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Intensive English

Pacific International Academy

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Course description

Students in PIA’s Intensive English program in Portland, Oregon learn the skills and knowledge they need to study at universities in the US. There are six levels of classes, starting with English Basics and finishing with Level 5. PIA follows a quarter system, and each quarter is 10 weeks long. Students take classes that focus on grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Along with these subjects, students learn how to work in groups, use relevant technologies, and explore cultural topics.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary and Grammar

Class schedule

Course duration
10-40 weeks
Start dates
13 Jan 2025, 07 Apr 2025 and 30 Jun 2025
Classes per week
8 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 150 min)
Class days
Monday - Thursday

Class times

Morning session
09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon session
01:00 PM - 03:30 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 10 students
Maximum 20 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 20 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Established in 1997, PIA offers academic programming and student support services, emphasizing college study skills while providing opportunities for growth and development in a supportive learning environment. The school is accredited by Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and is a member of English USA. Collaborating with over 100 non-profit organizations, PIA provides experiential learning opportunities for students and strong community connections. Graduates of Intensive English, PIA’s core academic program, go on to study at U.S. institutions for higher learning, pursue career paths that require English language skills, or fulfill personal goals. PIA's instructors are highly qualified, and most have advanced degrees in teaching. PIA is located on the campus of Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Year opened
1997
Number of classrooms
5

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TV Room
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area
  • Sports Activities

Teacher qualifications

Native English speakers
All
Teachers with English teaching certification
Over 50%
Teachers with college degrees
All

University partners

PIA has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in USA. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.

Clackamas Community College
George Fox University
Linfield College
Portland State University
University of Portland
Warner Pacific University
Willamette University

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at Pacific International Academy varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 20. In the summer, the average age is 20.

School holidays

PIA does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

PIA is located on the campus of Warner Pacific University. The beautiful campus is next to one of Portland's biggest parks, Mount Tabor Park. While the campus is in a residential area, it is also close to Portland's downtown, which is easily accessible by public transportation. PIA is located approximately 20 minutes from Portland International Airport.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Building of Pacific International Academy 1/14
  • Activities offered at Pacific International Academy 2/14
  • Classroom at Pacific International Academy 3/14
  • Activities offered at Pacific International Academy 4/14
  • Students of Pacific International Academy 5/14
  • Classroom at Pacific International Academy 6/14
  • Reception of Pacific International Academy 7/14
  • City of Portland 8/14
  • Entrance to Pacific International Academy 9/14
  • City of Portland 10/14
  • Homestay housing offered by Pacific International Academy 11/14
  • Teachers and Staff at Pacific International Academy 12/14
  • Library at Pacific International Academy 13/14
  • Common room at Pacific International Academy 14/14
housing

Housing

PIA offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

NZ$ 404
weekly
Age range: 15 years old and older
Location: Outside the city center of Portland
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Distance to school: 75 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
NZ$ 404
PIA host families provide a welcoming and caring home to our students. All host families offer clean homes in the vicinity of the campus. All students are provided with a private furnished room, food for all meals, and access to WiFi. All homestays are within 75 minutes of campus and most are within easy access of public transportation.

All host families are carefully screened. A PIA housing coordinator visits a home before students move in to make sure it is a good place for students to live. The coordinators work hard to ensure that students are paired with a host family that is a good match. PIA assists students in adjusting to their new living situation and provides support throughout the term.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

If you are studying full time in the United States for more than 18 hours per week, you will receive an I-20 that you need to submit to the US embassy along with your F-1 student visa application. The I-20 has a SEVIS tracking number on it. Students who wish to apply for a student visa must pay the SEVIS fee online before going to the US embassy or consulate for their visa interview.

Your I-20 will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged $75 when you register.

Please note that United States law states that an I-20 can only be issued to students who intend to pursue full-time English language studies. United States law does not permit students to study part-time with an F-1 Student Visa. If you are studying for less than 18 hours per week, you have to apply for a Visitor Visa (B1/B2) on your own.

Learn more about how to get a US student visa »

Visit the US Department of State website »

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Portland based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Pacific International Academy staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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