The IEI summer program offers students additional structured opportunities to practice their English outside of the classroom. Core courses are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. We encourage all of our students to take advantage of the additional program activities offered on Wednesdays and throughout the week.  Optional supplemental programs include:

ConvoPartners
The IEI’s Conversation Partners program matches IEI students with U of I students, staff, faculty, and community members interested in meeting students from other countries. Students can sign up for the program during registration and orientation week. The IEI matches 1-2 IEI students with one Conversation (“Convo”) Partner for weekly 1-hour meetings. Learn more about Convo Partners here.

Vocabulary Club
The IEI offers a weekly, 1-hour Vocabulary Club on Wednesdays. This is free and available to students at all levels. Students focus on reinforcing curricular vocabulary and learning new idiomatic expressions through interactive activities and games.

TOEFL/IELTS Prep Study Group
The IEI hosts a weekly, 1-hour TOEFL/IELTS preparation study group on Wednesdays. Students preparing to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams can meet and work together on practice activities, vocabulary, and giving and receiving feedback.

Volunteer Activities
The IEI Cultural Engagement Coordinator arranges for campus and community volunteer activities open to all students. This includes working with various charity organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, the Center for Women in Transition, and local food banks.

Campus and Community Events
Each week, the IEI offers at least one planned event on campus or in the community for IEI students, to include: festivals, theatrical performances, sporting events, tours, game nights, and movies.

Learn more about upcoming IEI activities here.