The ELL Intensive Program is not currently accepting applications for new students

ELL Mission Statement

The mission of the intensive English language program at UVU is to help non-native English-speaking students understand and successfully use academic English at an American university. To accomplish this goal, our faculty and coursework provide a broad range of excellent academic and social opportunities. These opportunities help students develop and show proficiency in the skills of reading, writing, grammar and listening/speaking.

Jim Pettersson

Dear Student,

We hope you’re looking forward to attending UVU's Intensive English Language Program because many exciting opportunities await you—both academic and social! Visit the Writing Center to receive free individual help from a UVU tutor, submit an article for the ELL Newsletter, attend lectures from distinguished guest speakers, and even present on your own research project at a UVU conference. Socially, you can practice conversational English with UVU volunteers, take a class trip to beautiful Capitol Reef National Park, join one of UVU’s 100+ clubs, participate in ELL and UVU sponsored activities, or just hang out with your friends at the bowling alley. The English Language Learning faculty and staff don’t want you to just learn English, we want you to experience and engage with the language, people, and culture. In the spirit of the Brazilian educational philosopher Paulo Freire, I encourage you to not just learn how to “read the word” during your time at UVU, but also to “read the world” as well. I hope to see you soon,
Best wishes,

Jim Pettersson, Ph.D.
ELL Program Director

Our Intensive English Program

We offer a six-level language program designed mainly for students who are planning to attend college in the United States, or who would like to improve their English to advance in the workplace.

Core classes focus on

Listening/Speaking
Reading
Writing
Grammar

Optional classes

Pronunciation
TOEFL Prep (offered to Level 5 and 6 students in lieu of a core class)

The TOEFL preparation class is a great opportunity to improve your skills and prepare to take the TOEFL exam.

Fall and Spring semesters

15 weeks long
Morning classes: Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Evening classes: Monday-Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.
For a full course of study, students should register for 18-19 credit hours per semester (4-5 classes) and attend class 18-19 hours per week.

Summer semester

14 weeks long
Only morning classes: Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.

The time it takes to complete the ELL program depends on a student’s initial level placement. Highly motivated and proficient students may be able to study at an accelerated pace by skipping levels (as long as they meet the all the criteria for skipping a level). Resident students or international students taking a “break” may enroll part-time and study at a slower rate.