The ILC offers a continuum of English language services for students from those who are illiterate in their native language to those preparing for college and graduate school. Program activities aim to support The ILC’s original vision of an intensive, academic, English immersion, student-centered language program that meets the interests and goals of its students.

Classes are offered free of charge, twelve months a year in three four-month sessions. English is taught through total immersion as each class enrolls students from many countries who collectively speak numerous languages. The curriculum balances skill and content, and instruction is focused on learner-generated work and life situations. In addition to English skills, students gain leadership, problem solving, organizational, and job skills. As students gain English proficiency, they achieve greater self-confidence, self-sufficiency, and the ability to contribute and participate in the community and workforce.

ILC staff determines the language needs and personal and education goals of each student at the time of student enrollment and are thereby able to design ESL programs around the needs of each individual. What we have discovered with this process is the high level of education and training that many of our students possess from their native countries. Approximately two-thirds of our current students are high school graduates. One-third are college graduates or have completed some college courses or post-secondary training. However, without the knowledge of English, these highly-skilled individuals have a limited opportunity to contribute to society or significantly move up the salary ladder.