June 9-August 8, 2008

Academic English and Orientation

Designed for international students ready to begin their studies in U.S. universities, our program features:

• An introduction to the style, academic expectations, and culture of undergraduate and graduate classes in the U.S.
• Intensive work to refine your note taking, presentation, reading, and academic writing skills in English.
• A chance to observe and participate in UA classes without taking them for credit
• Getting acquainted with campus social services and housing

We must have a minimum number of students to run at least one section of the IUAP. If there are not enough students, IUAP applicants will be placed into the intensive English classes at the level indicated on the CESL placement test given upon arrival.

International students often discover that even though they have attained an excellent TOEFL score, they may not be fully prepared for the differences in the U.S. classroom style or professor expectation of student performance in the classroom and on written assignments. We can help! We are the Center for English as a Second Language, and as one of our former PreAcademic students says, we can help you start your studies with a feeling of familiarity and confidence. Get a "running start" at the university.

Why CESL?

CESL has been providing excellent academic preparation programs for 36 years. We are located in the heart of the UA campus, where you will enjoy full access to all UA facilities, including the Campus Health Center, Recreation Center, Library, and computer labs. You will also enjoy access to CESL's multimedia computer laboratory and join other CESL students in a full range of intercultural activities, and CESL is the only nationally accredited Intensive English Language Program in the state of Arizona.

Our faculty meet a minimum requirement of a Master's Degree in ESL, and key faculty possess doctorates. The faculty is experienced (averaging 20 years in the field), culturally sensitive, and eager to help you achieve your goals.

We have a simple application and admissions procedure.

1. Print the CESL application from our admissions page.
2. Complete the application and SIGN it.
3. Write a one-page letter including your major, undergrad or graduate status and your reasons for wanting to enroll in our program. Include your TOEFL score (an unofficial copy is acceptable) and a copy of the admission letter from your future university.
4. Mail your completed application, notarized financial guarantee, the application fee, your letter, TOEFL verification and your university admission letter to CESL at the address on the application.

As soon as we receive your application and fee, we will process the acceptance documents. We will mail the Form I-20 to the address on the application within 24 hours. Our application fee includes FedEx or express mail charges.

You will study 25 hours per week with us, in the following courses:

• Academic Writing: writing essays, research, and placement exams and stressing speed and efficiency in reading.
• Academic Oral Communications: advanced pronunciation individually tailored to your speech, note taking and presentation skills.
• US Academic Culture and Preparation: designed to provide information and practice in the skills being taught in classes.

We reserve the right to cancel any course if there is insufficient enrollment. Students who have applied for IUAP be given the option to enroll in a similar course at their level.

Optional Activities

• Visit UA classes in your area of interest
• Sharpen specific skills in our multimedia laboratory
• Participate in CESL activities to familiarize yourself with Tucson and southern Arizona
• Earn the CESL Director's or Global Citizen Awards

Benaz Batrawi, Palestine

In June 2002, Arizona was very hot and dry for someone like me who came from the Middle East. CESL had many students with different nationalities, but there were no other Palestinians except myself. In the beginning, I disagreed and argued a lot about why I should have a pre-academic course as my English language was considered very good. Later on, it surprised me that the Pre-Academic course offered more than English language skills.

In addition to the language skills such as writing, reading, TOEFL, and communication, we learned to do research on the web and use the library's computerized system. In addition, several guest speakers introduced the students to the US daily life, general culture, and academic expectations of a major university. The reading class was unique as it improved my reading and wrting skills dramatically. Dr. Elizabeth Winkler runs the class professionally and flexibly. She adds her personal and practical experience to the course content.

I think the pre-academic course is a necessity for all international students before they start studies in the United States or other English-speaking country.

Fausto Solis, Dominican Republic

The most significant things I learned in the pre-academic program included

• note taking techniques
• techniques for designing a good presentation
• participating in classroom discussion
• techniques for paraphrasing to avoid plagarism
• scientific reasearch in the libarary
• visiting university classes

Julien Adounkpe, Benin

I loved my pre-academic program. The part that had great influence on me was the Environmental unit in the reading class. Now, I pay attendtion to the quantity of water I am using, and I make an effort to not use unnecessary water. The unit on Education was also helpful to understand the variety of educational systems worldwide.

Making my own presentations helped improve my English. And, please continue to include the music class. Folk music relaxes the soul, and as international students the need to better understand US culture is great. Music helps us relax and understand.

All in all, I can say my pre-academic training is still helping me succeed in my academic studies.

Abdul Hadi, Indonesia

I really enjoyed my classes during the IUAP. I have never in my life been in a class where I felt so motivated to participate. Now, I can't imagine beginning my graduate study without the IUAP. It has made me both linguistically and psychologically prepared for graduate study. Graduate Study: Linguistics, University of Arizona

Emmanuel ASGUET

My IUAP experience CESL was great. First, it was a great opportunity to meet new people with different majors in so short time.Second, as a graduate student, I was pleased to take a class at the University of Arizona in order to know and understand the US educational system and be prepared for my academic year in my school. I would say that this was a rich part of the IUAP. Third, the guest lecturers who were invited to tell us about US culture, the univeristy rules as well as the safety on campus are still valuable to me. All the knowledge that I got from the IUAP and at CESL make me to feel so comfortable at my university as if I lived in the U.S. for a long time.Last but not least, the kindness of the teachers and especially the sense of humor of Dr Elizabeth Winkler were the most important things that I remember from my experience and I will keep them as a gift from my English experience. Thanks be to the IUAP and the English program at CESL; I am doing great now at my school, and I hope to get my master in Economics with flying colors.

Rene Zender, Switzerland

I definitely learned a lot during the IUAP. Can I quantify it and put it into nice words? No! There is just the feeling theat I learned a lot but I can't explain what. The non-language part of being a student in the USA was at least as helpful as learning the English language. Learning ahead of time about the organization of universities, students' duties and rights, places to find help, the cultural aspects of academic study saved me time when I began my graduate studies. During the IUAP I had time to think about whether I should eat salted or unsalted butter. What kind of laundry dtergent should I buy. Such simple questions suddenly became time consuming since I could find no brands here that I used back home. I believe that the IUAP at CESL is one of the best ways to start an education here in the USA. Graduate Study: Optical Science, University of Arizona

The Center for English as a Second Language
at The University of Arizona
P.O. Box 210024
1100 E. James E. Rogers Way
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0024
Tele: 1-520-621-1362  Fax: 1-520-621-9180
cesl@email.arizona.edu
www.skype.com "azcesl1"
© Arizona Board of Regents