American Language Program

ALP Programs

The ALP is distinguished as a leader in innovative curriculum design.

The American Language Program adheres to the NAFSA code of ethics and ascribes to UCIEP and AAIEP program guidelines.

Full-Time Intensive English

• This course is for non-matriculated students.
• Classes are offered on eight levels, from elementary to very advanced.
• Each student has full opportunity to participate in classwork and to receive individual attention.
• The course is designed to develop grammatical accuracy, pronunciation skills, fluency, listening and reading comprehension, and writing ability.

  12-Week Fall and Spring Terms

  4-Week Winter Institute (January)

  4-Week Summer Terms (June, July, August)

Part-Time English

• These courses are offered on intermediate and advanced levels only.
• Each student has full opportunity to participate in classwork and to receive individual attention.
• These courses are designed to develop grammatical accuracy, pronunciation skills, fluency, listening and reading comprehension, and writing ability.
• These courses are available to matriculated or non-matriculated students.

  5-Hour Morning Program (Fall and Spring Terms)

  5-Hour Evening Program (Fall and Spring Terms)

  10-Hour Morning Program (Fall and Spring Terms)

  10-Hour Evening Program (Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms)

Special English Skills Courses

Z1003: College Composition for International Students—Level 10 (Fall and Spring Terms)

• This is a four-credit English composition course for non-native speakers of English.

Fluency and Listening (Fall and Spring Terms)

• This course offers special practice in developing listening and speaking skills.

Pronunciation (Fall and Spring Terms)

• This course offers special practice in attending to and producing the sounds and rhythms of English.

TOEFL Preparation (Fall and Spring Terms)

• This course offers special practice in developing the test-taking skills needed to improve performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• This course is not a substitute for a comprehensive English class.

Professional English Courses

English for Professional Purposes: Business (Three-Week Summer Term)

• This course is a seminar in English language and business for pre-MBA students.
• It is available to very advanced students only.

English for Professional Purposes: Law (Three-Week Summer Term)

• This course is a seminar in English language and law for pre-law students.
• It is available only to very advanced students who already hold a university degree.

University Courses

Admission to the American Language Program does not necessarily lead to official admission to any other division of the University.

However, in cooperation with the Special Students Program of Continuing Education and Special Programs at Columbia, students who wish to pursue an academic program in addition to their study at the American Language Program may apply to take selected University courses once they have attained an advanced level of English. Note that registration for University courses may take place several weeks before ALP full-time courses begin.

Special Students Program

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