GSIE Launches Intensive English Program; New Director Hired

Cassandra Thomas

Tim Meadows

The Graduate School and International Education at the University of Arkansas is launching a new Intensive English Program in spring 2025 for non-native English-speaking undergraduate and graduate students. Toward this goal, GSIE has hired Tim Meadows as the new director leading the development of the program.

Meadows is an experienced instructor of English as a second language. He is leading the Intensive English Program designed to develop students' speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. In addition, the program prepares students academically for collegiate study by developing critical thinking, problem solving, note-taking, and study habit skills.

"Many non-native English speaking students come to the U of A needing additional support and instruction to gain the English language skills they need to succeed as a student here," Meadows said. "This program will develop students' English proficiency and knowledge of American culture through interactive, intensive classes led by expert faculty."

Meadows taught English as a second language for nearly two decades, a career that includes teaching both abroad and in the United States. Most recently, he served as an ESL instructor at the University of Nebraska.

"I am so excited to be at the University of Arkansas and direct the Intensive English Program," Meadows said. "I love helping students succeed in their studies, and the IEP will do this by helping students acquire a strong foundation in English that sets them up for success."

The program will offer instruction at six proficiency levels of English. Students will be placed in a level based on their scores from the Michigan English Placement Test, which they will complete upon enrollment to the program to assess their competency level. Courses will occur over eight-week sessions beginning in the spring; sessions will also be available during the summer and fall semesters.

The program's curriculum includes:

• 75 minutes of reading and writing per day, five days each week
• 75 minutes of speaking and listening per day, five days each week
• 50 minutes of learning with academic technology per day, three days each week
• 50 minutes of American culture per day, two days each week

"Our curriculum is rooted in research on best practices to gain language proficiency in a short, but intensive period of study," Meadows said.

The University of Arkansas developed the Intensive English Program after its respected with the Spring International Language Center ended last year.

For more information or to apply for the program, visit the Intensive English Program website or email UofAIEP@uark.edu.