ESL Programs at The University of Iowa consists of three programs:

Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP)

The IIEP provides instruction for students not admitted to the University, most of whom do not meet the University’s TOEFL requirement for admission.  Grammar and the basic language skills of writing, reading, listening comprehension, pronunciation, and speaking are taught each day at all levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced).  Each student receives twenty hours of classroom instruction each week, in addition to field trips and cultural and social experiences.  The IIEP is staffed by faculty in ESL Programs.

ESL Credit Program

Courses in this program are designed to serve regular University students who need additional work in English, based on a placement test given when they begin their first semester.  Courses are offered to increase proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, listening comprehension, pronunciation and grammar.  Courses are taught by Teaching Assistants in the Department of Linguistics and Lecturers in ESL Programs.  Each course grants three hours of credit, which is counted toward graduation.

Teaching Assistants Preparation in English (TAPE)

The TAPE program provides English-language instruction for prospective TAs from all units of the University.  Courses in pronunciation, fluency and presentation are designed to increase overall communicative competency, concentrating on the components of intelligibility, fluency, interactional clarity, and cultural cues.  TAPE is staffed by faculty in ESL Programs.