What languages are offered at the Monterey Institute?
During the academic year, we offer 200-400 level Arabic, 300-400 level Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. 300 level is 3rd year and 400 level is 4th year university level course.
Can I take elementary and intermediate level language courses at the Monterey Institute?
Yes, you can take the Institute’s Summer Intensive, Winter Intensive, and year-round ESL programs. These programs offer 1st and 2nd year university level courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. (http://language.miis.edu/ifl/index.html).
I heard the language curriculum at MIIS is different from other universities. What are the major differences?
There are two major differences:
- Only advanced-level courses are offered during the academic year.
- Most language courses are content-based (international relations, politics, business, language pedagogy, etc.). Very few courses only teach grammar or literature for its own sake.
What is a “Monterey Model” course?
A “Monterey Model” course is a multi-language and multi-disciplinary content based language course. It combines several language sections that meet in a UN-style setting with interpreters from the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation. Some titles of the Monterey Model courses are: The European Union, Current Issues in Nonproliferation, and Challenges of Globalization.
What teaching methodology is used in language classes?
The goal of most language courses is to improve students’ ability to communicate in the language fluently, appropriately, and accurately. Many teachers use a learner-centered approach in their teaching. They also endeavor to make the language classes relevant, meaningful, and useful to students.
Frequently Asked Questions About English for Academic and Professional Purposes (EAPP)
What is EAPP?
The EAPP program is a part of the Language Studies Program at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. The program is designed to help international graduate students to succeed in their academic course work at MIIS by offering courses in oral speaking and presentation skills as well as academic writing and writing for specific purposes.
Who takes EAPP classes?
The EAPP program serves international graduate students who are currently working towards their MA in one of the four graduate programs at MIIS. In certain cases, qualified candidates who are not currently working towards an MA, but who are looking to improve their academic skills and who place at the 300 level on the EAPP written exam, may take EAPP courses as a non-degree student. For more information see EAPP courses as a non-degree student.
How do I know if I am required to take an EAPP class?
Students are placed into EAPP classes based on the following:
- Your standardized TOEFL scores (students who place between 550 – 620 (PBT) or 213-260 (CBT) or 79 – 105 (iBT) must take the EAPP placement test;
- Your original EAPP placement exam scores;
- Your performance and progress in the current semester’s EAPP course(s) as reported by the instructor(s);
- Your individual graduate program requirements (IB, IPS, MPA, IEP, ITP, MBA);
- and the number of required EAPP units left before you satisfy the Institute’s 12-unit language component.
If I am a native speaker of English studying for an undergraduate degree at MIIS, do I still need to take the EAPP placement exam?
If you are a native speaker of English and you are enrolled as a student seeking a BA in International Studies (BAIS), you are required to take the EAPP written placement exam during orientation.
What is the EAPP placement exam like?
The EAPP exam consists of two parts: a written section and an oral interview. The written section tests the student’s ability to read and write academically at the graduate level. The oral exam consists of a short, informal oral interview to determine a student’s spoken proficiency in English. The placement exams are scheduled during the first week of fall and spring orientation. Make up exams are always given on the first Tuesday from 12:00 – 14:00 following orientation week. Please see your orientation materials for more details.
Who is required to take the EAPP placement exam?
The following students must take the EAPP placement exam during orientation:
- Students whose TOEFL score is between 550-620 (paper based) or 218 – 260 (computer based) or 105 (iBT);
- Students whose TOEFL score was waived;
- Students whose TOEFL was above 620, but who still want take an EAPP class;
- BAIS students; and
- Non-degree students would are interested in taking EAPP classes.
If my TOEFL score was waived because I went to undergraduate institution in the U.S. , should I take the EAPP placement exam?
If you studied at an undergraduate institution and/or the admissions office waived your TOEFL score, you are still required to take the EAPP placement exam during orientation. The purpose of taking the exam is to determine if you need any additional academic support while studying at MIIS.
Can I take an EAPP class if my TOEFL is over 620 (PBT) or 260 (CBT) or 105 (iBT)?
If your TOEFL score is above 620 (PBT) or 260 (CBT) or 105 (iBT)you are welcome to take an EAPP class, but you will need to take the placement exam in order to determine which course is best suited for your needs. Placement exams are administered during orientation. If you are unable to take the placement exam during orientation, please contact Lisa Leopold, the EAPP program head at lisa.leopold@miis.edu
What happens if I fulfill my EAPP units early?
Based on the results of your placement test you might be required to take only 4, 8, or 10 units of EAPP. In that case you can use the remaining units to take additional EAPP classes, study a new language, or take additional electives in your field.
What is a typical EAPP class like (i.e., program methodology)?
The EAPP program matches the students’ individual program needs with their current level of written and spoken fluency in English. Classes are dynamic and focus on the learner. For example, students can expect to learn through various interactive activities that use pair and group work to maximize learning. Students are expected to contribute to each class by attending class regularly and by participating actively. Course materials integrate materials students are reading, writing, and discussing in their content area courses. Students will find that they can immediately apply what they learn in their EAPP classes to their work in their content courses.
What does a typical EAPP degree course schedule look like?
Depending on how you score on the EAPP placement exam, you can expect to take at least one speaking or writing class each semester. To exemplify the individualized nature of EAPP requirements, consider the following hypothetical scenarios:
Student A was an MBA student who received an average speaking score and a low writing score on the EAPP placement exam. TOEFL results indicated adequate listening skills, but marginal vocabulary skills for graduate study. From semester to semester, Student A’s EAPP instructors saw some improvement in the areas of writing, but they felt this improvement was not substantial enough for Student A to complete the Business Plan successfully, let alone professional writing in English after graduation, without continued writing instruction at the graduate level. Here was Student A’s EAPP course of study at MIIS:
1st semester: Business Communication (4 units)
2nd semester: Advanced Writing & Research (4 units)
3rd semester: Public Speaking (4 units)
Student B entered MIIS with approximately the same language skills as Student A, but Student B studied IPS.
1st semester: Content Writing (2 units)
1st semester: Advanced Writing & Research (2 units)
2nd semester: Editing Writing (4 units)
3rd semester: Public Speaking (4 units)
Student C was an IPS student who entered MIIS with a low speaking score on the EAPP placement exam. Although his writing skills were well developed at the rhetorical level, improvement was needed with word choice, punctuation, and making his writing clearer and more concise at the sentence level. In order to help him with his weak speaking skills and refine his writing style at the sentence level, this was Student C's course of study at the Institute:
1st semester: Oral Communication (2 units)
2nd semester: American Pronunciation (2 units)
3rd semester: Public Speaking (4 units)
What subject matter do EAPP classes cover?
EAPP offers a variety of advanced courses to help you strengthen your academic writing, reading, speaking, and listening skills so that you can succeed in your graduate courses. Such courses include oral communication, research paper writing, editing, and American pronunciation.
In addition to our advanced academic language courses, we also offer field-specific courses such as business communication, public speaking, and policy writing. In these courses, students learn to use the English of their content area more effectively. Projects include researching skills, analyzing case studies, drafting policy memos, research papers, resumes, and producing professional portfolios for the workplace. As you can see, our courses are designed to build on your accomplishments as learners of English and to help you succeed both academically and professionally. For more information on EAPP classes, check our list of course offerings.
What is the average number of students in an EAPP class?
EAPP class sizes are small, ranging from ten to fifteen students.
Who are the faculty?
EAPP courses are taught by two full-time instructors, Lisa Leopold, Program Head, and Kelley Calvert. Both Lisa and Kelley are experienced teachers of English for academic and professional purposes.
Can I audit EAPP courses?
It is not permissible to audit an EAPP class. Auditing is primarily reserved for lecture courses and workshops, but not language courses. Language courses depend on full student participation (i.e. mandatory class attendance and assignment completion). Auditors do not submit work and the professor is not obliged to read or give feedback.
What is the difference between EAPP degree and non-degree courses?
EAPP degree courses are 300–400 level academic courses for international graduate students who are currently working towards their MA at MIIS. EAPP non-degree courses are pre-academic 100 and 200 level classes for students who are not currently enrolled in a degree program. Non-degree students may take 300 – 400 courses if they meet the minimum language requirements (e.g., TOEFL score above 550 and/or results of EAPP written placement exam). For more information see EAPP courses as a non-degree student
What is summer EAPP200/210?
EAPP 200 (academic reading and writing) and EAPP 210 (academic speaking and listening) is designed for students who have been admitted to or provisionally admitted to Monterey Institute degree programs or who are intending to apply for admission as well as students who plan to attend graduate level degree programs at other institutions. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for academic work at the graduate level as well as to develop their general English language proficiency.
EAPP 200/210 is an intensive course that meets 15 hours per week during the summer term, and, offered in combination with advanced English as a Second Language classes, 16 hours per week during fall and spring academic terms.
The topics covered in the program include:
- Understanding class lectures and discussions.
- Participating in class discussions.
- Understanding and using academic reading material, in order to use this material in academic speaking and writing tasks.
- Writing academic papers.
Students work with authentic academic discourse from Monterey Institute graduate classes as well as with readings from various academic sources. Students also develop library skills need to locate and use a variety of academic sources.
For more information on EAPP200 or on taking upper division EAPP course as a non-degree student, please contact Patricia Szasz, Intensive English as a Second Language (IESL) program director at patricia.szasz@miis.edu.
If I have a question about EAPP courses, who do I contact?
If you have and questions about EAPP requirements for degree students not already answered on this FAQ list, please contact the program head, Lisa Leopold, at lisa.leopold@miis.edu.
If you have questions about EAPP200 or on taking upper division EAPP course as a non-degree student, please contact Patricia Szasz, IESL program director at patricia.szasz@miis.edu
GSLEL faculty provide students in all Institute graduate programs with advanced instruction in seven primary languages. With their extensive backgrounds in linguistics, business language, political science, and environmental issues, the language faculty offer unique perspectives and develop practical exercises for advancing foreign language acquisition.
Faculty at the Monterey Institute are chosen not only for their academic and professional credentials, but for the breadth and depth of their international experience. Our outstanding teachers are here to serve you.
