Intensive English Program

The Intensive English Program at Drexel University prepares students for academic study at an American university with courses designed to advance their academic, personal, and professional goals. Incoming students take a test to determine their placement across the program's eight levels of study from foundation to advanced. Students attend classes 21 hours a week, five days a week, Monday through Friday.
  • Eight levels of study from foundation to advanced
  • Courses run in the fall, winter, spring and summer
  • Program includes pre-academic coursework

Apply for the Intensive English Program

Program Costs – Full-time

All prices are subject to change.

Estimated Costs                          Full Term                          Half Term             
Application Fee, one-time cost                              $65                              $65                             
Tuition                              $5,481                              $3,289                             
Drexel University Fee                              $150                              $150                             
Health Insurance Estimate1                              $600                              $350                             
Room and Board Estimate2                              $4,245                              $2,123                             
TOTAL                              $10,541                              $5,977                             

1Health Insurance estimate. Estimated costs for Health Insurance. IMPORTANT: all full-time students must demonstrate proof of health insurance each year by enrolling in, or waiving, the Drexel English Language Center Health Insurance Plan at the beginning of each term.

2Room and Board estimate. Estimated costs for off-campus room and board.

Other Costs
It is important to remember that there may be other costs to consider during your education. Some of these include books, which vary by program, a computer for personal use, transportation and miscellaneous personal costs.


Program Costs – Part-time

All prices are subject to change.

Estimated Costs                          Full Term                          Half Term                         
Application Fee, one-time cost                              $65                              $65                             
Drexel University Fee                              $150                              $150                             
Reading and Vocabulary                              $1,500                              $939.60                             
Writing and Grammar                              $1,957.50                              $1,174.50                             
Listening and Speaking                              $1,957.50                              $1,174.50                             

Other Costs
It is important to remember that there may be other costs to consider during your education. Some of these include books, which vary by program, a computer for personal use, transportation and miscellaneous personal costs.

 

Program Calendar

Term                          Full Term                          1st Half Term                          2nd Half Term                         
Fall 2024                              Sep 19 - Dec 6                              Sep 19 - Oct 25                              Oct 25 - Dec 6                             
Winter 2025                              Jan 3 - Mar 14                              Jan 3 - Feb 7                              Feb 7 - Mar 14                             
Spring 2025                              Mar 27 - Jun 6                              Mar 27 - May 2                              Mar 27 - Jun 6                             
Summer 2025                              Jun 20 - Aug 29                              Jun 20 - Jul 25                              Jul 25 - Aug 29                             

Term                          Full Term                          1st Half Term                          2nd Half Term                         
Fall 2025                              Sep 18 - Dec 5                              Sep 18 - Oct 24                              Oct 24 - Dec 5                             
Winter 2026                              Jan 2 - Mar 13                              Jan 2 - Feb 6                              Feb 6 - Mar 13                             
Spring 2026                              Mar 26 - Jun 5                              Mar 26 - May 1                              May 1 - Jun 5                             
Summer 2026                              Jun 18 - Aug 28                              Jun 18 - Jul 24                              Jul 24 - Aug 28                             

Note: All dates are subject to change.

View Drexel's quarter and semester Academic Calendars.

Program Curriculum

Eight levels of intensive English courses include core classes that focus on:

Listening and Speaking

  • Listening comprehension and spoken communication skills, including pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
  • 7.5 hours per week.
  • Levels from foundational to advanced.

Reading and Vocabulary

  • Reading comprehension and academic vocabulary building.
  • 6 hours per week.
  • Levels from foundational to advanced.

Writing and Grammar

  • Written communication skills, including grammatical structure.
  • 7.5 hours per week.
  • Levels from foundational to advanced.

Typical Class Schedule

Schedule                          Monday                          Tuesday                          Wednesday                          Thursday                          Friday
9:00 to 10:20 am                              Writing and Grammar                              Writing and Grammar                              Writing and Grammar                              Writing and Grammar                              Writing and Grammar                             
10:30 to 11:50 am                              Listening and Speaking                              Listening and Speaking                              Listening and Speaking                              Listening and Speaking                              Listening and Speaking
11:50 am to 12:50 pm                              Break                              Break                              Break                              Break                              Optional Workshop or Activity                             
1:00 to 2:20 pm                              Reading and Vocabulary                              Reading and Vocabulary                              Reading and Vocabulary                              Reading and Vocabulary                              Optional Workshop or Activity                             

LEVELS

The Intensive English Program at the Drexel University English Language Center is comprised of eight levels. Students may move up one level each if they meet the minimum proficiency requirements.

CEFR - Common European Framework of Reference for Language Levels A1 - C1

For more information about CEFR proficiency levels A1 - C1 please email.

Pre-Academic Courses

levels 1 to 4 are considered pre-academic courses. Students at these levels can meet their most practical needs and some social demands. They can speak and understand details on familiar topics and respond to personal questions.

LEVEL 1: Foundation - There is a range within this level.

Level 1 is a foundation English as a second language course (CEFR Level A1).
Description of Outcomes - Level 1

LEVEL 2: Beginner - There is a range within this level.

Level 2 is a beginner English as a second language course (CEFR Level A2).
Description of Outcomes - Level 2

LEVEL 3: High Beginner - There is a range within this level.

Level 3 is a high-beginner English as a second language course (CEFR Level A2+).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 3

LEVEL 4: Low Intermediate - There is a range within this level.

Level 4 is a low-intermediate English as a second language course (CEFR Level B1).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 4

Academic Readiness Courses

Levels 5 to 8 are considered academic readiness courses which prepare learners for the tasks necessary for participating in a university environment.

LEVEL 5: Low Intermediate Plus - There is a range within this level.

Level 5 is a low-intermediate plus English as a second language course (CEFR Level B1+).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 5

LEVEL 6: Intermediate - There is a range within this level.

Level 6 is an intermediate English as a second language course (CEFR Level B2).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 6

LEVEL 7: High Intermediate - There is a range within this level.

Level 7 is a high-intermediate English as a second language course (CEFR Level B2+).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 7

LEVEL 8: Advanced - There is a range within this level.

Level 8 is an advanced English as a second language course (CEFR Level C1).
Descriptions of Outcomes - Level 8

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