Intensive English

Portland English Language Academy

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Course description

Intensive English Program

The Intensive English course focuses on building individual English language skills and overall English communication skills.

BENEFITS of the Intensive English Program:
•Quickly improve your English communication and conversation skills.
•Obtain a high level of English in a short amount of time.
•Prepare yourself to use English in a work or university environment.

20 Required class hours per week, plus 10 optional hours

REQUIRED Weekly Activities
•10 Hours of Focused English Skills Classes
◦Reading & Vocabulary
◦Writing
◦Listening & Speaking
◦Pronunciation
•10 Hours of Communication Skills Classes
◦Integrated Skills
◦Grammar for Communication

OPTIONAL Weekly Activities
• Conversation Groups (+10 hours per week)
• Tutoring Center (+8 hours per week)
• IELTS Preparation (+4 hours per week)
• Academic English (+4 hours per week)

Course topics

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

Class schedule

Course duration
4-48 weeks
Start dates
06 Jan 2025, 03 Feb 2025, 03 Mar 2025, 07 Apr 2025, 05 May 2025, 02 Jun 2025, 30 Jun 2025, 04 Aug 2025, 02 Sep 2025, 29 Sep 2025, 27 Oct 2025 and 24 Nov 2025
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
28 Nov 2024 - 29 Nov 2024, 14 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025, 20 Jan 2025, 17 Feb 2025, 22 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025, 26 May 2025, 04 Jul 2025, 19 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025, 01 Sep 2025, 13 Oct 2025, 27 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025, 22 Dec 2025 - 04 Jan 2026

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

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Morning session
09:00 AM - 12:50 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 12 students
Maximum 15 students

Student age

Age range 17 years old and older
Average 25 years old

Certificate

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

  • Activities offered at Portland English Language Academy 1/13
  • Activities offered at Portland English Language Academy 2/13
  • Activities offered at Portland English Language Academy 3/13
  • Students of Portland English Language Academy 4/13
  • Student residence offered by Portland English Language Academy 5/13
  • Activities offered at Portland English Language Academy 6/13
  • Common room at Portland English Language Academy 7/13
  • Teachers and Staff at Portland English Language Academy 8/13
  • Students of Portland English Language Academy 9/13
  • Students of Portland English Language Academy 10/13
  • Activities offered at Portland English Language Academy 11/13
  • Portland English Language Academy 12/13
  • Portland English Language Academy 13/13
reviews

Reviews

83% recommend

based on 6 reviews
5 stars
3
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
1
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location

"My 24weeks"

Miki Sawa, student from Japan

I had learned English at PELA for 24 weeks since last October. At the first time, I couldn't talk to another students because I was so shy, and most students are older than me. But, PELA has many activities such as happy hour and party. Then, thanks to many opportunities I was able to spend six months happily. And above all, I could get not only English skills but also the opinions of various people through the classes.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
25 weeks
Date of study
24 Oct 2022 - 21 Apr 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"The best teachers ever and all the happy hours was amazing, my English skills is really better now"

Alissa Marcolino Fernandes, student from Brazil

It was an incredible experience! Since the first day of class, I've met incredible people who have become friends. the period I went was also the best because the classes are big compared to other months. and even then there are not so many people, in each room there was an average of 10 people at most. I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
31 May 2022 - 24 Jun 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"The teachers and staff always make you feel like home"

Andrea Rivera, student from Mexico

In general the experience was very good, the teachers are really qualify and they always wanted to make you that you understood the lessons, the location is perfect. I would have liked to had more activities inside the school not only the ones that you have to paid to go. I really liked the environment.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
14 weeks
Date of study
19 Nov 2018 - 1 Mar 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"I couldn't imagine how fantastic was my experience in PELA.!!!!!"

Augusto Muzilli Junior, student from Brazil

I’m really a man who had the most beautiful experience in PELA. The school, my classes, my friends, my time in Portland (amazing city), etc, everything so much special for me. I am so glad now because I had the chance to know PELA. I really can't choose the best teacher because all of them were so special to me. They are friendly, highly competent, cheerful and serious.
I am so thankful to all of them, and I mean each one of them. PELA is not just one more school for foreign students. PELA is like a big family, with the teachers, the students and the staff.
Of course, I recommend it to anyone who wants to study English.
If you want only one sentence to explain my experience, I will really say: PELA, THANKS VERY MUCH. TEACHERS, THANKS VERY MUCH!!!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
7 weeks
Date of study
1 May 2017 - 23 Jun 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Bad experience"

Abdullah Mohammed J Alfaifi, student from Saudi Arabia

I liked the location, the teacher, students and staff; they were respectful and friendly, but the learning was not at a high level.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
26 Oct 2015 - 20 Nov 2015
Would you recommend this school?
No
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"It was a very nice experience to have met new people."

Dayanna Cocucci, student from Venezuela

My experience was good with the school. We had very good and friendly teachers. Moreover, the school was very well situated. The only other thing I could say is that you need to do more to school activities on weekends such as organizing trips to other sites and places such as Portland, which has many beautiful places. The family I lived with were excellent; they were very friendly people and had good food.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
20 weeks
Date of study
4 May 2015 - 25 Sep 2015
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

PELA offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

NZ$ 404
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, laundry, telephone, wireless internet, free internet, heating, and other
Distance to school: 30 - 60 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, anytime
NZ$ 404
Study English in Portland and live in an English homestay for international students.

The Portland English Language Academy has it own housing coordinator to help students arrange homestays or the student house. Our housing coordinator is in our office every day to help you throughout your time here. A homestay is a great way to experience Portland life and American culture. Homestays are also a great way to improve your English while making life long friends.

We carefully choose our homestay families and we find the family that is the best match for you. All of our families are friendly and kind. They have clean, safe houses, and they are eager to open their homes to you.

In your homestay, you will have a private, furnished room. Two meals a day are provided (usually breakfast and dinner). Most Homestays are about 30 minutes away from school by bus or train.

The minimum stay for a homestay is one month. The homestay contract is month by month, but if both you and your host family agree, your homestay can last for as many months as you wish.

Due to the high demand of homestay, we cannot guarantee placement for students. If we are not able to find a homestay for you, you will receive a full refund of all housing fees and we will provide a list of housing resources that will help you find housing elsewhere.
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.

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 »

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 Portland English Language Academy staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question

"Is there availability for an elementary or total beginner student in the evening schedule?"

Unfortunately we only have the elementary level available in the morning session.

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