Northwestern Polytechnic University (NPU) announced it had received accreditation by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), the only specialized, independent U.S. national assessment organization that sets standards for English programs in higher education institutions.

The Council recognizes the CEAA for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

NPU’s Intensive English Program (IEP) will now be included in CHEA’s Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs database.

This is significant because the IEP has become an integral part of NPU’s success, as more than 1,000 students enroll annually to study English for academic purposes.

The IEP collaborates with the university’s academic programs to provide students with additional learning opportunities through orientation sessions, presentations, and guest speakers. Students also participate in workshops and activities during their free time for further cultural integration and communication.

Helping Non-English Speaking Students Succeed

According to The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) 2015 Open Doors Report, the number of international students in the United States has tripled over a decade—increasing 5 percent from 723,277 international students studying at all levels in the U.S. during the 2014-2015 academic year to a record high of more than one million students.

This increase reflects the growing demand for English language training for international students across the nation. NPU’s IEP is a key part of the university’s mission to provide English language training and American educational opportunities to students worldwide.

IEP students come from more than 90 countries, with an increasing number coming from China, followed by India, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea. Providing students with an authentic learning environment that addresses the varying academic needs of non-native English speakers is vital to their success.

To help maintain this standard, NPU provides educational resources and support that help students reach their potential. The IEP offers four levels of instruction: pre-beginner, beginner, intermediate and advanced. Students can enroll in courses up to five times per week on campus or online. They are also provided access to textbooks, laptops, language assessment tests, and student portals.

In addition to the IEP’s academic program, students have access to other services on campus, including housing, dining facilities, and recreational activities. The university also supports faculty members who are dedicated to teaching English as a second language.

Meeting the Needs of Silicon Valley Employers

In recent years, the demand for English language training has increased from students entering colleges and universities and from corporations seeking to develop a bilingual workforce.

Silicon Valley is one of the major hubs in the U.S., where companies have been on a hiring spree over the past few years – creating a huge demand for international talent. In addition, large corporations, including Apple, IBM, and Google, have hired foreign workers because of the language barrier.

Many universities have created English learning programs to train for a higher degree simultaneously in response to this demand. The IEP has partnered with several major colleges and universities in Silicon Valley to prepare students for these opportunities. These partnerships have added to the university’s success in meeting the educational needs of international students.