UW's Intensive English Program Welcomes New Students

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the University of Wyoming’s Intensive English Program (IEP) is experiencing renewed energy as it continues to rebound from COVID-19 challenges. This academic year, the program welcomed six students from five countries, including Vietnam, Russia, China, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates.

The IEP is a 12-credit semester-long language immersion course housed in UW’s English Language Center (ELC). Since 2015, the program has been instrumental in helping students enhance academic English proficiency, integrate into the community, and prepare for degree-seeking studies at UW. 

Like many university and college English language programs, UW’s IEP saw a significant decline in enrollment following the pandemic. Travel restrictions, visa appointment backlogs, and rising travel costs created barriers that kept many prospective students from pursuing in-person language study in Wyoming.

This year, however, marks a turning point. Although the program is still in rebuilding mode, the current group of students is contributing to IEP’s future success. “Each student brings a unique cultural background, a unique personal story,” said Dr. Marian Stordahl, lead lecturer at the ELC. “Their motivation to learn and fresh perspectives enrich our classroom learning activities,” Stordahl said.

The current cohort of students is also eager to embrace college life and play a part in the Pokes community. One of the defining aspects of UW’s IEP is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students don’t just develop language skills in the classroom—they apply them in real-world settings through social events, cultural excursions, and academic programs around campus.

“Language learning isn’t just about grammar and vocabulary,” said IEP instructor Erika Christianson. “It’s about communication, culture, and confidence,” said Christianson. Christianson also serves as the ELC’s curriculum planner and is a key player in the program’s newfound invigoration.

“We’re exploring creative ways to extend the students' language learning beyond the classroom walls. Through immersive field trips to Medicine Bow National Forest, the UW Planetarium, and our campus museums, students have meaningful opportunities to develop fluency and discourse skills in real-world situations,” Christianson said.

One of those real-world excursions brought IEP and other international students up to the Happy Jack area for a winter adventure.

For some, it was the first time they experienced snow:

“We had a trip to the snowy hills near Laramie. It was wonderful [to be outside] with my teacher and friends,” said IEP student Bin Thuy Ngo. “l saw beautiful scenes that l had only seen on TV before.”

Christianson noted that these place-based experiences not only contribute to language learning in practical ways, but also connect students with their new community, fostering a deeper sense of place and cultural awareness.

As the UW IEP continues to grow, the impact extends beyond the students it serves directly. The IEP plays a crucial role in positioning Wyoming as a welcoming and globally-minded institution—one where students from all over the world can find their voice.