12 credits.

 Sample Course Schedule

 Calendar