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What is an Intensive English Programme?


MartinL

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My grandson is enrolled in the Intensive English Programme at his small-town school in Udon Thani province, 200+ km from us. He's 10 and has been on the programme for about 4 years. His English is almost non-existent as far as I can tell although maybe he's just not confident - I hope that's the case. He seems to be no further along than 'How are you? - I'm fine, thank you' and some obviously scripted conversations that we've seen in videos. His grades in most subjects are good - high 3s - but poor in English.

 

I remember a long time back, when I was 10 and l had been learning French for about a year, I was shy to use the language, so I understand that aspect of it but I could at least make simple and spontaneous replies to questions from my teachers. He can't do this when I ask him very simple questions.

 

My question for those 'in the know' is this; What is an IEP? Is there any official definition/curriculum for these courses or is it just a designation used by the school for 'prestige'? What level of English should I expect, as a concerned grandad, at his age? 

 

My own interpretation of 'IEP' would be a course that concentrates on teaching in English but, while that might be the case in Big City schools, I'd guess it's different in schools of his type. I can get no information from his parents about the course content - I'm not sure they've actually asked about it at the school - and am left wondering whether or not he's wasting his time and his parents money on IEP. 

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Our son, now 15, studied @ private IEP from kindergarten. That plus studying French @ Alliance Francaise.


Result: he speaks fluently 3 languages (English, French, Thai).

 

BTW, it didn’t harm that we speak these languages at home!

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I can supply him with online English classes by a qualified UK London teacher with 20 years of experience. 

Have you gone to the school and checked how good the English is from the English so-called English teacher.

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