The Intensive English Program at Rice is open to non-native speakers of English who have a serious desire to improve their language skills. Classes are small, with an average of ten students, and are offered at all levels, from beginning to advanced. Students from more than 40 countries attend this program, which has been offered since 1978. The Intensive English Program at Rice offers a six-level core program.
Students build practical English skills for general, academic or professional purposes.
Instruction in Levels 1-4 includes practical vocabulary, basic language patterns, and the essentials of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Conversational skills are developed in an interactive setting. In Levels 5-6 students continue to develop fluency and accuracy in the basic skill areas. Students enroll in a core class and also a course that enables them to expand their skills in academic or non-academic areas. The Advanced Level is for students whose proficiency is beyond the six-level core program.