Pam Duran, director, IALC
The Intensive American Language Center (IALC) at Washington State University has received accreditation by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), said Pam Duran, director of the IALC. CEA is a national agency which oversees institutions that prepare non-English speaking international students to enter higher education or to pursue professional goals.
The process included an extensive self-study report addressing 52 standards — each including a narrative description, evaluation and supporting documentation — as well as a two-day on-site review. The accreditation is for a five-year period.
The IALC offers a multitude of services, including:
* Five 8-week sessions each year providing English training.
* Special programs that prepare students and visitors from Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China, and teacher exchanges from Russia, Uzbekistan, Japan and other nations.
* A program introducing international students to WSU and helping them with English in their academic studies.
* Evaluation and instruction for WSU teaching assistants who come from foreign countries seeking graduate degrees.
Currently offered courses include: Thesis/Dissertation Support Course, Presentation Skills (ITA) Workshop, English Interface for Business/Engineering Majors, Pronunciation, and Oral Skills.
* Special evening community ESL classes for the spouses of international students and others wishing to study ESL (English as a second language) on a non-academic track.
The IALC has been in existence at WSU for 20 years. Students from all over the world have benefitted from the IALC’s language instruction. The majority come to raise their competency in English so they can pursue higher education goals at WSU or another university. Others hail from corporations that recognize the need for English proficiency in our global economy or simply come to enrich their education.
The IALC offers five eight-week sessions each year, as well as a growing number of “special programs” that draw students from Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China, and teacher exchanges from Russia, Uzbekistan, Japan and other nations.
For more information about the IALC, go to www.ialc.wsu.edu or 116 McAllister Hall, or call 335-6675.
