What IELP Students say about the IELP

Hello, my name is Azamat. I'm a former 2022 fall ESL CSU student. I would like to share my study experience at the CSU IELP course. First, I want to thank all of my teachers, Dr. Michele, Ilya, Corina, and Alevtyna. They were very attentive, careful, and pleasurable. Their teaching approach led me to focus on my study. Of course, that wasn't easy, but little by little my English skill was improving. You might ask me how I knew that my knowledge was getting better, so I made one test, at the beginning of the course, I watched the TV show "Friends" on YouTube, and back then I understood about 50% of it, often having to look up the translation of some words in Google Translate. However, I stopped doing that because I had to do homework. After finishing the course, I decided to watch it again just to practice, but to my surprise, I understood almost everything; I was very happy.  That's how I found out my English became better.

Studying English in CSU's IELP will not give you just a score in TOEFL, IELTS and etc, it also gives you new friends, new knowledge like the cultures of other countries, because your classmates will be from India, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, China, and etc like I had. It was a great experience and time for me. From my side, I wish you good luck and remember the expression "The road will be overcome by the one who walks"!

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Fulya Arpaci (Turkey)
What did you like best about studying at CSU?
What I like best about studying at CSU is the relationships between the teachers and the students. The teachers are always so understanding and patient with us. They do not just teach you English. They also teach you about American customs/culture too.
What do you miss most about home?
I miss Turkish food the most. The people here eat a lot of hamburgers and pizza. When I eat it all the time it makes me miss my country more each time.
How long have you been studying here? How has your English improved? How has this program helped you to handle future study at a U.S. university?
I have been studying at CSU for about 4 months. Here at CSU I have learned more English in my time here then I would have learned in 1 year of English in my home country. The most important thing to me is the confidence it has given me about studying and working in my field here in America.

Sang Ming (South Korea)
What did you like best about studying here (in the IELP or the US)?
What I liked best about studying in the IELP was that I could learn English with good teachers. Even if I couldn't understand what they say to me in English, they kept trying to make me understand. Moreover, the teachers were not just teachers. They were like my friends and sometimes like my parents. Because of them, I became a college student in the United States.
What do you miss most about home?
To me, It was my family. By staying in the United States, I realized how important my family is for me. I appreciate my family, especially my parents.
How long have you been studying here? How has your English improved? How has this program helped you to handle future study at a U.S. university?
I have been here for about a year. When I first came here, I couldn't speak English well. I could say "Hi" or "How are you?". However, this program helped me a lot. Now I am not afraid to talk to American people and make American friends. Also, The program helped me so that I can study very well in a U.S. university now.
What is your advice to other students who are considering studying English in the U.S.A.?
If you decide to study in the U.S.A., you have to study English very hard and try to speak English every time. It is never easy to speak and write English. Unless you can do that, you are not able to do anything in the U.S.A. It takes time for you to be good at English. Don't Give Up. When I studied English here, I realized that " No Pain, No Gain".

Pornphrom "Bee" (Thailand)

What do you like best about studying here?
I like the small classes at the IELP.  I made a good relationship with my teachers and could have a lot of attention.  I also made a lot of friends with my classmates.
What do you miss most about home? 
I miss my family the most, but I also miss Thai food.
How long have you been studying here? How has your English improved?  How has this program helped you to handle future study at a U.S. university?
I started studying here in January 2005.  My writing and reading have improved.  When I saw my first writing after one semester, I couldn't believe it.  I improved my writing so much.  I kept my writing.  I also understand more about reading because of my writing.
What is your advice to other students who are considering studying English in the U.S.A.?
First, know that it is not easy.  There are a lot of new things, like living alone, a different language and culture. You need to prepare yourself and your mind to accept every different situation and problems.  You have to be strong and confident and use your best ability, so you can solve any problem.  You will not be shy about any problem anymore. Also, positive thinking will help you with everything.