Intensive Language Learning Program (ILP)

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Intensive Language Learning Program (ILP) is an in-class instructional intensive English language diploma designed to generally assist international students who are non-native speakers to improve all English language skills they need to succeed in their academic, professional, and social endeavors. The program also helps students who seek improvement to their English communicative skills. Our language program offers English courses that are not only relevant to students’ needs but are also carefully designed based on contemporary research, especially in the field of teaching English as a second language (TESOL). The selected teaching methods and materials are the finest in the TESOL field and are blended to effectively help students achieve their language learning objectives.

The program promotes four key values: excellence, proficiency, diversity, and objectivity. These values are set not only for the students but also for our instructors and staff. Through our carefully designed curriculum, teaching methodologies, personalized services, well-equipped facilities, and highly qualified instructors, we assure that students will meet their personal and educational goals, while flawlessly adapting to the American culture.

MISSION STATEMENT

The ILP strives to provide English language training and to deliver cross-cultural education for international students. We exert strenuous efforts toward excellence and endeavor to understand and appreciate our students’ language and cultural differences. Therefore, we work hard to enhance their aptitude to function effectively across diverse cultures. We also encourage language acquisition and personal progress of students in an effective and family-friendly learning environment.

PROGRAM ACADEMICS

The ILP focuses on academic reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar as well as providing exposure to the American culture. With our interactive class instruction methodology, integration of technology, and highly qualified instructors, students will engage in various individual and group activities to learn and practice English in learning modes similar to those used in academic and professional, and everyday settings. Upon completion of the highest levels of the ILP, students can register for any of our preparation courses that assist them to get an academic admission.

To ensure that prospective students are able to meet their academic and professional goals, they must hold high school diploma or equivalent prior to registering to the ILP New students are also required to take a placement test in order to be assigned for a course level corresponding to their language proficiency. Class attendance is required through all classes because attendance is vitally important for an effective learning process. In addition, international students must maintain visa status by following student visa rules, including strict attendance rules. According to immigration laws and regulations, international students must attend at least 75% of all classes, complete all coursework, and make reasonable academic progress. International students are only allowed a maximum of 6 unexcused absences per session. Unexcused absences will also have a negative impact on students’ final grades. To consider an absence as excused, students must provide official documentation, such as doctor’s note or the like. Students must be on time for classes, unless there is a severe weather condition, e.g., snowstorm, otherwise, they will be considered late if they arrive 6 minutes after the class commences. Students arriving 30 minutes late may not be permitted into the class until after the break. Also, being late 3 times equals 1 absence. Tardiness and absence will affect the attendance/participation grade, and the visa status, if applicable. International students with 4 unexcused absences will receive a warning letter from the school, and any further absences could cause the student to be put on probation for two to four months or be put out of status and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be notified. Violation of any regulation of the United States Department of Homeland Security will also result in the loss of student visa status and subject the student to deportation.

Courses of the ILP do not count toward graduation in any degree program, though diploma certificates and transcripts are issued to students upon request. Students will receive a letter grade after the completion of each course. Grades will be used to determine students’ performance and eligibility of advancement to the subsequent course level (see Table 1). Students must achieve an overall average grade of more than 75% for the course total points in order to be promoted to the following course. The overall grade average percentage is the accumulative score of the students’ class assignments, mid-term, and final exams. Oral and listening abilities of the students are assessed through class participation and/or oral presentations. Besides, students must show a satisfactory level of proficiency in the four English skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking), or they may not pass.

It is likely that some students will repeat a class giving the complexity of learning a new language. Repeating a class does not necessarily signify failure and carries no penalties, except for retaking the course, providing that the student tries to make academic progress during each session. According to USCIS regulations, international students who show slight or no academic progress may be considered as out of status. Failing the same level twice (2 times) would lead to dismissal of the program.

Program Structure/Course Sequence

Placement tests are required after registering for the ILP Students start with a course sequence based on their placement test score. As students have successfully fulfilled the coursework requirements of their current level, they pass to the following level in the sequence. To ensure that students are fully prepared for the next level, they generally follow the sequence of the courses. However, some exceptions to the course sequence can be made should the student has demonstrated mastery of skills required for the intended level. Exceptions to the course sequence can only be made at the discretion of the program director.

Once students complete the intermediate or advanced levels, they qualify to register for any of the elective courses. For the test preparation courses, a pool of practice questions and full simulated exams are infused to replicate the official testing setting and assist students to attain higher scores in the actual exam. Elective courses are contingent on course availability and sufficient enrollment.

Length of Program

The ILP offers six instructional terms each year; each term is eight weeks long except the summer term, which runs for four weeks only. Students are not required to attend the five levels to successfully complete the ILP.

Hours of Study

The ILP classes meet five days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for in-class instruction and activities, while Friday is generally designated for learning through gaming and extracurricular activities. Students attend 5 hours of class instruction on Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, students must attend 3 hours during which they are engaged in objective gaming and/or applied grammar activities. Furthermore, students are offered field trips and involvement in diverse public community events to enrich their communication and social skills.

School/Classroom Rules

Any student who violates any of the program’s rules and policies will receive a warning letter from the program director; a copy of the warning letter will be saved in the student’s file. However, if violations become severe, the student will be dismissed from the program and his/her student visa will be put out of status.

Students are also expected to treat each other, as well as the teacher, with respect both inside and outside the classroom. Any student who violates this will be asked to leave the classroom and/or receive a misconduct warning. Students are required to speak only in English in the classroom and are strongly encouraged to do so during breaks. Any student who speaks other than English in the classroom will be given a warning for violating the English-Only policy. If required, students may ask for a translator from Davis College’s Students Services.

Extracurricular Activities

Field trips and picnics will maybe be held during some Fridays or weekends for students who are interested to participate. Such activities usually last about two to three hours. One or two teachers or staff members would lead the group. Various social events can also be hosted, either at the school or in nearby locations. Students are encouraged to take advantage of all offered extracurricular activities to apply their language skills while experiencing the American culture. Students may have to pay a marginal fee for transportation and admission tickets.

Transcript/Certificate of Completion

Transcripts are given to the students after they complete any level in the ILP If requested, certificates of completion can be issued to students who have successfully completed any level of the program. Processing requests for transcripts or certificates of completion can take up to one business week. Upon completing level 5 of the program, the student will be awarded their program diploma and may attend the graduation ceremony at the end of the academic year.

Faculty Credentials

Our faculty members are dynamic, experienced, and highly professional. They have a passion to teach English for non-native speakers while being culturally sensitive, compassionate, and student-centered. They love to work with international students and have constructive interactions with them. Our instructors’ ultimate goal is to help the students reach their academic goals as well as to make a positive impact on their language learning experience.

General Tips to Our Students

Language acquisition is affected by numerous factors, including:

• The motivation of the student to experiment with the language;
• Student’s self-confidence;
• Language exposure to native speakers;
• Emphasis on language accuracy and not only proficiency; and
• A range of vocabulary acquired by the student.

We highly urge the students to actively participate in various reinforcement activities. We strongly believe that these activities are vitally important so the students can apply new language skills in authentic settings. Such activities provide a challenge to students, especially those who are reluctant to participate in class. Various workbooks activities are also part of the ILP extracellular activities to enrich the students’ applied knowledge.

In addition, students are encouraged to spend some time after school speaking ONLY IN ENGLISH with their classmates, especially students who do not speak their language. Students should also attend the school’s field trips, fairs, and picnics, and get to know students from other classes. It is also recommended to seek a weekend conversation exchange partner and visit local attractions in the area, such as museums, outdoor exhibitions, concert halls, theaters, and sporting arenas. Some of these attractions are free or inexpensive. Students may speak with the Program Director Student Services Coordinator to inquire about available social or recreational activities.

Students are highly encouraged to make full use of the student library and enjoy reading in the student lounge. If a student would like to borrow a book, he/she can speak with the librarian for more details. Students should keep the lounge and all other premise areas clean, hazard-free, and reasonably quiet. Students should also refrain from opening the emergency exits and rather use the doors designated for exiting the building.

STUDENT HOUSING

Upon request and availability, students can be assigned to a homestay. This will help the students experience living with an American family and maximize their English language exposure. This service will also give the students more exposure to practice their English skills in actual settings. There is a fee for the housing placement service, which is on first come first served basis. According to American Homestay Network, the cost of homestay host in Toledo can run between $650 and $1,100 a month per student, depending on accommodation type, location, meals, transportation, etc.

We also have housing partners that offer apartments in the Toledo area relatively close to Davis College. Apartment rent varies based on different criteria, such as the number of bedrooms, amenities, type of housing, etc. Some landlords offer a month-to-month lease for additional fees. For more information about our homestay and housing services, please contact the student advisor or the front desk personnel.