The Intensive English Center at SCSU provides English language instruction for individuals whose primary language is one other than English and who wish to improve their English language skills for the purpose of pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a university or college in the United States. Additionally, the IEC provides introductions to general American and academic American culture. Through these two endeavors students in the IEC are given the opportunity to grow intellectually and emotionally as they learn to successfully communicate in English and learn to live in a different culture.
The IEC contributes significantly to SCSU’s overall diversity and provides opportunities for cross-cultural and intercultural communication, leaving a life changing and lasting impact on the SCSU student, faculty, and staff communities. Through its instructional and curriculum experiences, the IEC assists the English Department and, specifically, the MA-TESL program in providing practical, relevant teaching experience for graduate students pursuing a career in ESL. Furthermore, the IEC actively supports visiting scholars from other countries who wish to learn more about the teaching of English as a Second Language.