FAQ

Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

 

 

1. When do I have classes?
Classes are scheduled Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, between 9:00 A.M.  and 5:00 P.M. for a total of 20 contact hours per week. Students cannot pick their class schedule. Schedules are distributed during Registration and Orientation. There are no classes on Wednesdays.
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2.  Can I take more classes?
All students enrolled full-time in the summer program attend classes 20 hours per week. Full-time students cannot take additional classes.
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3. What if I only want to study part-time?

  • F-1 visas must study full time
  • J -1 visas can only take one class
  • F-2 visas can take two or three classes
  • J-2 visas can take two or three classes or full time

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4. Who are the other students in the program?
Participants in the IEI summer program come from many different countries and backgrounds. Many students are preparing for undergraduate or graduate study starting in the fall semester at UIUC or other universities around the US. Other students are business professionals or other family members of UIUC faculty and students.
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5. Why don’t we have classes on Wednesdays?
The IEI wants to encourage students to engage in meaningful co-curricular activities or self-study outside of the classroom. On Wednesdays, students may go on local field trips, participate in study clubs, or work on homework. In the past, many learners preparing for university entrance exams missed class during the summer. We want to encourage all learners to attend regularly scheduled classes and use Wednesdays for additional language study which is meaningful to them.
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6. What level of proficiency will I achieve after one full summer session?
By spending adequate time outside of class on homework, by meeting with your language conversation partner, and by participating in co-curricular activities, a significant amount of progress is expected. Individual progress will depend on a variety of factors: your effort, hours of homework completed, language background, facility with learning languages, etc. If you have further questions about progress, levels, or proficiency, please contact: iei@illinois.edu.
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7. If I am a continuing IEI student and I take classes in the summer, will I move up to the next level in the fall?
The fall and spring semesters are not equivalent to the IEI’s summer program. The fall and spring semesters have 276 total instructional hours and 263 hours of optional co-curricular activities, whereas the summer session has 164 total instructional hours and 72 hours of co-curricular activities. By spending adequate time outside of class on homework, by meeting with your language conversation partner, and by participating in co-curricular activities, a significant amount of progress is expected.

Every student enrolled in IEI summer program will take an end of course proficiency test which measures current proficiency levels. For returners, these test results will also be used for fall placement. Individual progress will depend on a variety of factors: your effort, hours of homework completed, language background, facility with learning languages, etc. Some returning IEI students will move up to the next level in the fall semester based on proficiency test results. Some returning learners will be placed in an equivalent level from summer to fall. If you have further questions about progress, levels, or proficiency, please contact: iei@illinois.edu.
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8. In addition to classes, what other opportunities will I have to practice English?
The IEI offers a variety of academic and cross-cultural programming during the summer. Students can take advantage of the IEI Conversation Partners Program, Wednesday study clubs, field trips, and local community events. The more you participate in these events, the more opportunities you will have to use your English. Learn more about the summer activities here.
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9. How much homework will I have every night?
The IEI’s summer program offers a rigorous academic learning experience. Most students attend classes 4-6 hours per day, and complete 2-4 hours of homework each evening. For upper-level academic courses, students will spend additional time out of class preparing written assignments and organizing the annual student-led IEI B.E.S.T. Conference.
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10. What is the end of course proficiency test?
Every student enrolled in IEI summer program will take an end of course proficiency test during the last week of class. This test measures current proficiency levels. These results will tell you your overall English proficiency level.  For returners, these test results will also be used for fall placement.
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11. Do I have to take the end of course proficiency test?
Yes. Every student is required to take the proficiency test.
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12. Do I have to take the end of course proficiency test even if I am not returning to the IEI in the fall?
Yes. The end of course proficiency test will be used to tell you your overall proficiency and that overall proficiency rating will be sent to you with your final grade report. The test is also used to ensure that the IEI curriculum is rigorous and is helping our students improve their English proficiency.
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13. What if I miss the end of course proficiency test and I am returning to the IEI in the fall?
If you missed the end of course proficiency test and you are returning to the IEI in the fall, your placement recommendation from the spring will be used to place you in the fall. If you do not have a placement recommendation from the spring or you think you should move to a higher level, you will need to take the placement test during Registration and Orientation week. Please contact the IEI to get more information about the fall placement test dates:  iei@illinois.edu.
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Summer 2016