www.ohio.edu/opie
Academics at OPIE
OPIE’s top three levels are semi-intensive English classes. At the 3 Hour Part-Time level, students study English for three hours a day and attend one academic course. At the 2 Hour Part-Time level, students study English for two hours a day and attend two academic courses.
Students who are taking full-time Ohio University classes can further refine their English with special OPIE support classes in academic writing, oral communication, and training for teaching assistant (TA) positions at the university by refining their communication skills.
Programs of Study
Classes are small and teachers pay special attention to student needs. Participation and the practical use of spoken and written English are emphasized.
Full-time Intensive English Study. The OPIE offers four levels of intensive English. All full-time levels are built around a core class which meets three hours per day, and two hours of support classes. Classes meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday reserved for individual lab work, teacher conferences, and special projects or activities.
Semi-intensive English Study. Students at semi-intensive levels who are admitted to Ohio University may take one or two academic courses while they study English. Arrangements can be made for students on Special Student Status to take one or two courses in the University as well. Semi-intensive courses are normally divided into graduate and undergraduate sections. These courses focus on the language and academic skills necessary for success at the student’s level of study.
Conversation Partners
Americans studying at Ohio University are assigned to all full-time international students who participate in the Conversation Partners Program. Students spend at least one hour each week speaking English with their conversation partners and other American college students.
Self-Access Day
On Wednesdays, students work individually in the computer, reading, and listening laboratories or meet with teachers to work on individual needs.
Elective Courses
In addition to English courses, OPIE also offers special elective courses for advanced-level and part-time students to study topics of personal interest. These have included Public Speaking, Intercultural Communication, American Culture, U.S. Cities: New York and Los Angeles, Social Issues through American Films, and Pronunciation.
Language and Computer Laboratories
Three types of language laboratories are used by OPIE students. Students learn how to use the labs at the beginning of each quarter:
- Reading Laboratory…to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, and reading speed.
- Listening Laboratory…self-study to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.
- Pronunciation Tutoring…one-on-one work with a tutor to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.
- Computer Classrooms…a place where students use technology to develop reading, vocabulary, and grammar control; the computer classroom also offers word processing, e-mail, and Internet access, and provides experience with various software applications
Teachers
All OPIE teachers are professionally trained and experienced in the teaching of English as a second/foreign language. All members of the professional faculty have a Ph.D. or an M.A. in teaching English as a second/foreign language (TESL/TEFL). Teaching associates in the program are graduate students in the Department of Linguistics with prior experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages, and are supervised by senior faculty.
Admission
If you need help or information about applying to Ohio University, or about the OPIE program of studies and services, or about any other question, e-mail us at this address. Here is the Ohio University Academic Calendar.
There Are two ways to Study at OPIE
1. Special Student Status
Special student status is best for students who are not interested in a degree program at Ohio University or who are unsure of the program they would like to enter. The only requirement for special student status is that the student have a high school diploma.
Students at the part-time level may take some academic courses under special student status, but if they want to apply to obtain an academic degree they must apply for admission to Ohio University while they are still in OPIE.
You need the following to complete your application for special student status:
Click here for: Application form for OPIE
Application Fee $45.00
Financial Bank Statement for English study; for each quarter you wish to attend – $7,948.00
Transcripts
Click here to: e-mail a question about special student admissions
2. Ohio University Status
Graduate and Undergraduate students who plan to study at Ohio University apply directly to the university. For information on estimated expenses at Ohio, click here.
Graduate students usually need to send language test results to their academic departments. Additionally, all international students are tested for English skills when they arrive in Athens. Students who need to improve their English must enroll in the Ohio Program of Intensive English. However, students may take some academic courses as soon as they reach the part-time level.
Click here for: Undergraduate Admissions
Click here for: Graduate Student Application for Ohio University
Click here for: International Student Admissions Information
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