Intensive English Program

Elementary Level

For students with pre-intermediate knowledge of basic English reading, listening/speaking, grammar and writing.

• Elementary Structure & Composition (IEP*025)
• Elementary Reading, Listening & Speaking (IEP*026)

Reading & Listening

Read or listen to a basic passage or conversation and identify the topic and main idea; answer orally and in writing objective and short answer questions about details, basic pronoun reference, and inference.

Speaking & Writing

Answer and produce questions (orally and in writing) about daily activities and provide personal information using accurate question and sentence structure, correct basic grammar, and mechanics in sentences and paragraphs.

Vocabulary

Understand, use, and spell targeted vocabulary in speaking, reading, listening, and writing which focuses on daily activities and providing personal information.

Grammar (used in all skill areas)

In writing, speaking, listening, and reading: use and understand simple present and present continuous; simple past of targeted regular and irregular verbs; future with will and be going to; adverbs of time and frequency associated with each verb tense; adverbs of manner, count and non-count nouns and quantifiers; subject and object pronouns; possessive adjectives; and form correctly simple, compound and complex adverb clause sentences; use all of the above to write organized and mostly grammatically correct sentences and basic paragraphs.

Intermediate Level

For students who have control of basic English grammar, reading, listening/speaking, and writing.

• Intermediate Structure & Composition (IEP*045)
• Intermediate Reading, Listening & Speaking (IEP*046)

Reading

Read texts with simplified academic content and answer questions about the main ideas, details, and basic inferences; guess the meaning of vocabulary in context; identify pronoun/ possessive adjective antecedents; demonstrate understanding of specified affixes and targeted vocabulary; complete tests in the allotted time and demonstrate effective note taking and marking skills by using notes to answer questions about previously read material; communicate ideas about topics studied (orally and in writing) by producing effective summaries or reactions.

Composition

Produce a variety of types of paragraphs (personal and academic content) and problem/ solution and cause/ effect essays on academic topics under time constraints; demonstrate effective organization and content; use basically grammatically correct simple, compound, and complex sentences with appropriate mechanics and vocabulary; demonstrate knowledge of pre-writing techniques, editing and revising skills.

Grammar

In writing and speaking, demonstrate understanding of form, meaning, and use of verb tenses (present, past, future, and present perfect) and adverbs associated with each tense; use complex sentences (adverb clauses of time, reason, contrast, and adjective clauses); use targeted gerunds, infinitives, and causatives; use basic articles; and use all of the above to produce comprehensible sentences and paragraphs.

Listening & Speaking

Listen to lectures on simplified academic topics, take notes, and rewrite them into outline format to be used in answering questions immediately or later; spell, use, and understand targeted vocabulary; orally and in writing present information on both personal and academic topics using vocabulary studied, clear pronunciation and grammatical control.

Advanced Level

For students who have control of intermediate English reading, listening/speaking, grammar, and writing but lack academic and language development skills in one or all of these areas: reading, listening/speaking, and composition/research.

• Advanced Structure & Composition (IEP*065)
• Advanced Reading, Listening & Speaking (IEP*066)

Academic & Language Development

Read and understand academic texts and lectures and demonstrate this by using effective note-taking and marking skills and using these to prepare for tests and quizzes (on both previously discussed material and newly presented material); answering effectively (content, vocabulary, and grammar) a variety of types of questions on readings, lectures and other aural materials; using targeted vocabulary in discussions and other assessment activities; effectively presenting (orally and in writing) information on academic topics and using own knowledge to analyze, apply, summarize or paraphrase academic content.

Composition & Research

Produce well-written and meaningful essays on academic content using a variety of formats and under time constraints; effectively choose and use support for own ideas with paraphrases and quotes from the source material; use logical, well-organized content with effective support; use mostly grammatically correct simple, compound and complex sentences (with all verb tenses; gerunds/ infinitive; count/non-count nouns; articles; pronouns; possessive adjectives) with appropriate mechanics (including citation of sources) and vocabulary; demonstrate knowledge of pre-writing techniques, editing and revising.

International students at Pittsburg State University who wish to be considered for employment as graduate teaching assistants (GTA) must submit one of the following to the Graduate School as part of the application process:

• a score of 22 or above on the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT
• a score of 7 or above on the speaking section of the IELTS
• a score of 50 or above on the SPEAK Test

*Administrative and research assistants do not need to meet this language requirement.

The Graduate School at Pittsburg State University authorizes the International Programs and Services Office to schedule, administer, and score the SPEAK Test for international graduate students who do not have a TOEFL iBT score or IELTS score.

A prospective international graduate teaching assistant may take the SPEAK test by appointment two times within 10 days.

If the student’s score is 45 for either of the initial two tests, the student may take the test one more time within 10 days of the second test.

If the student’s score is below 45 for the initial two tests, or if the score on the third test is below 50, the student must wait 30 days before taking the test again.

To schedule a SPEAK Test, a student must go to the International Programs and Services Office at 118 Whitesitt Hall. The student will receive a SPEAK Test Release, Appointment, and Submission of the SPEAK Test Score Form.

After reading and signing the Form, the student may request an appointment to take the SPEAK Test. Test times are typically available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The test takes about 30 minutes.

The student may request a SPEAK Practice Test booklet to take home to prepare for the test. This should be brought back and given to the test supervisor on the day of the test.

For more information about scheduling a test, contact the International Programs and Services Office at (620) 235-4680 or iss@pittstate.edu.

he International Programs and Services Office reports SPEAK Test scores to the Graduate School and to the student five (5) days after the test date.

• The SPEAK Test will be given in 120 Whitesitt Hall.
• The student should arrive 5 minutes before the time of the appointment.
• The student must bring a signed SPEAK Test Release, Appointment, and Submission of SPEAK Test Score Form, and a PSU ID.
• The student will be tested in a quiet room with a test booklet and 2 tape recorders – one for playing the test instructions and another for recording the spoken answers of the student. The student does not need a pen, pencil, or paper.
• A test supervisor will help the student get set up and will stay in the room during the test.
• The student will be required to leave all belongings with the test supervisor.
• The test supervisor will check that the student understands the instructions.
• The test supervisor will check the equipment and start the recorders.
• The test supervisor will remind the student that if the student pauses the recorders at any time, the test will not be valid. The test supervisor will stop the test at that point, and the student may not complete the test at that time. He or she will have to reschedule based on the Frequency of Testing policy.
• When the test is done, the student is free to leave.
• The Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies and the student will receive the SPEAK Test score five (5) days after the test date.

The SPEAK Test fee is $50 and must be paid in the International Programs and Services Office. The fee must be submitted along with the SPEAK Test form. The fee is required for each time the test is taken.