English Language Program
University of Idaho’s American Language and Culture Program (ALCP) is an intensive English language program designed to help you build the skills needed for academic success in the United States or to advance your professional career. Since 1992, ALCP has helped hundreds of students strengthen their English language abilities.
As a non-native English speaker, you’ll gain the linguistic, academic, social and cultural tools to confidently navigate university life in the U.S. Completing ALCP’s advanced level meets the English language proficiency requirement for full undergraduate admission and most graduate programs at U of I.
You’ll receive more than 18 hours of instruction per week through semester-long courses in the fall and spring, or a 10-week summer session. ALCP also offers customized short-term programs for student or professional groups. The program fosters a welcoming, international environment that values cultural and linguistic diversity on campus and in the community.
For questions about the online option or to request placement testing for online courses, please email alcp@uidaho.edu.
Upcoming ALCP sessions
Apply for ALCP at least three months before the term you plan to start. You’ll need to take an English placement exam before you begin to determine your starting level in the program. Exam dates may change, so check often for updates.
The ALCP calendar follows University of Idaho’s academic calendar, including add/drop deadlines. You're also required to attend New Student Orientation, where you’ll learn about ALCP policies, set up your university email, get your VandalCard (your student ID card) and review how to maintain your F-1 visa status.
Plan to arrive in Moscow one to three days before orientation so you’re rested and ready to meet fellow students, staff and faculty.
| Semester dates | Placement testing dates |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 — June 9 to Aug. 1 | Friday, June 6, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 — Aug. 25 to Dec. 19 | Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 — Jan. 14 to May 15 | Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 — May 18 to July 24 | Friday, May 15, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 — Aug. 24 to Dec. 18 | Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 — Jan. 13 to May 14 | Monday, Jan. 11, 2027 |
| Summer 2027 — May 17 to July 23 | Friday, May 14, 2027 |
ALCP application process and requirements
New student applications
Before applying to the American Language and Culture Program (ALCP), you must be at least 17 years old and present evidence of financial support for all expenses while studying in ALCP (complete the Certificate of Financial Responsibility and submit your bank documents as outlined below).
- Fill out the ALCP online application. This is due three months before the term you wish to start.
- Complete, sign and submit Certificate of Financial Responsibility (CFR). The Financial sponsor must sign the CFR.
- Submit your bank statement or financial guarantee. Funds must cover all tuition and living expenses expressed in CFR.
- Copy and submit the photo and information pages from your passport.
- After receiving all documents, Admissions will issue the I-20.
Visit International Admissions to learn more about the I-20.
Enrolled and admitted students
- Apply to ALCP. There is no application fee.
- Take the placement exam offered prior to the beginning of the semester. All students pay a one-time orientation fee of $100 which includes the cost of the placement exam.
- Based on the results of the placement exam, enroll in the recommended course or courses. Admitted students will be charged $35 per credit to enroll in ALCP courses. The School of Global Studies will remove any additional charges associated with ALCP enrollment (registration fees, program fees, international student fees, tuition, etc.) from your student account.
- ALCP faculty will check for advisor holds. It may be necessary to coordinate with advising to allow registration for the ALCP class. Learn how to register for classes.
For questions or to request a placement test, email alcp@uidaho.edu.
Elementary Level courses
ALCP 014-01 Elementary English Composition
In this elementary English composition course, you will learn the English alphabet and how to write simple sentences, progressing to paragraphs about yourself and familiar people and activities. You will focus on forming words, sentence development, basic paragraph structure and appropriate mechanics.
ALCP 014-20 Elementary English Reading
In this elementary reading course, you will learn the alphabet, 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 course, you will develop oral fluency and communicative English language skills to use in basic academic and social conversations. You will develop functional language to apply in everyday social situations, improve pronunciation and intonation to speak more clearly and develop control of grammar.
ALCP 015-20: Elementary English Listening
In this elementary listening course, you will 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.
Intermediate Level courses
ALCP 014-02 Intermediate English Composition
In this intermediate English composition course, you will develop academic writing skills. The writing focus is on creating fully developed paragraphs that emphasize main ideas and provide supporting details. You will also learn to develop 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 course, you will further develop the reading skills you need to understand written English. You will expand your reading comprehension strategies and vocabulary through extensive readings.
ALCP 015-02 Intermediate English Speaking
In this intermediate English-speaking course, you will develop oral fluency and communicative language in complex social and academic conversations. You will participate in discussion groups, accomplish group tasks, demonstrate appropriate presentation skills and conduct interviews with expert English speakers. You will further develop your functional language in social situations and improve your pronunciation and intonation to speak more fluently.
ALCP 015-40 Intermediate English Listening
In this intermediate listening course, you will learn to identify and engage with main ideas and details using authentic academic listening activities. You will further 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.
Advanced Level courses
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 course, you will develop critical reading strategies and apply them to authentic academic texts. You will 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 course, you will recognize verbal cues, ask appropriate questions during lectures and give research-based presentations. You will focus on critical questioning of content and analyzing the logical elements of argumentation.
ALCP 015-60 Advanced English Listening
In this advanced listening course, you will develop discrete listening skills through listening to authentic academic lectures and culturally relevant topics. You will learn to recognize verbal cues and ask appropriate questions during lectures. You will 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.
Grades
To advance to the next level, you must achieve a minimum of 70 percent to pass individual courses. You 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 you 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
Reading
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.
Composition
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.
Listening
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.
Speaking
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.
Grammar
Elementary through Advanced Levels
Apply functional knowledge of grammar points through games, activities and error correction of your own work, in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
ALCP faculty and staff
Laurel Gilbert
Senior instructor
312B Administration Building
208-885-7846
laurelg@uidaho.edu
Ibtesam Hussein
Senior instructor
304A Administration Building
208-885-7215
ihussein@uidaho.edu
Jami Redmon
Program specialist
Administration 204
208-885-7110
jredmon@uidaho.edu