For Non-Native English Speakers
Course Offerings:
Part-of-Term (8 weeks) Courses:
- "Meets With" 3 credit course where students join the Intensive Program four days per week
- ESL 130: Writing for Academic Purposes, meets with ESL 061 Level 6 Intensive Writing
- Meets MW 12:00 - 12:50 pm AND TR 12:30 - 1:45 pm, plus additional asynchronous work
- Part-of-term: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II (Calendar)
- ESL 110: Speaking for Academic Purposes, meets with ESL 064 Level 6 Intensive Listening and Speaking
- Meets MW 1:00 - 1:50 pm AND TR 2:00 - 3:15 pm, plus additional asynchronous work
- Part-of-term: Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II (Calendar)
- ESL 130: Writing for Academic Purposes, meets with ESL 061 Level 6 Intensive Writing
Full Semester (16 weeks) Courses:
- Composition and Communication requirement course for non-native English speakers
- WRD 110-TBD / ESL 132: Composition and Communication I
- Meeting times vary each semester – check Course Catalog
- Full Semester: Fall
- WRD 111-TBD / ESL 134: Composition and Communication II
- Meeting times vary each semester – check Course Catalog
- Full Semester: Spring
- WRD 110-TBD / ESL 132: Composition and Communication I
Course Registration:
Students can simply complete the following Microsoft Form to request an override, allowing them to register for the courses they prefer.
Please Note:
- The student pays normal tuition and fees for degree courses, and can use any financial aid or scholarships granted to them in their student account.
Intensive English Program – Course Descriptions
| Course | Course Description |
| ESL 130: Writing for Academic Purposes | Develops academic writing skills for non-native English speakers enrolled in U.S. university courses. Students practice cross-disciplinary research, collaboration, the writing process, organization and development of ideas, and editing and proofreading. Prepares students to write effectively in academic settings at a level comparable to native-speaker peers. |
| ESL 110: Speaking for Academic Purposes | Develops academic speaking skills for non-native English speakers enrolled in U.S. university courses. Emphasis is placed on academic presentations, interpersonal communication, pronunciation, and accent. Prepares students to participate confidently in academic settings at a level comparable to native-speaker peers. |
| ESL 132: Composition and Communication I | Designed for multilingual students, this course emphasizes critical inquiry, research, and effective communication through writing, speaking, and visuals. Students explore community-relevant issues, conduct primary and secondary research, and use digital and visual tools to enhance presentations. The course builds collaboration, reflective analysis, and interpersonal communication skills and serves as the first course in a two-course sequence. |
| ESL 134: Composition and Communication II | The second course in the composition sequence for multilingual students, this course builds advanced skills in research, rhetoric, and integrated oral, written, and visual communication. Students analyze public issues, develop arguments, propose solutions, and complete digital and public-facing projects while strengthening collaboration and presentation skills. Prerequisite: Completion of Composition and Communication I. |
Interested in studying English only, before starting a degree program?
The Intensive English Program courses are non-degree, meaning that the student needs to apply following instructions online: https://esl.as.uky.edu/iep-timeline, pay the Intensive English Program (lower) tuition and fees: https://esl.as.uky.edu/tuition-and-fees, and is not able to use financial supports in this program.