Intensive English Program

This is a full-time academic program for all English language learners. The intensive English program (IEP) follows the highly effective and innovative focal skills approach, which naturally allows language skills to build on one another with a series of modules featuring in-depth, focused instruction.

IEP Fall & Spring Classes

Who Should Attend

Prospective ECC students, international students, professionals, business people, and others want to improve their English skills and cultural understanding necessary for success in higher education, the business world, or personal growth and development. This program meets the requirements of a full course of study for F-1 international students and is appropriate for students on other types of visas.

Enrollment & Costs

Enrollment is always open. Come to Building B, Room B157.05, or call 847-214-7163. A placement test is required for all new students.

In-District Tuition: $387.00 per session (20 hours per week): $1,548 per semester.
Out of State/International Tuition: $1,188 per session (20 hours per week): $4,752 per semester.

Students must register and pay on the first day of each session.

Class Schedules

There are four modules – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Pre-collegiate. In addition to the modules, students choose various electives to complete their schedules. After initial placement, students are reassessed every four weeks with the potential to move to the next module, which allows them to move quickly through the program.

Dates to Know

All testing takes place in Building C, Room C121

New Student Orientation/Placement Testing

  • August 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Session Testing

  • August 16 at 12:30 p.m.
  • September 13 at 12:30 p.m.
  • October 11 at 12:30 p.m.
  • November 8 at 12:30 p.m.

5-Week IEP Summer Workshops

The intensive English program will host two programs for students who are learning English as a Second Language:

  • 5-week IEP workshops
  • 3-week English language and cultural experience

Both programs are offered Monday through Thursday, and students are welcome to enroll in one or both programs.

Who Should Attend

Our intensive English summer programs are designed for students who want to combine a high-quality English language development program with intercultural experience. Classroom activities integrate listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills at an appropriate level from beginner to advanced.

Enrollment & Costs

Tuition amounts shown are per section. Placement testing determines the appropriate section for registration.

Workshop Schedules

Summer workshops run in June and July. The focus of these workshops is on reading, writing, grammar, and speaking. The classes will meet in the morning and afternoon, Monday through Thursday.

Beginning Level

These classes focus on communication for further listening and speaking development. The formal writing, reading, vocabulary, and grammar skills will progress along the lines of everyday situations, interesting contexts, and a variety of material. Newly-arrived learners and those students who need more classroom focus are welcome to participate so that they may increase their participation in the English-speaking world and enjoy more success.

Intermediate & Advanced Levels

These two courses provide an intensive review and development of language skills at the academic level. Each course deals with both the more formal skills of writing, grammar, reading, organization strategies, speaking and listening skills, presentations, and conversation. Included will be study skills, critical thinking expansion, technology workshops and utilization, vocabulary development, and practice for fluency.

3-Week English Language & Cultural Experience

July 

Emphasis will be on spoken communication: fluency, comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, idioms, and pronunciation, but the skills of reading, writing, organizing, and studying will also be involved. Topics such as cultural figures, social conventions, comparing cultures, news and events, and entertainment will be drawn from experience, text, interesting articles, TV, film presentations, and the internet. Various aspects and conventions of U.S. culture provide the content for this course to develop language skills.