OPIE: English Language Study

Contact information | Programs of Study | Language & Computer Laboratories | Teachers

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Contact information

Postal address:

OPIE, 155 Gordy Hall,
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701 USA

Telephone: 740-593-4575

Fax: 740-593-4577

E-mail: opie@ohio.edu

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.

Sample Weekly Schedule: Full-time Intensive English (Advanced Level)

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.

Sample Weekly Schedule: Semi - Intensive English (Three Hours of English and one Academic)

Special features of our program include:

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 & 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:
1--Reading Laboratory...to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, and reading speed.
2--Listening Laboratory...self-study to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.
3--Pronunciation Tutoring...one-on-one work with a tutor to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.
4--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.

Click here to see: Faculty and Administration.