By Megan Alexander
Since 1978, UNO has offered a program for international students called New Intensive English (ILUNO). Students are required to be in class for 21 hours per week, with each session lasting eight weeks. This program is year -round, giving students small breaks for Christmas and summer.
Students in ILUNO collaborate with program instructors to evaluate their English ability and select language classes at one of five levels – beginning to advanced.
Instructors for ILUNO each teach several topics, including: grammar and writing, reading and vocabulary, listening, pronunciation, critical thinking skills, and university exam preparation. University preparation refers to the TOEFL, IELTS, and GRE.
Instructors are available daily in the Arts and Sciences Hall to assist students for any extra help they need.
ILUNO instructor Jessica Anderson said teaching these students is her dream job. “I get to meet students from all over the world. They’re such bright scholars and they’re so proud of themselves when they get here, as they should be. They get here, and they think, wow, I finally got here. It’s a huge deal for them in their country. They jump through all these hoops to get here, so when they do arrive, they are thrilled.”
Once classes start, students in this program get overwhelmed, Anderson said. “It’s called intensive English for a reason,” she laughed. “But I tell them, you don’t want to stay in this program forever. It’s challenging now, but it will be worth it. Students are in this program for typically a year, and then start their four-year journey at UNO.”
Anderson encourages all interested to apply at UNO’s website.
