Program Overview  

Learn English

The Program in Intensive English (PIE) prepares you for academic success at a US university.  You'll be able to study for a Northern Arizona University degree when you finish our English program—while enjoying the benefits of a full-time student in the meantime.

In this program, you will:

  • work to improve your English skills by taking full-time English language coursework
  • develop your study skills in a university environment
  • gain confidence in yourself as a student and as an English speaker
  • make friends in the university student community
  • immerse yourself in American culture
  • have access to university services, facilities, and activities:
    • opportunity to live on campus
    • check out books from the library
    • use the athletic center
    • and more...
     

How the program works

After you apply to PIE and are accepted to the university, you will be assigned to a level of instruction based on your placement test score or your internet-based TOEFL (iBT score):

Level 1

Score below 16 on the iBT: 27 hours of instruction

Level 2

Score between 16-31 on the iBT: 27 hours of instruction 

Level 3

Score between 32-44 on the iBT: 27 hours of instruction

Level 4

Score between 45-57 on the iBT: 26 hours of instruction 

Level 5 (or “Bridge” level)

Score between 57-69 on the iBT: 24 hours of instruction.  You are allowed to take up to four credits of regular university coursework along with 20 hours of coursework in PIE.

Note: Undergraduate degree-seeking students who complete Level 5 may then enroll in regular NAU courses.

Level 6 (Graduate Academic Preparation)

This class is for students who hope to apply to graduate programs in the United States.   Students in this class have advanced proficiency (iBT scores over 70 for undergraduates, but will need higher proficiency for graduate programs) and need to prepare for GRE/GMAT tests as well as improve their academic proficiency and prepare their graduate applications. Students enrolled in this course will be full-time students.

Program courses

View our program courses to learn what classes you will take as a student in PIE.