The ISBE Intensive English Program is open to non-native speakers of English who have a serious desire to improve their language skills. This challenging ESL program is useful to working professionals and to students preparing for university study or professional programs.

Our Objectives

The English as a Second Language Program at ISBE Campus provides intensive, academic English language learning for students whose native language is not English. Our ESL Program prepares students to enroll in Adult Vocational Training Institute, Junior or a university degree program.

The ESL Program focuses on the academic skills encountered in university classrooms, as well as adjustment to and understanding of U.S. culture. The program requires approximately 20 hours of instruction each week including classes and computer lab work. Students are expected to complete at least 10 additional hours of home assignments each week.

Admission and Placement

The ESL Program is designed for students who:

1. have completed a high school diploma or its equivalent in their home country or the U.S.
2. are preparing to enter a U.S. university; and
3. who have no TOEFL score or whose TOEFL score falls below 500. Additionally, Resident Alien students (holders of "green cards"), who have completed high school in a language other than English, may also be admitted into the ESL Program.

Students accepted into the ESL Program are tested for placement in one of three levels: beginning, intermediate and advanced. The ESL Placement Examination is administered on or before the first day of class.

Program Completion /Level of Advancement

Many students start their course work at the Beginning level. Students completion of each level of ESL Program with earning grade of a "C" grade or above in in courses will advance to intermediate and advanced levels.