What is an Intensive English Program, and how is it different from regular English classes?
An Intensive English Program (IEP) is a full-immersion English course designed to help students improve their English skills quickly. Unlike regular part-time classes, an IEP involves several hours of instruction per day, five days a week, creating a focused and immersive learning environment.
At ILI, our Intensive English Program helps students advance in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while also gaining cultural understanding. Classes are interactive and student-centered, with an emphasis on real-world communication.
To reach your personal goals, an IEP demands a commitment of time and passion. Like exercising at the gym, studying English in an IEP gives greater rewards with greater effort.
How long is an Intensive English Program?
First, we’ll look at specific numbers. Then we’ll discuss general concepts.
A typical Intensive English course in the USA runs five days a week, Monday through Friday. Most IEPs consist of 18 hours of class time per week or more. The intensive English program for international students may clock 21 weekly hours. Some schools offer evening or weekend ESL classes to accommodate the diverse scheduling needs of adult students.
How does the 18+ hours get divided up?
If you’re an international student on an F-1 Visa, your schedule may be Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with an hour-long lunch break at noon and Friday afternoons off. That means most days of your intensive English course have 4.5 hours of classroom time on-site with instructors and classmates.
It is common for English language schools to run monthly sessions. New students join the ongoing Intensive English course at the beginning of every month. Meanwhile, returning students can continue smoothly month after month, improving their English and staying for as long as three years. Some schools also offer semester-long sessions with fixed start dates, similar to a university schedule.
What should I expect from a typical day in an Intensive English Program?
At ILI, you’ll spend several hours a day immersed in English, with:
Engaging lessons that include speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Small group activities to practice real-life conversations.
Cultural and social events to help you use English in fun, everyday situations.
Supportive teachers and classmates who encourage your progress.
Each day is designed to help you feel more comfortable and confident in English—in a friendly and welcoming environment!
How long does it take to see progress in an Intensive English Program?
That depends on your starting level, study habits, and how much you practice! Many students see noticeable improvement in just a few weeks.
It’s also your attitude that puts the “Intensive” in an Intensive English Program for international students.
At ILI, students typically advance one CEFR level (such as A2 to B1) in about three months of full-time study. However, progress varies—some students improve faster, especially if they immerse themselves in English outside of class too!
What does full immersion mean in the context of learning English?
IEP students Edwin and Sotaro, sitting on a porch with host, Sydney, in Northampton.
Full immersion English learning means listening, reading, writing, and speaking English all day, every day, everywhere!
It means immersing yourself in the language and culture by attending social, arts, and sports events in the evenings and on weekends. It means using English not just in class, but after class—reading online articles, watching TV shows or movies, and making small talk with new acquaintances in English.
The ideal way to study English in the USA is to live with a host family. Living with a host family exposes you to the natural English of daily life, 24/7. You can hear relaxed pronunciation, different regional accents, and idioms that you might not find in books or online.
In a host family, you get to know native speakers, share meals, and explore the local community together—helping you learn English even faster.
Who are Intensive English courses designed for?
Intensive English programs are designed for adults with personal or professional goals related to English who need to make progress at a predictable rate.
You could fit into one of these categories, but equally, you might not!
International students preparing for university
Professionals improving their English for work (including teachers of English whose first language is not English)
Newcomers, refugees, and immigrants adjusting to life in the U.S.
Travelers and language lovers who want full English immersion
Many intensive English learning programs mix students from all these groups, allowing college students, business professionals, and international travelers to connect and learn together. We certainly do, and our classes are richer for it.
Most IEP students at ILI range from Beginner (A1/A2) to Intermediate (B1/B2), as defined by the six CEFR levels.
How to get the most out of an Intensive English Program
An Intensive English program is well-suited to students who can commit to using English 24/7 for at least a month – so in an immersion scenario.
As an IEP student, you’re expected to use English in class all day and continue practicing at home and in daily life. If you have major family or work commitments, a part-time ESL class or private English lessons may be a better option.
Can I join an Intensive English Program if I’m a complete beginner?
Yes! ILI welcomes students at all levels, including complete beginners. If you know only a few English words, that’s okay—we’ll help you build from there!
However, if you don’t yet know the alphabet or basic phrases, we may recommend private English lessons first to help you get started before joining a group class.
Is an Intensive English program suitable if I’m going to university in the US?
IEP students working on a TOEFL prep activity.
To be accepted to study at college, you might already have achieved 85 on the TOEFL iBT or a 6 on the IELTS. Those are strong scores, equivalent to B2 (Upper Intermediate).
An intensive English program can help you get ready for the academic and cultural challenges of a U.S. university. The kind of program we’re discussing here will help you to:
Keep up with fast-paced academic discussions
Writing 5-10 page research papers confidently
Know how to navigate a U.S. university system and access key resources
An IEP will also help to improve your skills around:
Classroom collaboration and independent research
Academic writing skills
Speaking, presenting and debating
Cultural norms and university expectations
In short, a summer intensive English program before college can make your first semester much easier as an international student, and help you feel 100% part of college life.
What kind of visa do I need to study in an Intensive English Program in the USA?
If you’re coming from outside the U.S., you may need an F-1 Student Visa to enroll in a full-time Intensive English Program. ILI does not currently issue I-20s for student visas, but we welcome international students who already have the proper visa.
If you’re already in the U.S., you can often join our program short-term on a tourist visa, work visa, or permanent resident status. Contact us, and we’ll help you figure out what’s best for you!
Will I get a certificate after completing the program?
Yes! When you complete ILI’s Intensive English Program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion.
This certificate shows your progress and achievement and can be helpful for:
University applications.
Job applications & career advancement.
Personal motivation and language learning goals!
IEP Program Cost and Funding
The cost of an intensive English program depends on the school, program length, and location. At ILI, we strive to make English learning accessible by offering:
Competitive tuition rates
Scholarships for eligible students
Flexible payment plans
Student Testimonials
Many of our students have transformed their English skills through ILI’s intensive English program. Here’s what they say:
“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
studied English on our Intensive English Program
“My purpose in attending IEP classes was to prepare for the MS in Engineering Management and MBA dual degree program. Even in a short period of 2 months, I got incredible results from the lessons. My improvement in speaking academically increased my self-confidence in my master’s degree, which is very important for academic success. In academic writing, I see that my sentence and vocabulary has become much richer compared to before. With these, my reading and listening skills have already improved automatically, which are indispensable in both academic and business life.”
Ayça
from Turkey studied English at ILI
Ready to Start Your Intensive English Journey?
If you’re looking for English courses in Massachusetts that offer high-quality instruction, personalized support, and a welcoming community, ILI’s Intensive English Program is the perfect choice.
While you book your Intensive English course improve your language skills by reading our free English articles or watching our free English lesson videos.
Bringing decades of passion as educators, at the International Language Institute of Massachusetts we believe in open access to education for language learners around the world, regardless of race, religion, gender identification, physical and mental abilities, economic standing, documentation status, and educational levels.
Thamires Mourão from Brazil studied English on our Intensive English Program