Course information
In the five levels of the Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP), students will practice and develop the English language skills needed to be successful in their university studies, as well as in Canadian culture.
On this page:
Course content
Listening and Speaking
- Students will develop strategies for understanding and responding to spoken English in both academic and non-academic settings.
- Students will learn how to follow lectures, identify key ideas and concepts, understand idiomatic and technical language, and take effective notes.
- Students will participate in a variety of formal and informal speaking activities, with a focus on improving confidence, clarity of ideas, and fluency.
- Students will prepare and give speeches and presentations, and engage in role-plays and impromptu speaking.
- Students will learn skills to confidently analyze and share information, as well as how to question and express informed opinions.
- Students will receive constructive feedback on their pronunciation, with a focus on improving their ability to communicate effectively in different English environments.
Reading and Writing
- Students will read and discuss a variety of texts, develop strategies to learn and recall vocabulary, and increase reading fluency.
- Students will learn and practice critical thinking skills, effective note taking methods, and how to write a variety of sentences, including those with advanced grammatical structures.
- Students will learn and practice paragraph organization and development and write various types of academic essays to increase written fluency.
- Students will learn and practice effective strategies for editing, paraphrasing and summarizing.
Research and Study Skills
- Students will learn important study and research skills through workshops and presentations.
- Students will learn about academic integrity and apply its' principles to their class assignments.
- Students will learn how to access the resources available to them and how to use the University of Manitoba Libraries effectively in their research.
- Students will participate in group assignments to facilitate their knowledge in various roles in group work.
- Students will develop skills and strategies for studying university textbooks and readings, as well as practice exam-taking strategies.
Remote classes (videos)
Listening Class - Notetaking
Listening Class - Vocabulary
Speaking Class
Writing Class
Reading Class
Can't access YouTube? Click these links to watch our videos
Class schedule
Students must be available to study in-person or remotely (and be in “live” classes), Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am – 1:50 pm Canada Central Standard Time (CDT). Classes will end by 1:20 pm Canada CDT.
The following changes have been adopted to provide a better study experience for students:
- Additional support for students will be offered from 1:20-1:50 pm Canada CST. This is optional.
- A wellness break is scheduled halfway through the daily class schedule
Technical requirements
IAEP students are required to have access to UM Learn and Zoom. These online learning platforms use a number of different technologies that require a modern computer and internet access. Students must verify that they meet the following technical requirements prior to course registration
Technical requirements for UM Learn
- Computer with Windows 8, 10, or Mac OS 10.11+
- Latest version of either Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge web browsers.
- JavaScript and cookies enabled.
- Adobe Flash Player version 26 or greater installed.
- Run a system check at to verify that you system is configured properly.
- Must be able to install and run Respondus Lockdown Browser – used for secure online testing, in some courses.
- Broadband internet access (minimum bandwidth of 512 Kbps)
- Speakers or headphones.
- Microphone.
Source: https://centre.cc.umanitoba.ca/technology/umlearn/#techreq
Technical requirements for Zoom
System requirements for PC, Mac and Linux
- An internet connection – broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
- Speakers and a microphone – built-in or USB plug-in or wireless Bluetooth
- A webcam or HD webcam - built-in or USB plug-in
- Or, a HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card
Further requirements can be found at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us
Textbooks
Students will be required to purchase new textbooks. Students will be emailed the list of required textbooks prior to the start of classes. All textbooks are available at the
University of Manitoba Bookstore
Instructors
Instructors at the English Language Centre have a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language. Many have taught in cross-cultural environments, completed graduate work and are experienced in teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Instructors participate regularly in professional development opportunities.
Policies
Attendance Policy
Class attendance is important in an intensive academic program. To be successful in the program and to see improvement in language and academic skills, students must attend regularly and participate fully; therefore, the English Language Centre has an attendance policy that students must follow. Students may not have more than 10.0 absences in any one component, or they will not pass their level.
Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy
Students must abide by the University of Manitoba’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy when attending class.
English Use Policy
The IAEP has an English-Use policy for the classroom. This is to support student success and development, and to ensure that ALL feel welcome and included in the class.
Contact Us
English Language Centre
520 University Centre
University of Manitoba (Fort Gary Campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
1-204-474-9251
1-204-275-8098
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm