American Language & Culture Program
University of Idaho's American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) is an intensive English language program designed to help students develop the skills necessary to succeed in academic programs in the United States or to further their professional careers. Since its beginning in 1992, the ALCP has helped hundreds of students improve their English language abilities.
The mission of the American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) is to provide non-native speakers of English with the linguistic, academic, social and cultural skills necessary to successfully navigate university environments in the United States. We promote internationalization at University of Idaho and encourage respect for linguistic and cultural diversity on the campus and in the community. Completion of the ALCP advanced level fulfills English proficiency requirements for full undergraduate admission as well as for most graduate programs.
The ALCP offers 18+ hours per week of instruction. We offer semester-long courses in the fall and spring, and a 10-week session in the summer. We also provide short-term programs for groups of students or professionals. For questions about the online option or to request placement testing for online courses, please email alcp@uidaho.edu.
Upcoming Sessions
Application deadlines are three months before the term you wish to start. English placement exams are required, and testing dates are subject to change. The exam will assess English proficiency to determines the level a student will be placed in. The ALCP calendar is consistent with the university Academic Calendar for add and drop class deadlines. New Student Orientation is required as an opportunity to learn about ALCP policies and procedures, set up their university email, get a student ID card, and maintain F-1 student visa status. Please arrive 1-3 days early so your mind is fresh and ready to meet students, staff and faculty.
| Semester Dates | Placement Testing Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 — Aug. 19 to Dec. 13 | Thursday, Aug. 15 |
| Spring 2025 — Jan. 8 to May 9 | Monday, Jan. 6 |
| Summer 2025 — May 12 to July 18 | Friday, May 9 |
Course Descriptions
The ALCP provides three levels of English with elementary being the lowest English proficiency level and advanced being the highest. Students reach higher levels as they progress and achieve learning outcomes and gain proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, composition and grammar. Students may earn up to nine undergraduate General Education credits through their ALCP Advanced coursework.
ALCP 014-01 Elementary English Composition
In this elementary composition English course, students learn the English alphabet and learn how to write simple sentences progressing to paragraphs about themselves, and familiar people and activities. The focus is on forming words, sentence development, basic paragraph structure, and appropriate mechanics.
ALCP 014-20 Elementary English Reading
In this elementary reading English course, students learn the alphabet and develop reading strategies and build basic vocabulary using short stories and articles with simple structures.
ALCP 015-01: Elementary English Speaking
In this elementary speaking English course, students develop oral fluency and communicative language in basic academic and social conversations. Students develop functional language to be applied in everyday social situations, improve pronunciation and intonation to speak more clearly, and develop control of elementary grammar.
ALCP 015-20: Elementary English Listening
In this elementary listening English course, students learn to identify and engage with main ideas and details through listening activities and discussions.
ALCP 012-05 ALCP English Grammar
In this workshop style class, students of all levels will practice and apply grammar points they have learned in their core classes.
ALCP 014-02 Intermediate English Composition
In this intermediate composition English course, students develop academic writing skills. The writing focus is on creating developed paragraphs, emphasizing main ideas and supporting details, and developing well-structured and meaningful short essays using a variety of rhetorical modes common in U.S. higher education.
ALCP 014-40 Intermediate English Reading
In this intermediate reading English course, students develop academic reading skills. Students expand reading comprehension strategies and vocabulary through extensive readings.
ALCP 015-02 Intermediate English Speaking
In this intermediate speaking English course, students develop oral fluency and communicative language in complex social and academic conversations. Students participate in discussion groups, accomplish group tasks, demonstrate appropriate presentation skills, and conduct interviews with expert English speakers. Students further develop their functional language applied in social situations and improve their pronunciation and intonation to speak more fluently.
ALCP 015-40 Intermediate English Listening
In this intermediate listening English course, students learn to identify and engage with main ideas and details using authentic academic listening activities. Students develop notetaking and summarizing skills.
ALCP 012-05 ALCP English Grammar
In this workshop style class, students of all levels will practice and apply grammar points they have learned in their core classes.
ALCP 014-03 Advanced English Composition
In this advanced composition English course, students write and revise well-developed short responses and essays that evaluate and synthesize information from academic sources.
ALCP 014-60 Advanced English Reading
In this advanced reading English course, students develop critical reading strategies and apply them to authentic academic texts. Students write and revise well-developed short responses that evaluate and synthesize information from academic sources.
ALCP 015-03 Advanced English Speaking
In this advanced speaking English course, students recognize verbal cues, ask appropriate questions during lectures, and give research-based presentations. Students focus on critical questioning of content and analyzing the logical elements of argumentation.
ALCP 015-60 Advanced English Listening
In this advanced listening English course, students develop discrete listening skills through listening to authentic academic lectures and culturally relevant topics. Students recognize verbal cues and ask appropriate questions during lectures. Students focus on critical questioning of content and analyzing the logical elements of argumentation.
ALCP 012-05 ALCP English Grammar
In this workshop style class, students of all levels will practice and apply grammar points they have learned in their core classes.
Achievement Scale and Interpretation
The following achievements and skills are evaluated on a scale to determine level advancement in the American Language and Culture Program.
In order to advance to the next level, students must have a minimum of 70 percent to pass individual courses. Students should try to achieve 80 percent or higher in individual courses to ensure preparedness for the next level. A GPA less than 2.0 indicates unsatisfactory progress and may be placed on academic probation.
- A (90-100 percent) Passes
- B (80-89 percent) Passes
- C (70-79 percent) Passes
- D (60-69 percent) Passes
- F (Below 60 percent) Must Repeat Course
Elementary Level
Identify key information in common texts such as menus, advertisements, forms, short stories and articles and answer short questions about them.
Intermediate Level
Read and critically connect individual experiences with popular and academic articles and short stories. Demonstrate understanding through oral and written responses.
Advanced Level
Read, analyze and evaluate varied popular and academic (including scholarly) articles and demonstrate understanding by responding to, summarizing and synthesizing ideas.
Elementary Level
Write basic paragraphs that describe daily activities, familiar people and places using correct punctuation, capitalization, verb tense, word order and spelling.
Intermediate Level
Write cohesive short essays with an introductory, body and concluding paragraphs; and write summaries that attribute source. Write cohesive and coherent short answer responses in various rhetorical modes with few grammatical errors interfering with meaning.
Advanced Level
Write multi-page essays which analyze, evaluate and synthesize ideas from texts, with few distracting grammatical errors.
Elementary Level
Identify main ideas and details in conversations and short talks about a variety of everyday topics and that use a variety of language functions. Demonstrate understanding in conversations by following directions, answering questions and adding new content to discussions.
Intermediate Level
Identify main ideas and details in interpersonal and academic classroom setting spoken language; take and use organized notes and summarize information. Show understanding of authentic input by asking/answering questions, and participating in and facilitating discussions, debates, and other group tasks.
Advanced Level
Demonstrate understanding of complex and abstract academic oral discourse in formal and informal settings by critically responding to it in speaking and writing. Take notes while listening that can be used to inform discussion, presentations and other academic oral and written communication.
Elementary Level
Respond accurately in conversations by following directions, answering questions and adding new content to discussions. Share stories, personal experiences and short presentations using mostly complete sentences with a little hesitation and/or repetition.
Intermediate Level
Show understanding of authentic interpersonal and academic input by asking/answering questions, participating in and facilitating discussions, debates, and other group tasks. Give a clear and cohesive formal presentation on a topic of study with little hesitation, and few vocabulary, pronunciation, or grammar mistakes that impede understanding.
Advanced Level
Critically respond to complex and abstract academic discourse in formal and informal settings. Share complex and abstract ideas in discussions, formal and impromptu presentations, and teaching scenarios with minimal interference from language- related issues.
Elementary through Advanced Levels
Apply functional knowledge of grammar points through games, activities, and error correction of their own work, in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
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