ESL Programs at the Institute for Language Education

No matter your current English language level, the Intensive English Program at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) can offer you the help and support that you need to get the best education possible. This English as a Second Language (ESL) program is immersive and thorough: It will enable you to enter and complete academic programs not just at SNHU, but also at other universities and colleges throughout the United States.

The Intensive English Program includes:

• Courses offered at 3 main proficiency levels (beginning to advanced)
• 18 hours of instruction each week
  • 9 hours of core courses (literacy and fluency skills)
  • 6 hours of courses in a content area (psychology, marketing, etc.)
  • 3 hours of a multilevel elective (mix with students of different proficiency levels)
• Small class sizes (typically 10-14 students per class)
• Taught by experienced faculty who hold a master’s degree or higher
• Program is customized to students’ proficiency profile based on a placement assessment

The program will focus on several areas, including:

• Literacy: Read academic texts, practice skills (skimming, scanning, summarizing, paraphrasing), expand vocabulary; write organized paragraphs and essays; integrate ideas from sources, learn to avoid plagiarism
• Fluency: Listen to general and academic discourse, extract information, take effective notes; speak about academic topics, make presentations, participate in classroom discussions; practice English pronunciation patterns (stress, rhythm, intonation)
• Integrated skills: Develop your academic English and critical-thinking skills through speaking, reading and writing in popular course content in business and the arts and sciences
• Electives: Improve certain aspects of your English through your choice of course (workshops, seminars, TOEFL preparation)
• Experiential learning: Engage in field-based learning that enhances your understanding of course content (museums, tours, fairs)

Additional program benefits include:

• Full university privileges, including to the health center, library and athletics facilities
• Opportunity to live on campus alongside other SNHU students
• Eligibility to apply for conditional acceptance to a degree program
• 6 term starts per year

English as a Second Language Placement Guidelines

SNHU’s ESL courses are offered at 3 main proficiency levels: Basic (Level 1), Intermediate (Level 2) and Advanced (Level 3). Each SNHU level is aligned with Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels: Level 1 targets the skills of CEFR A2-A2+, Level 2 promotes CEFR B1-B1+ and Level 3 aims to produce CEFR B2-B2+ proficiency.

The duration of each level is 1 semester (2 terms). Below you will find guidelines on the equivalent scores for TOEFL iBT, IELTS and Duolingo for entry into each proficiency level of SNHU’s ESL program.

Applicants are not required to take an exam to enter SNHU’s ESL program but may choose to in order to estimate their level in advance of arrival.

These test score equivalencies are only estimates. Final placement will be determined upon arrival based on a placement exam and interview.

The length of the program for a student typically depends on the level you begin at:

• Level 3: 1 semester (2 terms)
• Level 2: 2 semesters (4 terms)
• Level 1: 3 semesters (6 terms)

Applicants with exam scores below the equivalent of SNHU’s Level 1 should be advised that it may take longer than 3 semesters (1 calendar year) to reach the language proficiency required to enter a degree program.

Learn more about ESL Program costs.

For international students who have been accepted into an undergraduate degree program at SNHU, Undergraduate Language Studies (ULS) is a pathway program that combines academic skills development, English language study and academic coursework to provide a scaffold of support for international students beginning their credit-bearing, undergraduate-level coursework. Students may enter ULS if they have a qualifying English Proficiency Test score. See our International Admission Requirements for more information.

While participating in the ULS program, students also enroll in one undergraduate academic course (two intensive courses during the Summer term). ULS meets in the Fall, Spring, and Summer (15-week) semesters. Students attend classes four times per week for a total of 180 hours per semester. ULS courses are capped at 12, and the minimum enrollment is five students. Grading follows the SNHU letter grade system and grades are solicited by and submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.

Courses within the ULS program highlight:

• Academic Writing and Research Skills: Explore and practice the process writing approach (brainstorming, clustering/mapping, free writing, and outlining), drafting, peer review, revising, and editing. The concepts of organization, development, unity, and coherence in writing paragraphs and essays are also emphasized.
• Critical Reading Skills: Engage in critical reading, vocabulary building, vocabulary pronunciation, note-taking techniques, and text organization and study skills. Develop a variety of strategies for understanding the reading, locating main ideas, inferring the author's intent, drawing conclusions, and distinguishing between facts and opinions. Students will also learn specific skills for note-taking, outlining, annotating, and summarizing.
• Grammar Skills: Develops grammatical accuracy in writing. Learn how to distinguish global errors (sentence structure, tense consistency, and cohesive devices) from local errors (pronoun reference, subject-verb agreement, word forms) in writing and categorize errors. Embrace new learning strategies, such as using available resources and peer collaboration to assist in developing greater accuracy and fluency. Become familiar with common feedback symbols and abbreviations used by college instructors.
• Intercultural Communication Skills: Effective intercultural communication strategies prepare students to live or work in other countries, gain respect for one another, and gain confidence in their English language speaking skills. By recognizing that different groups of people solve common problems in different ways, student come to value their differences and learn new approaches. Includes pronunciation practice to help international students communicate more smoothly as well as further build upon existing writing skills. Engage in role-play and learn about group interaction among cultures.

Additional ULS program benefits include:

• Full university privileges (health center, library, athletic facilities, etc.)
• ULS students can apply to live in residence halls on campus
• Students can apply for conditional admission to a degree program

Learn more about Undergraduate Language Studies costs.

Spend your summer in the United States visiting famous New Hampshire and Massachusetts landmarks, learning about American culture, attending university events, and engaging in American sports.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience the history and culture of New England. You’ll enjoy playing American sports on campus and visit famous cities like Portsmouth and Boston. You’ll live in a campus residence hall with other program participants. Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7 are free days in Session 1. Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 are free days in Session 2.

Session 1: June 29-July 12, 2024 (two weeks)

• registration deadline: March 1, 2024 for participants with B visa and May 1, 2024 for participants with a valid ESTA.

Session 2: July 20-August 2, 2024 (two weeks)

•  registration deadline: April 1, 2024 for participants with B visa and May 31, 2024 for participants with a valid ESTA.

*Participants will buy their own meals during the field trips and free days – estimate $400.

*Please clarify the total cost with your local trip organizer as various home institutions recruit the groups following their own procedures. As a result, extra cost may occur.

Complimentary Services: free parking, free wireless internet, meet & greet by a member of our friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a highly trained on-campus Public Safety staff.

This program is only opened to established groups and is not available for individual students. Eligible students who are part of a partner group should see their coordinator for an application. If you have a group interested in attending, please contact s.yan@snhu.edu or l.glenn1@snhu.edu for more information.