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Intensive. Immersive. Invaluable.
With six convenient start dates each year, gain the English-language proficiency to achieve your goals through tailored teaching, cultural immersion, college admission advising and electives geared to your interests.
Course Overview
Through our Intensive English Program, you will gain comprehensive English-language skills to prepare you for success in the university classroom and global marketplace. Our courses are carefully developed to meet each student’s unique skillset and goals across all levels of language proficiency.
Courses are all taught by USC instructors and focus on reading, writing, listening, speaking and pronunciation. Choose from focus classes that complement your academic program, supplemented by conversation groups, language labs, university admission workshops and the chance to converse regularly with American USC students.
Levels of Instruction:
Beginning, High Beginning, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, High Advanced
Program Benefits
- Access high-quality English instruction in small, interactive classes on USC’s campus.
- Join focus classes and language labs geared to your interests.
- College admission assistance through group application workshops.
- Obtain opportunities to meet with USC International Academy partner schools — some of which accept completion of our program in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS score admission requirements.
- Gain support from our dedicated team of academic, immigration and student advisers.
- Receive full access to campus facilities, including libraries and computer labs, health center, gym and swimming pool, restaurants and cafes.
- Take advantage of cultural programming across Los Angeles as well as campus immersion activities.
- Enroll in optional SAT test preparation taught by experts (Level 5+ students only) at no additional cost.
Your University Experience in Los Angeles
At USC International Academy, language learning extends beyond the classroom to the bustling center of the University of Southern California campus and historic and cultural landmarks of Los Angeles. Weekly conversation groups, educational seminars and social outings are just some of the ways Academy students practice their English, meet new friends and explore life in our exciting city.
Courses
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Beginning Levels
Students are introduced to reading and writing in English using an integrated skills approach. Starting with writing on the sentence level and then writing paragraphs, beginning level students learn how to use supporting details to develop main ideas and the grammar necessary for accurate language production. Level-appropriate texts selected from high interest topics expand students’ vocabulary and teach strategies for comprehensible reading.Intermediate Levels
Students in intermediate levels build proficiency in writing three to five paragraph essays, beginning with personal response-type writing and moving toward formal writing styles. Grammatical structures are taught in the context of reading and incorporated directly into writing assignments. Fluency is increased by extensive reading and written analysis of authentic texts taken from the news and published articles. By the end of the high intermediate level, students are proficient in the five-paragraph essay paradigm and writing compare-contrast, cause-effect and persuasive essays.Advanced Levels
Advanced level students develop the sophisticated language needed to read freely and use the critical thinking skills necessary for success in an academic setting. Familiar with the standards and norms of the university classroom environment, advanced level students practice timed and process writing in the following modes: exemplification for persuasive purposes, comparison/contrast of concepts based on academic readings, summary of articles and argumentation. Research skills are introduced and advanced grammar is taught extensively for writing clear and grammatically correct multi-page essays. -
Beginning Levels
Beginning level Listening and Speaking classes provide a supportive and motivating environment for students to function independently in English. Speaking practices develop students’ confidence in everyday interactions through role-play, group work, and short, informal presentations. Communicative abilities are increased by listening to and telling stories, explaining the steps in a process, giving and receiving directions, and other language functions.Intermediate Levels
Students in intermediate levels develop their speaking and listening skills for academic and professional environments. They learn how to determine main ideas, distinguish important details, and infer meaning in academic lectures and presentations. Speaking skills increase by interviewing native speakers and delivering oral presentations with attention to content, organization, speaking voice, body language, and grammar. Grammatical structures needed for these interactions are taught and incorporated into students’ spoken English.Advanced Levels
Advanced level Listening and Speaking students demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and strategies appropriate for a university classroom in the United States by being able to state clearly, speak with “authority,” give appropriate feedback, and by facility in analyzing and alleviating communication problems and resolving conflicts effectively. Students research, plan, create, and deliver informative and debate-style speeches and presentations using learned platform skills and guidelines for integrating multiple sources of information. -
Focus classes zoom in on a specific area of interest. Students choose one focus class each term; it is not possible to choose focus classes before the placement test. Focus class offerings may include:
- TOEFL iBT Preparation
- IELTS Preparation
- Business Communication
- Academic Vocabulary
- Practical Vocabulary
- Pronunciation
- Life in Los Angeles
- Food and Culture
- Idioms and Slang
- English Through Film
- Current Events and News
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Our SAT test preparation courses are taught by experts and are designed to meet the needs of USC International Academy students. Courses include in-depth instruction, test-taking strategies and practice tests to help you achieve your best possible results. (Level 5 students and higher)
Is the Intensive English Program Right for You?
Explore admission information, including: requirements, dates, costs and application procedures.