Academic English
Fall, Spring and Summer Program Dates
Spring 1, 2026 | January 12 – March 6
- Application deadline: Jan 1, 2026
Spring 2, 2026 | March 9 – May 8*
- Application deadline: Mar 3, 2026
Summer 2026 | May 11 – July 3
- Application deadline: May 1, 2026
Fall 1, 2026 | Aug 24 – Oct 16
- Application deadline: Aug 17, 2026
Fall 2, 2026 | Oct 19 – Dec 18**
- Application deadline: Dec 11, 2026
*Spring Break March 16 – 20, 2026
**Thanksgiving Break November 23 -27, 2026
Spring 1, 2027 | January 11 – March 5
- Application deadline: Jan 4, 2027
Spring 2, 2027 | March 8 – May 7*
- Application deadline: Mar 1, 2027
Summer 2027 | May 10 – July 2
- Application deadline: May 3, 2027
Fall 1, 2027 | Aug 23 – Oct 15
- Application deadline: Aug 16, 2027
Fall 2, 2027 | Oct 18 – Dec 17**
- Application deadline: Oct 11, 2027
*Spring Break March 15 – 19, 2027
**Thanksgiving Break November 22 -26, 2027
About Academic English
Academic English typically includes 18 hours of instruction per week, in 8 weeks sessions.
Academic English mission
- Provide high-quality intensive English language instruction to the culturally and linguistically diverse communities in a supportive, respectful atmosphere to help students meet their academic, personal, and professional goals
- Prepare our students academically and culturally by using innovative techniques and instructional methods to build and support the foundation for successful navigation of student life
- Increase Washington State University’s international standing by laying the foundation for all WSU students to become global citizens by integrating our students into all of the different aspects of WSU, such as undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and co-curricular offerings
The main program offers 7 levels of language instruction, from beginning to high advanced.
- True Beginner
- Beginner
- Low Intermediate
- Intermediate
- High Intermediate
- Advanced – Undergraduate study preparation (meets WSU language proficiency requirement for undergraduate admission)
- High Advanced – Graduate study preparation (meets WSU language proficiency requirement for graduate study)
Classes typically run from Monday mornings through Friday afternoons. You are expected to attend class and participate. There are 15 students or fewer in each class. Students come from all over the world. We speak only English in class.
You will find your classes and teachers’ offices are all located in the same building. You will receive individual attention and instruction from our teachers. Residence halls, apartments, and restaurants are a 5-10 minute walk from our building. We regularly offer social and cultural activities to prepare you for life in the United States and at Washington State University. You are welcome here.
Curriculum
Instruction focuses on building the speaking, listening, and writing skills that are essential to academic success.
Academic English consists of 18 hours of instruction per week. This means each student will take 18 core hours at each level.
Levels 0-4
- Reading/Composition
- Grammar
- Listening/Speaking
Level 5
- Academic Reading
- Academic Composition
- Academic Listening and Discussion
Level 6
- Academic Reading & Research
- Academic Listening & Discussion
- Academic Composition
Academic English Placement
Accepted English Language Tests
Tests: Cambridge; CSAT: College Scholastic Ability Test; Duolingo; Eiken; Gaokao; IELA: International English Language Test Assessment; IELTS: International English Language Testing System; ITEP: International Test of English Proficiency; LCA: Language Cert Academic; MET: Michigan English Test; Oxford ELLT: English Language Level Test; Password; PTEA: Pearson Test of English Academic; TOEFL Essentials: Test of English as a Foreign Language; TOEFL iBT: Internet-based Test
| Language Exam | Traditional Admission | 1-Term Undergraduate Foundation | 2-Semester / 1-Year Undergraduate Foundation | 2 Eight-Week Session* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge ELA | C1 Advanced | B2 First | B2 First | B1 Preliminary |
| Duolingo | 105 | 95 | 85 | 60 |
| Eiken | Level 1 | Level Pre-1 | Level 2A | Not Applicable |
| IELA | 176 | 169 | 162 | 154 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 5 |
| iTEP | 4 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.4 |
| Language Cert Academic | 70 | 65 | 60 | 50 |
| MET | 64 | 63 | 52 | 43 |
| Oxford ELLT | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Oxford Test of English | 140 | 125 | 118 | 110 |
| Password | Level 6.5 | Level 6 | Level 5 | Level 4 |
| PTEA | 58 | 47 | 44 | 41-43 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8 | 7.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
| Academic Exam | Traditional Admission | 1-Term Undergraduate Foundation | 2-Semester / 1-Year Undergraduate Foundation | 2 Eight-Week Session* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | 17 English and 19 Reading | 17 English and 19 Reading | 16 English and 17 Reading | Not Applicable |
| CSAT | Level 1 | Level 2 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Gaokao | 125 | 105 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| IGCSE English First Language | C/5+ | C/5+ | C/5+ | D/4 |
| IGCSE English Second Language | Not Applicable | A or B/6+ | C/5 | D/4 |
| SAT | 500 Evidence-based Reading and Writing | 500 Evidence-based Reading and Writing | 440 Evidence-based Reading and Writing | Not Applicable |
*1 eight-week session if going to a bridge program (Undergraduate Foundation, International Master’s programs) or 2 eight-week sessions if not. Longer session options are available, email ialc@wsu.edu for details.
Duolingo
For Duolingo tests, you will have to select Washington State University as your school of choice. Please read the rules and follow them CAREFULLY.
- Log in to englishtest.duolingo.com with the email address you used to take the test.
- Scroll down to your certified test results and click the “SEND RESULTS” button at the top next to “print results.”
- Select university for what you are applying to.
- Start typing Washington State University and select your choice using the checkbox. Be sure to select Undergraduate for your level.
- If you have an applicant ID, do not forget to add it!
- Press “Send.”
TOEFL
Your test fee includes up to 4 free official TOEFL score reports to be sent to the institutions, agencies, or other recipients that you select before you take the test. You can add or delete recipients through your ETS account until 10 p.m. (local test center time) on the day before your test.
- Log in to your TOEFL iBT account
- On the home page, select “Order Score Reports.” (You will need to register for a test date before you can do this step.)
- For Product Type, click “TOEFL Services” then click “Continue.”
- Select the test date you want to send the scores of and click “Continue.”
- Search for Washington State University and select it. Use the school code 4705.
IELTS
If you took your IELTS exam in a test center, you could request to send IELTS results to up to 5 organizations. We would prefer that you send the results to us electronically. Make this request with your test center.
IELTS One Skill Re-Take Policy for WSU
If you’d taken the IELTS and you did not do well on one of the skills, you can take the IELTS One Skill Retake at any test centre where it is offered within 60 days of the original test date.
More information is here: ILETS | One Skill Retake
Online test takers can send their results to as many institutions as they need.
Here is the information you will need for the request:
Name of department: International Undergraduate Admissions
Name of Institution: Washington State University
Email: international@wsu.edu
Address:
Office of International Programs International Undergraduate
PO Box 645115
Pullman, WA 99164-5115
USA
Academic English for Sessions
Student Fees
(Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027)
Academic English is offered in 8-week sessions. There are 2 sessions each in spring and fall, and 1 session in summer.
| Program Length (1 session = 8 weeks) | 1 session | 2 sessions | 3 sessions | 4 sessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $3,756 | $6,947 | $10,138 | $13,330 |
| Housing & meals | $3,167 | $6,333 | $9,500 | $12,668 |
| Books & supplies | $346 | $692 | $1,038 | $1,384 |
| Insurance* | $500 | $1000 | $1500 | $2000 |
| Other** | $548 | $1,096 | $1,644 | $2,192 |
| Total expenses | $8,317 | $16,068 | $23,820 | $31,574 |
*Insurance rates vary from session to session.
**Other costs include personal and miscellaneous expenses (for example, laundry, toiletries, health care expenses not covered by insurance, clothing, and entertainment) and will vary depending on personal preference.
Academic English for Part-Time
Student Fees
(Fall 2026, Spring 2026, and Summer 2027)
Yes, you can take a course in Academic English part-time.
| Class Hours | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $173 | $346 | $520 | $1,040 | $1,560 | $2,080 |
Please email ialc@wsu.edu with your questions.
