Intensive English Program

Levels 1-7/A1-B1+

The IEP features a skills-based curriculum in which the students learn and improve their English language abilities by focusing on the following skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar. IEP classes prepare students for future academic or professional use of English. A further goal of the upper levels of the program is to give students the foundation they need to succeed in rigorous academic classes in CESL’s University Track Pathway and, eventually, in a degree program at University of Arizona.

Students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) take a placement test upon arrival to determine which level the student will begin. Once the appropriate level has been determined, the students receive a full time schedule for the following courses:

Written Communication
Oral Communication
Reading Skills
Grammar

All of the levels in the IEP are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for language proficiency (CEFR) from proficiency A1 (Beginner) to proficiency B1+ (High Intermediate). If you are interested in taking IEP classes part-time, click here https://ceslapp.arizona.edu/admissions/pt/

Riko Iwamoto & Nozomi Watanabe - Japan

Program Details

Cost of Program

8 Week Session Costs

Find the costs below for a single session lasting eight weeks as well as the financial guarantee requirement.

Application fee (non-refundable) $120

Session Costs (8 week session)
Tuition	$2800
Student Services Fee	$300
Technology Fee	$230
Materials Fee	$60
Mandatory Campus Health Fee	$190
Mandatory Student Health Insurance Fee	$190
Total Payable to CESL	$3770

IEP Financial Guarantee
Total Payable to CESL	$3770
Living Expenses (living, transportation, food, etc.)	$4363
Total Needed for IEP Financial Guarantee	$8133

Dependents

If you plan to bring dependents (legal spouse and/or children under 21 years of age), you will need to provide additional evidence of $1,600 per session for a spouse and $1,000 per session per child.

What is a financial guarantee?

A financial guarantee is an official bank statement, or scholarship offer, which promises to sponsor or pay for a student's academic studies. The amount to be covered includes tuition, fees, books, and the cost of living. If you are submitting a personal bank statement it must have been issued within the last 6 months. Bank statements must be in English. If it is not your personal bank statement you must include the financial guarantee authorization from the account holder.

Financial Guarantee Requirements

Must be recent, within 6 months of being issued
Needs to be in English
Needs to be on official bank letterhead
Needs to show account balance (not average in the account)
Currency must be indicated
Date of issuance
Name of account holder
Needs to be checking or savings

Important Dates (Summer 2025 session):

Application deadline: May 3, 2025
Confirmation form due: May 23, 2025
Report date: June 3, 2025
Late tuition fees begin: June 3, 2025 after 5pm

Admissions Requirements

In order to enroll in the IEP program, applications must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 17 year olds who have completed high school
Be literate in their first language
Application
Copy of Passport
Financial Guarantee
Financial Guarantee Authorization (if applicable)

Please note:

Submission of fraudulent documents or falsifying information will cancel I-20 processing
Applicants for the F-1 students visa must demonstrate ability to meet the financial obligations of their program
University-bound students who meet or exceed TOEFL/IELTS requirements for their program of study may not be admitted to CESL
CESL admission is not guaranteed

Curriculum

All courses are eight weeks long unless specified otherwise. Students in the full-time Intensive English Program (IEP) must take 2 integrated-skills core classes (Oral Communication and Written Communication) and 2 skills courses (Grammar and Reading Skills).
Written Communication classes meet for 6.6 hours per week. Oral Communication and Reading classes meet for 5.3 hours per week. Grammar classes meet for 4 hours per week. Electives meet for 1 hour per week. Overall instructional time is approximately 22 hours per week.
CESL students are placed by proficiency level into their courses. We try within the proficiency level to diversify the student groups by native language as much possible.
CESL IEP classes are scheduled between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM. Typically, full-time students will not be at CESL more than 7 hours in day, which includes breaks.

FAQ

How will I know my level?
All new students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) take a placement test upon arrival to determine which level the student will begin.

How long will it take to finish my IEP studies?
This will depend on your English ability when you arrive at CESL. This document provides some helpful information: https://arizona.box.com/shared/static/lidygzaxbu2pad1fgi60ef281vl1ql3u.pdf Click here https://arizona.box.com/s/q1gpm57l0xx9vixyf0sclie9bq5x0hhe to view the full placement table.

How long is each level?
8 weeks

Do I have to finish the IEP to enter the University of Arizona (UA)?
CESL recommends you finish the Intensive English and University Track Pathway (U-Track Pathway) programs before you begin UA studies. However, students who obtain a TOEFL or IELTS score high enough for direct admission may exit the program early.

Can I retest at CESL if I think my level is wrong or if I want to jump a level?
New CESL Students who take CESL’s placement test when they first arrive may ask to re-test if they think their level is incorrect. CESL administration will determine if the student’s first test result is close enough to another level to justify retesting, and will let the student know if a retest is possible. Students may not retest to move down a level.

Current CESL students who wish to progress through CESL’s levels more quickly may ask to retest at the beginning of a new session if their grades from the previous session are good. If the test result shows they can move up more than one level, CESL will let the student jump a level. Retesting is neither required nor does it guarantee a student will jump a level. Students who wish to jump from the IEP into the University Track Pathway should first contact CESL admissions as these are two separate CESL programs.

The fee for all retesting at CESL is $45

If I want to attend the University Track Pathway Program after the IEP, do I need a TOEFL or IELTS score?
No. You can enter the U-Track Pathway directly from the IEP with good grades in level 7.

Do you offer scholarships or financial aid to help with tuition?

Unfortunately, we do not offer any kind of scholarship or financial aid for our programs. Students may seek private sponsorship from their governments or other organizations.

What are the steps to apply for the F-1 Student Visa?

Apply to the CESL Program
When you are admitted to the CESL program, you will receive your I-20
Pay your SEVIS fee
Complete your visa application
Schedule and attend your visa interview

Can I attend your program on a B1/B2 Visitor/Tourist visa?

If your goal in coming to Tucson is to study English with us, you should apply for full-time study on an F-1 student visa. To discuss your options, please call us at (520) 621-3637.

Sessions

Application deadlines are at 5pm Arizona time. All applications materials must be received by the application deadline.

Summer 2025 (8-week full session)

Application Deadline

May 3

Report Date:

Jun 3

Session Duration June 9 – August 1

Fall I, 2025 (8-week full session)

Application Deadline

July 19

Report Date:

Aug 19

Session Duration August 25 – October 17

Fall II, 2025 (8-week full session)

Application Deadline

September 14

Report Date:

Oct 14

Session Duration October 20 – December 12

Spring I, 2026 (8 week full session)

Application Deadline

December 6

Report Date:

Jan 6

Session Duration January 12 – March 6

Spring II, 2026 (8 week full session)

Application Deadline

February 3

Report Date:

Mar 3

Session Duration March 9 – May 1

Apply Now

Center for English as a Second Language

Intensive English Program

Program Details

8 Week Session Costs

Dependents

What is a financial guarantee?

Financial Guarantee Requirements

Sessions

Have any questions? Contact us below:

Search form

Program Details

8 Week Session Costs

Dependents

What is a financial guarantee?

Financial Guarantee Requirements

Sessions

Have any questions? Contact us below: