Center for International & English Learning

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Academic Language Support for Graduate Students

Contact Us about Academic Language Support for Graduate Students

IELP Graduate Student Support Services

For more information about our current offerings and support options please contact Julie Haun our Graduate Student Support Specialist at ielpgrad@pdx.edu. 

CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS:

  • Do you need help developing a research question?
  • Do you want support with organizing the literature review for your thesis or dissertation?
  • Do you want to successfully manage a heavy reading load?
  • Do you want coaching to prepare and deliver presentations?
  • Do you want strategies for being an active participant in class discussions?

WE CAN HELP!

Graduate Academic Preparation Courses can help graduate students build skills, develop confidence, and learn strategies for effectively contributing to the academic conversation. These classes also offer opportunities for multilingual graduate students to develop systems of peer and language support that will sustain their work throughout their programs.
 

DO YOU WANT TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE U.S.A.?

Not yet admitted to a graduate program?

The IELP is a great place to prepare for your graduate studies. We have interactive English classes that can help you develop your grammar, writing, reading, and listening/speaking skills.

GRADUATE ESL PATHWAY COURSES

All courses include access to IELP support and services:

  • Access to tutors who specialize in multilingual student support, TOEFL and IELTS test preparation, pronunciation and grammar.
  • Access to the IELP Learning Center and computer lab.
  • Access to IELP activities designed to expose students to Portland life and culture.

Writing Courses

IELP 453 Graduate Research and Writing - 4 credits

This course provides an overview of typical graduate level writing and helps students refine their academic writing skills through multiple projects that use library research and field-appropriate citation. Learn to recognize and produce vocabulary and grammar necessary for graduate-level academic writing.

Ling 457 Advanced Writing Seminar for Multilingual Students - 2 credits

This seminar-style course helps graduate students navigate their existing writing projects. In five class meetings, students set writing goals, receive feedback on their writing projects from classmates, and discuss topics related to academic writing practices, such as using clear and precise grammar or vocabulary, and integrating outside literature as support for an argument. These classes are supplemented with one-on-one consultations with the instructor and IELP tutors. 
 

Reading Courses

IELP 454 Graduate Reading Strategies - 4 credits

This course helps students develop strategies to prepare for graduate-level reading. Skills include reading comprehension, reading speed, and note taking. Students read in their individual disciplines and use technology tools to discuss, organize, and manage research articles, cite sources, and utilize academic vocabulary.
 

Speaking & Listening Courses

IELP 456 Graduate Oral Communication - 4 credits

This interactive course helps students expand their public speaking and group discussion skills in an academic environment. Students participate in research gathering through panel discussions and interviews. There is a strong focus on interpersonal skills with classmates and faculty in the US education system.

NEW CLASS: Ling 199 008 Presenting Your Work: Presentation Strategies for Multilingual Academics - 2 credits

This workshop-style course helps graduate students improve the content, organization, and delivery of academic presentations. Class work includes evaluating presentations for effectiveness and designing content for students’ current graduate course assignments, including thesis/dissertation defense presentations. Students benefit from targeted presentation practice and individualized consultations with the instructor.
 

Grammar Courses

IELP 152 Grammar & Editing for Academic Writing - 4 credits

In this course students will practice applying appropriate grammar forms to improve the sophistication and accuracy in academic writing. 
 
LING 199 Grammar Refresher for Academic Writing - 2 credits 

Students learn to recognize and use grammatical features commonly used in academic writing. This 2-credit hybrid course gives advanced academic writers tools for greater accuracy and confidence in their writing. 
 

TIANYU (FAY) ZHANG

PSU Graduate Student
MA TESOL & International Management

“Especially in China, we think that language programs are a waste of money, a waste of time, but that’s not going to happen in the IELP." 
 

Are you interested in being a PSU Grad Student?