Academic English Courses in Northampton, Massachusetts
An Academic English course is where we focus on the English you’re going to need for academic purposes. That could be for university or post-grad study, or just to improve how you present reports and research at work.
Our team really cares about how you learn, what you need and what it will take to make you a proficient user of Academic English. You’re welcome here.
Are you at college already and you keep getting low grades for your assignments in English, but you don’t know why?
Are you planning to study at university but you’re worried about entrance exams or whether you’ll cope with reading academic texts, writing English essays, speaking in the right way and listening to lectures in English?
Or are you already in the world of work, but you want to present your ideas in a more cohesive way, or you need to improve your formal English language skills for reports and analysis?
It might be that you need to improve your Academic English! Keep reading,… you’re in the right place.
What is Academic English?
Academic English is the specialized language used in higher education, including universities and research settings. It includes the vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills necessary for success in academic environments. This type of English emphasizes clear, formal writing, critical reading, structured discussions, and effective listening.
At ILI, our Academic English courses help students build the essential skills needed for studying in English-speaking institutions. Whether you’re preparing for university or improving your academic communication, our courses provide the foundation for success. Academic-style English is also useful in Business English, when authoring formal reports.
Academic English Lessons At ILI Massachusetts
At ILI, our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses are designed to help you succeed in higher education. We offer small, interactive classes led by experienced instructors who provide personalized guidance and support.
Why choose ILI for Academic English?
Expert instructors with years of experience in academic English teaching.
A welcoming, student-centered environment in Northampton, a vibrant town known for its educational and cultural diversity.
Practical learning through real-world academic materials, discussions, and assignments.
University preparation focus, helping students improve their writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills for academic settings.
Well placed for the 5-College Area – and access to world class museums, libraries, academic lectures, cultural events and a bus system connecting Smith College, University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst), Amherst College, Hampshire College and Mt. Holyoke College.
Whether you’re preparing for college or enhancing your academic communication, our courses give you the confidence to excel.
What Will I Study In My Academic English Lessons?
Our Academic English programs covers the essential language skills needed for success in university settings:
Academic Writing – Learn how to write structured essays, research papers, and reports.
Critical Reading – Develop strategies for analyzing and understanding academic texts.
Listening & Note-Taking – Improve comprehension of lectures and discussions.
Speaking & Presentations – Build confidence in presenting ideas clearly in academic settings.
Academic Vocabulary – Expand your knowledge of formal and technical English words.
Critical Thinking – Learn to analyze, interpret, and engage with academic content.
Each lesson is designed to simulate real university experiences, ensuring students develop the practical skills they need to thrive.
How Can Teachers Help English Language Learners Develop Academic Language?
At ILI, our instructors use effective, research-based strategies to support you in mastering academic English:
Explicit Vocabulary Instruction – Teaching academic words in real contexts to improve comprehension and usage.
Structured Writing Practice – Guiding you through essays, reports, and research writing.
Discussion & Debate – Encouraging you to articulate ideas clearly in academic conversations.
Authentic Materials & Scaffolding – Using university-level texts and lectures with step-by-step guidance.
Personalized Feedback – Providing detailed corrections and guidance to refine language skills.
Our experienced teachers ensure that you will receive the tools and confidence needed to excel in academic settings. Our small groups also ensure you’re going to get a lot of personal attention in class.
How Can I Improve My Academic English?
Improving Academic English skills is a task like any other. We think that journey starts by you first understanding your own learning style.
We’re passionate about learning and the diversity of techniques you can use. Start by taking time to consider how you prefer to learn. What worked best in the past when you had to learn new skills and then apply them in practice?
We are fortunate to live in an era where you can learn in so many different ways, so you can tailor how you improve your Academic English skills, based on how your brain works, what you enjoy and what gets you results.
Engage in Academic Discussions – If you’re a confident person and you are very comfortable talking to people, you can join things like study groups or book clubs, participate in public debates. If you’re not that outgoing, start by explaining ideas aloud as you walk around your home, or speak in online forums where you can take your time and reflect on what you want to say. It will all lead to greater confidence in academic speaking.
Read Actively – Engage with academic articles, textbooks, and essays. If you find reading difficult or too time consuming, use a reader app on your browser to listen instead. Take notes, highlight key vocabulary that you’d like to use, and practice summarizing what you learn to improve comprehension and vocabulary. You can use an AI chat tool to get instant feedback on your summary if you’re not in class.
Expand Your Academic Vocabulary – Learn common academic words and phrases. Find a technique that works for you. That might be flashcards with a few words of vocabulary and a picture on each one. You can read scholarly texts or ask AI to give you a list of key words and phrases that make you sound more academic, and learn those. Then practice incorporating new vocabulary into your writing.
Practice Academic Writing – This is always a tough one. The goal is to be able to write full essays but start small and focus on getting your tone right. Focus on quality not quantity.
Now you might be the sort of person who can slavishly dive into a big essay project and keep going until you’ve finished. But you might also be the sort of person who needs to trick your brain into this. So have fun. Write short academic summaries of everyday events, like catching the bus downtown, or by writing formal notes of an overheard conversation in a coffee shop. Celebrate small wins. Get feedback from your teacher which will power you up to try bigger challenges.
Improve Listening Skills – Sometimes in academic debates, people talk over each other, or speak very quickly to express complex ideas, and as a non-native speaker of English, this can be exhausting at first. You can practice by listening to lectures, podcasts, or by watching TED Talks, and practice note-taking to enhance comprehension and retention.
For an easier starting point, when you’re in a public space, try and hear more of what is going on around you – try and listen to two conversations at once, and pick up the gist of each. Listen to talk-based radio shows with a scientific, political or historical angle. Be easy on yourself and don’t expect to understand everything. Note down what you do hear and check your understanding later online.
Academic English Course Options
We can help you improve your Academic English Skills in different ways depending on your availability, your budget, what you’re doing in life right now and what your goals are. Here are some options to consider, but always ask us if you are unsure what is best for you! We’re happy to help you.
Skip TOEFL/IELTS stress! Our Intensive English Program boosts your academic English, preparing you for 12 top Massachusetts colleges—no extra testing needed!
With a TESOL Certificate, you are qualified to teach English language learners anywhere in the world.
Our English Teachers
Four ILI English teachers in front of the school on a sunny day.
Our English teachers are exceptionally skilled professionals who hold either a Master’s degree or a TESOL certificate. But much more than that, they are some of the kindest, friendliest people you can meet.
They’ll challenge you and they’ll encourage you, but they’ll also listen to what you’ve got going on. We all know that learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum, that you’ve got other stuff going on too, and they’ll work with you to find the best approaches for you to excel in your Academic English language project.
They have also written extensively on the subject of Academic English language in the USA and you’ll see some of their articles in our blog.
“I am incredibly grateful for this amazing school. In just three months, my English has improved so much, and I have made lifelong friends. From day one, I learned things like the past perfect, which I never understood before. Everything just seemed to be so complicated for me before ILI. Everything about this school is special, and every day is exciting and unique. It truly is the best English school in the world, and I’m already missing them so much! The teachers and directors are simply fantastic. They make you feel at home. Thank you, ILI, for everything. You will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Thamires Mourão
from Brazil
Learned English on our Intensive English Program
Got a Question?
See if our frequently asked questions answer what’s on your mind…
Selected FAQs
Your English needs to be at a B2 level (Upper Intermediate) to attend most universities in the US. If you come to us with a B1 level, we recommend 6 months of English study before applying for college. If you’re currently A2 (High Beginner), you’ll definitely need 12 months of English study for college.
But remember there’s more to college prep than TOEFL and IELTS cramming. You need practical training for the US academic environment. You need to speak up in class actively, write well-organized original essays, and read hundreds of pages of English every week. Our University Pathways option provides that training to transition successfully without needing to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or any other test.. We require a minimum of 3 months in our University Pathways option before potential consideration for a recommendation to our partner colleges.
One month or four weeks.
Lots! Our students come from around the world with a variety of backgrounds and goals. While the minimum age is 15, most of our students are adults interested in English for personal, business, and academic purposes. In the past several years our IEP students have come from Japan, Brazil, Turkey, Chile, Italy, Ivory Coast, South Korea, France, Venezuela, Ukraine, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Mexico, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Belarus, Columbia, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, Chad, among many others.
That’s a big question with no easy answers. It depends on your goals, your native language, your mindset and other factors that can affect your progress. The whole topic of how long it takes to learn a language includes both guesswork and scientific research. With one-on-one academic counseling, our team can help you set a realistic time frame that fits you. To begin the conversation, the chart below gives a general idea of how long it usually takes for English learners to advance levels in our Intensive English Program.
Discover why Northampton, MA, is the perfect destination for international students in ILI’s Intensive English Programs (IEP). Northampton combines small-town charm with vibrant cultural and academic opportunities. From its welcoming community and lively arts scene to its connection with the renowned 5-College Consortium, Northampton offers the ideal environment to achieve English fluency and experience authentic…
How Janelle Rivers, a self-professed skeptic of remote learning, found herself pleasantly surprised by the unexpected benefits and potential on virtual education.
Thamires Mourão from Brazil Learned English on our Intensive English Program
