Ball State’s Intensive English Institute (IEI) has offered quality English language instruction to international students for over 35 years. Located in the Robert Bell Building, this nationally accredited (CEA) program has provided a safe and welcoming environment for our international students to learn English language skills and explore American culture.

The IEI includes an innovative project-based curriculum taught by world-class teachers with at least a master’s degree in English as a second language or equivalent. The program focuses on immersion in American culture and provides an opportunity to interact and communicate with Ball State students. The program offers seven-week sessions of instruction for all levels of English proficiency. There are 5 IEI sessions per year. New students are placed into one of IEI’s six levels, level 1 (beginner) to level 6 (advanced). The IEI offers an academic bridge program that allows students who meet level 6 language proficiency to take classes in their desired degree programs while also taking courses in the IEI.

Our students hail from all over the world, including China, Japan, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Peru, Columbia, and Benin. Students matriculate into various programs throughout the university including into the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Music. Our collaboration with the Sino-American CHEPD 1+2+1 Program has been a great asset to our IEI. Several students in this program start in the IEI and then matriculate into the Department of Media, Computer Science, and the Miller College of Business.

Here are some testimonials from our alumni.

 

“The IEI offered a fast and effective route towards reaching my required English language level that helped me develop the academic skills needed for university success. The IEI helped me improve my communication skills to make the most of my studies.” – Sarah, College of Sciences and Humanities

 

“The IEI helped me make great progress in my English in a short time. It helped me build a good language foundation for my life and the academic courses I took later. The writing course I took in IEI is very useful for my graduate study. The things I learned, such as APA style and other writing skills, helped me to succeed in my graduate program.”- Qiaohui, School of Music

 

Over the past 35 years, The IEI has collaborated with several academic units to enhance the students’ acculturation to campus and the classroom experience.

Some collaborations include working with faculty and students in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics, allowing students from two departments to practice their different second languages. IEI reading classes collaborated with faculty in the Department of Anthropology and the Department of Sociology to discuss multicultural religions and race and ethnic relations with the student cohorts.

IEI offers field trips, which provide knowledge of the US and Ball State culture. Trips to Connor Prairie, Charles W. Brown Planetarium, David Owsley Museum of Art, Bracken Library, and Christy Woods are well received by IEI students. For Fall 2021, the IEI hosted a “treasure hunt.” IEI students, along with other international students, members of the International Ambassadors Association (a student organization), and graduate students in Ball State’s English program, hunted for treasures across campus. Students learned about different units on campus and how these offices and organizations can serve them. Everyone left with some treasures: new friends, new knowledge, and a Ball State souvenir.

The IEI has served many students in the past 35 years and hopes to serve many more as we fulfill our mission to facilitate international students’ progress in English proficiency and the knowledge of US culture necessary for success in academic coursework in the United States.

 

On Friday, August 27, 2021, the IEI hosted a “treasure hunt.” IEI students along with other international students, members of the International Ambassadors Association (a student organization), and graduate students in Ball State’s English program, hunted for treasures across campus. Students learned about different units on campus and how these offices and organizations can serve them. Everyone left with some treasures: new friends, new knowledge, and a Ball State key chain or Ball State magnet.

 

 

Photo 1: left to right- Nell Hill, Anshika Singh, Enam Hassan, Julieth Soto

Photo 2: left to right- Oceane Atchikpa, Rin Croy, Taskeen Zahra

Photo 3: front to back, l-r- Dakshata Shahi, Tod Stewart, Juvell Medina