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Academic English Language Program (AELP) Basic Information

Heartland's Academic English Language Program (AELP) offers three semesters of intensive English language instruction and is especially designed for students seeking future admission to undergraduate degree programs in the U.S.

Students of AELP

Students of AELP

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the Academic English Language Program (AELP), students must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age upon arrival in the United States
  • Have a high school diploma
  • Have earned a minimum IELTS score of 4.5 or TOEFL score of 475
  • Show proof of financial support ($20,000 minimum) in English
  • Complete the application form* available in PDF format (451 KB, 10 pages), including a $100 non-refundable application fee
*Note: You must download and install Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ in order to view the application files.

Instruction

Heartland's Academic English Language Program (AELP) offers three semesters of intensive English language instruction. AELP courses require 25 hours of classroom instruction per week, including conversation, reading, listening, writing and grammar. Classes are held for 14 to 16 weeks during the fall and spring semesters and for 8 weeks during the summer.

Heartland's AELP is designed for students seeking future admission to U.S. undergraduate degree programs, or for students seeking a strong level of English language competency to begin a professional career. Students who successfully complete each semester of the program will be awarded a certificate of completion. A certificate of completion from the previous coursework is required to enroll in the next sequence of courses. Students may repeat a semester if necessary. Earlier admission to credit courses is possible if Heartland assessment standards are met.

Heartland Community College provides its students with dedicated faculty and staff committed to their success. All AELP faculty members at Heartland have extensive experience teaching English in the United States and overseas. Students are assigned an academic advisor dedicated to assisting each international student with his or her unique needs. Tutoring services also are offered free of charge.

Benefits

The AELP offers:

  • Small class sizes
  • Personal support from program facilitators
  • Bilingual staff
  • American conversational partners
  • American friendship families
  • Arranged housing
  • Arranged insurance to meet visa requirement
  • Local health clinic services
  • Extracurricular activities and events that help students experience U.S. culture
  • Field Trips
  • Orientation

Housing

Heartland's international students are provided with modern, comfortable off-campus housing within walking distance of Heartland's Normal campus. These furnished apartments typically contain four private bedrooms with private bathroom facilities, a kitchen and living room. The kitchen area includes a standard oven, a dishwashing machine, a clothes washing machine and a clothes dryer. Television, telephone and Internet services also are available. Recreational facilities include a pool table, ping-pong table, fitness room, swimming pool, sand volleyball court, computer center, outdoor cooking facilities and areas for resident parking. Several shopping centers, restaurants and supermarkets are within walking distance. A resident program facilitator who can assist students on a 24-hour basis resides at the housing complex. Students are required to live in this college-approved facility for a minimum of one year to take advantage of the cultural and support services offered by the program's staff. After completion of the first year, students have the option of selecting other housing accommodations.

Health Services/Insurance

Heartland has made arrangements for students to acquire basic health care and vaccinations with a clinic in Normal. Services and prescriptions are at no or greatly reduced costs. Heartland also arranges health insurance coverage to meet visa requirements.

Extracurricular Activities

AELP students may participate in extracurricular activities. Depending on the event, there may be little or no cost for participation.Some examples include:

  • picnic
  • movie night
  • outdoor movies (drive-in)
  • camping trip
  • shopping trip
  • bowling
  • viewing ice hockey game
  • watching bull riding event
  • ice skating
  • game day
  • pizza party
  • cooking session

Field Trips

Each semester students travel to local and state sites.Some past trips included:

Chicago

St.Louis

Springfield

Pontiac

  • trolley ride, suspension bridges, river parks, Route 66 Museum, War Museum,and shopping

Utica

Bloomington-Normal