Intensive English

Each level is designed to take 1 quarter to complete (3 months). Students will take an online placement test 1-2 months before classes start.

• Level 1: Students build basic skills in writing, reading, and speaking/listening. They focus on sentence structure, verb tenses, and writing processes. In reading, they improve comprehension and vocabulary. For speaking/listening, they practice using grammar in everyday situations, giving directions, and improving pronunciation.
• Level 2: Students practice more complex sentence structures, verb tenses, and modals. Writing focuses on organization, transitions, and paragraph development. In reading, they practice scanning, skimming, and making inferences while building vocabulary. Speaking/listening focuses on expressing themselves in formal and informal situations.
• Level 3: Students master advanced verb tenses, compound/complex sentences, and apply writing skills to various paragraph types. Reading develops critical thinking and the ability to identify an author’s point of view. For speaking/listening, they begin oral presentations and work on pronunciation, note-taking, and summarizing.
• Level 4: Students prepare for credit classes by improving academic writing, reading, and critical thinking skills. Speaking/listening focuses on oral presentations and advanced listening skills, like identifying mood and tone. Electives include options like TOEFL Prep, Advanced Grammar, and English through Film.
• Level 5: Students refine essay writing, summarizing, and critical reading skills, with a focus on thesis development and editing. In Read and React, students analyze college-level fiction and non-fiction. Oral communication skills are enhanced through listening, summarizing, and analyzing content. Electives include Communication and Culture, TOEFL Prep, and more.
• Bridge “Level 6”: Students will take a college-level English class along with other courses.
• College-Level Programs: Issues a certificate, associate, or bachelor degree.

All your grades appear on your academic transcript and count toward your GPA (Grade Point Average). Each quarter, you need to complete the level you’re enrolled in and move on to the next level.

The student’s level in Intensive English is based on placement test results, with 5 levels available.

Each level requires about one term to complete, with students typically taking 3-4 classes per term. Generally, students spend 9 to 12 months (3-4 terms) in the program before advancing to college-level courses at Bellevue College.