Q & A
Questions and Answers
Students and Learning
Who can apply to the IECP?
How many courses will I take?
What kinds of courses will I take?
How will I know which courses to take?
What is a typical day of classes like?
How big are the classes, and who will my classmates be?
Will I use computers as a part of my study?
What will be expected of me if I become an IECP student?
Can I take IECP courses part time?
Health and Safety
Do I need to have health insurance?
What if I get sick?
Is Penn State a safe place?
Enrollment and Costs
When can I begin the IECP program, and how long can I study?
When is the application deadline?
What does the IECP tuition include?
What does the IECP tuition NOT include?
How can I pay?
When is my tuition payment due?
Instructors
Evaluations
How will I be evaluated?
How will the IECP courses help prepare me for the TOEFL test?
Life at Penn State
Where will I live as an IECP student?
Do IECP students have the opportunity to meet and get to know Americans?
Will I be able to use Penn State services and facilities?
Can I take other courses at Penn State?
Where is Penn State?
How can I find more information about daycare and enrolling my child in school?
How to find religious organizations, student groups, and other groups
Students and Learning
Who can apply to the IECP English language school?
You can apply to the IECP if you:
- are a nonnative speaker of English, with at least a basic level of English proficiency.
- want to improve your English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for educational, professional, or personal reasons.
- have a high school diploma.
How many courses will I take?
As a full-time student, you will take four courses. If you have an F-1 visa, you must be full time and will have class about 20 hours per week in the Fall and Spring, and 30 hours of classes in Summer.
If you have a different visa or resident status, you may enroll part time for 10 to 15 hours of class time per week. You will take two or three courses per semester.
What kinds of courses will I take?
- Speaking and listening focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills in both academic and social contexts.
- Grammar focuses on the grammar of basic to complex sentence structures in written and oral form.
- Reading focuses on development and reading comprehension.
- Writing focuses on the writing process, from producing clear and gramatically correct sentences to well-developed academic essays.
How will I know which courses to take?
The IECP has four levels. At the beginning of each term, new students complete a multiple choice placement test and writing sample. Based on the results of these tests, each student is placed in the appropriate level and takes the courses offered in that level.
Level 1 is for high-beginner students.
Level 2 is for intermediate students.
Level 3 is for high-intermediate students.
Level 4 is for advanced students.
What is a typical day of classes like?
Fall and spring class schedules:
Morning- 8:30 to 10:20 and 10:35 to 12:25
Afternoon- 1:40 to 3:30 and 3:45 to 5:35
Summer class schedule:
Morning- 8:30 to 11:30
Afternoon- 1:00 to 4:00
How big are the classes, and who will my classmates be?
The IECP classes usually have from 8 to 14 students from a variety of countries and language backgrounds.
Will I use computers as a part of my study?
Yes. The IECP has its own computer lab where students have access to e-mail and the Internet. In addition, many classes use computer-based activities to help students improve their English. IECP students may also use all other student computer labs on campus.
What will be expected of me if I become an IECP student?
To be successful, IECP students must:
- arrive for class on time.
- attend class regularly.
- study outside of class.
- do all homework/assignments and turn them in on time.
- be prepared for quizzes, tests, presentations, etc.
- contribute positively to the work of the class.
- contact instructors about missed work and assignments if they miss a class.
- assume responsibility for their own learning – for example, ask instructors for help when they need it and learn from what other successful students do.
- always treat other students and faculty with respect.
- carefully read the IECP Handbook, and ask faculty or staff if they have questions about it.
- follow all of the IECP and Penn State rules and policies.
Can I take IECP courses part time?
Yes, under certain conditions. See the information on enrolling as a part-time-student.
top F1 visa holders or students must study full time.
Health and Safety
Do I need to have health insurance?
Yes. ALL international students are required to have health insurance for themselves,their spouses, and their children. You can buy it from the Student Insurance Office when you arrive or you may bring your own insurance if it is pre-approved by Penn State.
What if I get sick?
Students who purchase the Penn State health insurance can use the University Health Services.
Students with other insurance plans THAT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED by the Student Health Insurance office will be responsible for finding a primary care physician in the State College area.
Is Penn State a safe place?
According to Sperling's Best Places survey, State College has the least amount of crime compared to all other cities of its size in the United States.
Enrollment and Costs
When can I begin the IECP program, and how long can I study?
The IECP has programs that run for three semesters:
- the fall semester, usually from mid-August to mid-December
- the spring semester, usually from early January to late April
- the summer semester, usually from mid-May to late July
The fall and spring semesters correspond with the University Calendar. Students can start their courses at the beginning of any semester. While some students plan to study for only one or two terms, those who start with Level 1 normally choose to stay for the four semesters it takes them to complete the highest level.
When is the application deadline?
The IECP accepts applications at any time; however, applicants who need a student visa must apply at least six weeks before they want to begin studying at the IECP.
What does the IECP tuition include?
Tuition includes:
- 20 hours of instruction per week.
- new-student orientation.
- some social/cultural activities.
- information about how to apply to universities or colleges.
- access to most University facilities.
- visa advising by Penn State's Global Programs Office.
- penn state email
What does the IECP tuition NOT include?
Tuition does NOT include:
- housing
- food
- books
- University health insurance
How can I pay?
The IECP accepts tuition payments by:
- advanced wire transfers (contact the IECP for more information).
- checks drawn from a U.S. bank made payable to Penn State University.
- credit cards (MasterCard or VISA only).
Note: The Student Insurance Office accepts payment by credit card for student health insurance; however, Penn State does not accept credit cards as payment for dormitory rooms and/or food.
When is my tuition payment due?
All tuition is due during New Student Week, at registration.
Instructors
Who will my instructors be?
Most IECP instructors:
- have graduate degrees in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or a related field.
- have lived in other countries and learned other languages themselves.
- are highly experienced in cross-cultural learning.
- understand the cultural adjustments the students have to make.
- are active in professional development.
- attend professional conferences to learn about what is new in the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Evaluations
How will I be evaluated?
Instructors evaluate students in a variety of ways during the semester or summer session, including exams, essays, various assignments, and presentations. At the end of the term, each student receives a grade for each course, as well as written comments from each instructor.
How will the IECP courses help prepare me for the TOEFL test?
Many IECP classes focus on language skills and test-taking techniques that help students succeed on the TOEFL.
Students may be able to take a TOEFL preparation course at the IECP for an additional fee.
At the end of each term, the IECP offers an institutional paper-based TOEFL at no charge. In addition, IECP students can take up to two additional institutional paper-based TOEFL tests during each semester for a fee. All of the institutional TOEFL tests scores are accepted by Penn State.
Life at Penn State
Where will I live as an IECP student?
Students can choose to live in Penn State dormitories or in apartments off campus. The IECP does not arrange housing for students, but the IECP can provide information to assist you in making your own arrangements.
If students choose a dormitory, they must send in the printable request form for a residence hall contract as soon as possible. Their space will not be reserved until the University receives the contract and the required deposit. If you choose to live off campus, the IECP can give guidance on how to find an apartment.
Do IECP students have the opportunity to meet and get to know Americans?
Yes. The program works with various groups and programs to help IECP students meet and interact with Americans. Global Connections is a community non-profit organization, affiliated with Penn State and the Centre County United Way with a long-standing tradition of promoting international cultural exchange in Centre County.
Will I be able to use Penn State services and facilities?
Yes. IECP students may use University facilities such as libraries, computer labs, the health care center, and, for a fee, recreation and sports facilities.
Can I take other courses at Penn State?
Only students who have competed Level 4 and for various reasons choose to remain in the IECP may, with the permission of the director, repeat two Level 4 courses and take two Penn State nondegree courses. No IECP student may take nondegree courses without the director's permission.
Where is Penn State?
How can I find more information about daycare and enrolling my child in school?
You can find out more information about child care and enrolling your child in school by visiting the following websites:
State College Area Child Care Facilities Guide provides updated information about child care facilities for younger children thoughout State College and the surrounding communities.
Child Development and Family Council of Centre County, Inc.
2565 Park Center Boulevard
State College PA 16801
Phone: 814-238-5480
www.cdfc.org
How to Enroll Your Child in School
State College Area School District enrollment information
131 West Nittany Avenue
State College PA 17801
Phone: 814-231-1011
Web site: www.scasd.org/schighschool/site/default.asp
Bellefonte Area School District enrollment information
318 North Allegheny Street
Bellefonte PA 16823
Phone: 814-355-4814
Web site: www.basd.net/Page/133
How to find religious organizations, student groups, and other groups
C-NET is Centre County's Government and Education Access Television Network.
C-NET administers two channels — CGTV (channel 7) and CETV (channel 98) — and also manages CentreConnect.org, a comprehensive, countywide website database of nonprofit, government, and education organizations.
Phone: 814-238-5031
Fax: 814-238-5368
E-mail: cnet@centreconnect.org
Website: centreconnect.org/clubs_organizations/church/religiou.htm