What’s the best way to prepare for university studies in a 100% English-speaking environment such as the U.S.A.? Take a free class!
It can be very hard to know what a real university style class is like until you’ve actually attended one, so why not try it now? Don’t worry if your English isn’t perfect. It’s not meant to be! That’s exactly why Intensive English Programs (IEPs) exist. And thanks to the friendly team at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), you can join one of their live classes online – no complicated enrollment forms, no stress, no cost!
Take a free English lesson
Join CSUN’s next 45-minute English language session where you can participate with other international students just like you. This isn't a presentation - this is a real class led by an official CSUN teacher!
During the lesson, you’ll enter a virtual CSUN classroom and experience what a real Intensive English Program from CSUN is like, including interacting with other students, doing practice exercises, and taking part in learning activities. At the end of the lesson, the teacher will reserve some time for open discussions, so you can ask any remaining questions you may have.
Fill in the form below and a CSUN rep will contact you with more info and a link to the free English lesson on Zoom. Free classes are held during Pacific Standard Time (please convert to your local time). The next sessions are:
- Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 2:00pm PST
- Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 8:00am PST
- Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 10:00am PST
- Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 7:00pm PST
- Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 12:00pm PST
Can’t make those dates? No problem! Additional sessions are run regularly. Fill in the form to get info on how to join an upcoming class!
Improving your English and prepping for a university degree program in California
If you’re thinking about applying to an English-speaking university, then it’s essential that you have the right level of English to keep up with your professors and fellow students. It’s one thing to study English, but it’s an entirely different thing to live it 24/7!
The Intensive English Program (IEP) from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a year-round academic program designed to ensure that students acquire and improve the English-language skills needed for success in the undergraduate or graduate degree program of their choice at CSUN or even at other colleges or universities in the USA.
CSUN also run an Intensive English Program (IEP) with Conditional Admission, which pre-approves you for admission to the undergraduate (Bachelor) or graduate (Master) degree program of your choice. This gives you guaranteed entry to a higher education degree program even if you have not yet met the English-language proficiency admission requirements.
You must be at least 18 years old and have finished high school by the time you begin either the normal IEP or the IEP with Conditional Admission.
Studying on campus, not online!
One of the best things about CSUN’s IEP classes is that they are switching back to a face-to-face format starting in January 2022, so you’ll be able to enjoy all the perks of living in California while you study.
In-person classes will be held on their Northridge campus, which is part of one of the nation’s largest public universities in America. Located just minutes away from Hollywood, Santa Monica and Malibu beach, you’ll have plenty of options to de-stress in between classes. See our previous article for helpful information on CSUN’s campus life and their very popular on-campus housing.
“I’m really happy because moving to a different place and staying there on your own makes you independent… I’m more independent than before and I’m more open to try different things or new stuff.” -- Kai Buchmann from Germany
Flexible start dates
Whether you’re planning to enroll in a Spring or Fall Semester, in California it’s summer all year round! With guaranteed sunshine and a lively West Coast vibe, you’ll instantly feel energised and ready to embrace your new American lifestyle.
CSUN has flexible start dates with five intakes a year:
- Spring, starting in January
- Mid-Spring in March
- Summer in May
- Fall in August
- Mid-Fall in October
If you’re not sure what program to choose, try CSUN’s simple “Which program is right for me?” quiz that helps to determine which course you should apply to first in order to begin your CSUN journey.
Each program session lasts for 8 weeks and includes 25 hours of learning per week (23 hours in the classroom, 2 hours online). To get a sense of what your average days might look like, see their easy to follow IEP sample week schedule.
Customise your English program to match your interests
Before you arrive at CSUN, you’ll take an online English placement exam from the comfort of home to determine the correct program level for you:
- Intermediate - Core skills for university preparation
- Advanced - Advanced skills for university preparation
- University Bridge - Academic, pre-university skills that provide a smooth transition to undergraduate and graduate degree programs
If you’re enrolled in the IEP’s Advanced or University Bridge levels, you can also earn university credit and start working towards either your undergraduate or graduate degree. Simply swap out an IEP class and replace it with a university-credit course.
You can take university-credit classes for your degree at no extra cost! Make a faster transition into your degree program by replacing an IEP class with a credit-bearing class.
Another perk of the IEP is the chance to get a TOEFL waiver for undergraduate and graduate studies. As an IEP student, this enables you to enter approved degree programs of your choice at CSUN or a partnering institution – without taking the TOEFL – as long as you have Pre-Approved Conditional Admission status and have completed the IEP's University Bridge level with a minimum cumulative grade-point-average (GPA) of 3.0.
Regardless of your level, all IEP students have the ability to supplement core classes (in reading, writing, listening and speaking) with elective classes including American culture, American slang and idioms, and English in popular music or movies. You can also take exam preparation courses for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
In addition to those elective classes, you can customize your program to fit your individual goals by choosing one of five content-themed classes to review vocabulary and concepts in an academic subject that best matches your future major: Cinema, Engineering, Finance, Humanities, or Music Theory.
With so much on offer, it’s no wonder that CSUN is home to over 3000 international students from more than 90 countries! Watch the video below and hear from students who came to CSUN from Germany, Japan, Sweden, China, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
Free tutoring and many other forms of student support
Your Intensive English Program at CSUN will be taught by experienced faculty with advanced degrees and class sizes are small (typically 15 to 18 students) to guarantee you receive individual attention and support.
If you’re in need of a bit of extra help, you can sign up for free, one-on-one tutoring appointments any time. These personal sessions assist you with understanding homework assignments, writing, test taking, pronunciation or other skills.
As a CSUN student, you will also receive access to a dedicated program manager who guides you through the wider range of university services, from application through graduation, including academic issues, socializing with new friends, discovering career paths, or researching financial aid options.
“This program has opened my mind about the future, about my career, about what I really want to do after here.” - Kellen Alvarenga Guimaraes from Brazil
Download CSUN’s brochure for a handy overview of their Intensive English Program, steps to apply, and a list of degree programs you can advance to after completing their IEP.
And don’t forget to fill in the form and we will send you the link to join the next free English session with CSUN!
