Student Testimonials

IELI prepared me to thrive as a Ph.D. student in Special Education by strengthening my academic communication and giving me the confidence to engage fully in scholarly work. Through IELI, I learned how to analyze research, write with clarity, and present complex ideas, skills I now rely on daily in my coursework, research, and collaborations. Just as importantly, IELI helped me adapt to U.S. academic culture, which has allowed me to focus on advancing my research in special education and contributing to the global conversation on inclusive practices.”

“IELI was not just about learning English, it was about building a global community. That experience gave me lifelong friendships and the confidence to embrace diversity, which continues to shape how I approach my research and collaborations at UNT.

My advice to new IELI students is to embrace every opportunity the program offers, inside and outside the classroom. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, practice your English daily, and push yourself to give presentations, even if it feels intimidating at first. Most importantly, get involved in activities as much as possible, because those experiences not only improve your English but also help you build friendships and confidence. IELI is more than a language program, it’s a bridge to your academic success and a community that will support you every step of the way.

I chose to study English at IELI because I wanted to improve both my communication and writing skills, so I could easily transition into my graduate studies. These skills have contributed to improving my English in a significant way. I can easily write a research paper and annotated bibliography. I can listen to academic lectures with strong note taking abilities

The whole experience has benefited me in several ways. All the teachers used different and suitable teaching methods that increased our learning. I thank their professionalism.

I definitely recommend this program, not just because of the interesting teachers but also because of the caring staff members who are always ready to assist.

“IELI helped me improve my academic English skills, especially reading and writing, so I felt more confident in my UNT classes. It also introduced me to campus resources and American classroom culture, which made the transition much easier.”

What is your favorite memory from your time in the program?

My favorite memory was the friendships I built. We came from so many different countries, but we supported each other – studying together, practicing English, and even cooking meals from our cultures. That sense of community made IELI special for me.

What advice would you give to new IELI students?

Don’t be shy to speak English. Don’t worry about making mistakes. We are learning.

I want to say thank you to IELI for giving me confidence. It wasn’t just about learning English, it was about building friendships, understanding new cultures, and finding support when I needed it most.

IELI helped improve my speaking, listening, reading, and writing, which led to my TOEFL achievement.

What did you like most about your classes or teachers?

Teachers have multiple backgrounds, teaching experiences, and bilingual skills

What is your favorite memory form you time in the program?

The support, empathy and sympathy from the teachers and staff felt like being with siblings, family and home.

What would you say to a student who is thinking about joining the program?

IELI is the best choice. IELI can shape and connect you to where you want to go.

If I didn’t go to IELI I don’t think I would have been able to listen to my professors and understand my lessons without a lot of effort nor would I be comfortable with writing essays.

What is your favorite memory from your time in the program?

I loved when we went on trips: stockyards, state fair of Texas, and the gathering at Donna’s. I also appreciated meeting people from different parts of the world and learning about them and their culture. It enhanced my intercultural skills.

What advice would you give to new IELI students?

Whether you have no knowledge or a lot, be sure that you’ll leave this place confidently expressing in English. You don’t need to change your accent, there is not correct accent but there are correct ways of listening, writing, and speaking English. It’s ok to struggle and to make mistakes (ps: it will never stop!) and nobody’s perfect either.

Thank you for everything if it wasn’t for IELI I would have been so intimidated expressing myself in English among native speakers.

 

I chose this program because I wanted to improve my academic English and prepare for studying in an American university. I heard that the teachers here are professional and supportive, and the program offers a lot of opportunities to practice and get better at English.

What I loved most was the teachers, they are not only experienced but also very kind. They always made us feel comfortable asking questions or making mistakes, and if we needed more practice or even tutoring, the teachers were always happy to meet with us individually. The classes were interactive, fun, and very practical.

One of my favorite memories was the holiday event. IELI brought everyone together through fun activities and delicious food. The event included holiday introductions and cultural explanations, which helped us understand and experience American holiday traditions more deeply. It was a great way to learn about the culture while having fun with classmates.

What would you say to a student who is thinking about joining the program?

I would say don’t hesitate! Just do it! IELI is the best place to improve your English and meet amazing people from all over the world. It truly prepares you for your future in the U.S. Everyone here is incredibly patient and kind, including the staff at the main office. No matter what problem or questions you have, they will always try their best to help, and honestly, I haven’t had a single issue they couldn’t solve. As long as you don’t give up on yourself, no one here will give up on you! 100% recommend this program, I’m really glad I joined.

“I avoided speaking English most of the time when I was in Japan. However, in IELI classes, teachers encouraged me to speak English as much as possible, and I had many opportunities to speak English. I also gained confidence in my ability to communicate in English.”

“At first, I was very nervous but thanks to these activities in IELI, I made a lot of friends and learned a lot of new things. I can’t thank you enough”

“I could spend very enjoyable and valuable time at IELI. I enjoyed all experiences and meals!! I want to go to IELI again.”

“It was my first experience to learn English in English, and I was able to learn things that I couldn’t learn in Japan. Also, speaking English has allowed me to converse with many people and it gave me the opportunity to expand my perspective.”

“It was good to learn something more specialized. The factory tour was a good experience because I was able to get a closer look at manufacturing technology.”

“Lunch at the cafeteria was delicious. It was buffet style, so it was fun. UNT is very huge and has a lot of facilities, which I think is great. The UNT Football Game was fun too. I was glad that I was able to hear valuable stories from the teachers when I visited Discovery Park College of Information”

“I had a lot of fun at all the IELI events. I saw the Rodeo for the first time at the North Texas Fair and was overwhelmed by the excitement. It was also great to be able to eat real tacos.”

“I’m glad that I was able to hear valuable stories from all companies. It was a good experience for me.”

“It was good to learn something more specialized. The factory tour was a good experience because I was able to get a closer look at manufacturing technology.

“Thanks to the support I received in various aspects, my study abroad experience was very fulfilling. I really appreciate that.”