Innovative programming, outstanding academic, immigration, and support services, and engaging cultural experiences have consistently made the International English Center (IEC) one of the top destinations for English language study in the United States. Established in 1975, the IEC provides high-quality English language training and cultural programming for youth, high school, pre-collegiate, pre-graduate, and degree students, working professionals, and members of the Boulder community. Programs integrate cutting-edge teaching practices and experiential learning. Courses are offered in traditional, hybrid, and online formats. The IEC is a proud member of UCIEP, a U.S. consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs known for its high professional standards and quality English language instruction.

The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. Founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state, it is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system. CU Boulder is a member of the Association of American Universities, a selective group of major research universities in North America, and is classified among R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity. In 2021, the university attracted support of over $634 million for research and spent $536 million on research and development according to the National Science Foundation, ranking it 50th in the nation.

The university consists of nine colleges and schools and offers over 150 academic programs, enrolling more than 35,000 students as of January 2022.  To date, 5 Nobel Prize laureates, 10 Pulitzer Prize winners, 11 MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipients, 1 Turing Award laureate, and 20 astronauts have been affiliated with CU Boulder as alumni, researchers, or faculty. In 2021, the university received over $634 million in sponsored research to fund programs like the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and JILA. CU Boulder has been called a Public Ivy, a group of publicly funded universities considered to provide a quality of education comparable to those of the Ivy League. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in 17 varsity sports and are members of the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The Buffaloes have won 28 national championships: 20 in skiing, seven total in men's and women's cross country, and one in football. The university has produced 10 Olympic medalists. Over 1,000 students participate in over 34 intercollegiate club sports annual

The Intensive English Program is designed for international students who are preparing to enter a university or graduate program in the U.S. It is also appropriate for working professionals and community members who want to improve their academic English. Students take writing, reading, listening and speaking, and elective courses. Classes are interactive and allow students to develop their language skills while practicing English in real situations. Class size is 12-15 students on average. Teachers provide students extensive feedback, which helps students to improve their English and build their confidence.

Writing

This course provides students with the skills needed for effective academic writing. The writing process is emphasized, with a particular focus on paragraph and essay development, as well as error correction. Students gain practice in writing clear, concise, well-supported, and accurate communication using summary writing, paraphrasing, quoting, and synthesis. Reading materials provide a basis for developing ideas and models for writing.

Listening and Speaking

This course helps students improve their oral communication skills in various social and academic settings. Students develop their conversation skills through role-plays, discussions, and vocabulary-building exercises. Lectures, debates, and formal discussions enable students to improve their note-taking skills, listening comprehension, and critical thinking. Oral presentations allow students to develop public speaking skills, effective body language, and pronunciation.

Reading

This course is designed to assist students in becoming more confident and proficient readers in English. Students explore a variety of reading genres, including newspaper and magazine articles, websites, short stories, novels, university textbooks, and other non-fiction books. Reading skills, such as predicting, skimming, scanning, reading for details, vocabulary-building, inferencing, summarizing, and critical thinking are emphasized. Classroom discussions and exercises allow students to share and discuss their ideas about texts.