Au Pair Language & Culture

Program Facts

  36 Hours/Course

   Intermediate to Advanced Levels, CEFR B1-C2

   In-person instruction on the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder campus

   J-1 from a Sponsoring Au Pair Agency

The Au Pair Language & Culture Program is designed to help au pairs fulfill the English instruction requirement for a J-1 visa. Each course provides 36 hours of instruction and au pairs can take two courses to meet the 72-hour requirement. Courses are designed for intermediate to advanced level speakers of English.

  • Engage with other au pairs
  • Polish your writing, reading, listening, speaking, grammar, pronunciation, and presentation skills
  • Expand your understanding of US culture
  • Collaborate on projects and presentations
  • Gain confidence in English
  • Receive a certificate of completion

Fall 2 24 Au Pair Flyer

 

Aplication Deadline: October 15, 2024

Fall 2 2024

Course English Proficiency Dates Day(s) Time
English for Effective Communication 

Intermediate
(CEFR B1-B2)

October 22 - December 17

Tu/Th 6:45 - 8:45 PM
Business English* High Intermediate
(CEFR B2 -C1)
October 22 - December 17 Tu/Th

6:45 - 8:45 PM 

  • *Students must purchase a textbook for this course
  • Tuition = $300 USD
  • 3 credits toward your J1 visa education requirement
  • All courses include an online component
  • All dates, course offerings, and prices are subject to change without notice.
  • Tuition is due on the first day of class unless otherwise noted.​
  • Students must purchase a Buff OneCard (university ID) for a one-time $30 fee to access classroom buildings (a second course does not require the purchase of the Buff OneCard).  The Buff OneCard can also be used to obtain a variety of student discounts.

 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
 

In the U.S., a student’s education record is considered confidential and will not be released, with certain exceptions, without the student’s written permission. For instance, if your au pair agency or LCC contacts the IEC to confirm that you are taking a course, the IEC will not be able to respond without your written permission. By signing the Release of Non-Directory Information from the Student Education Record, you give the IEC permission to respond to your au pair agency or LCC’s inquiries about your education record.

If you want to give such permission, please sign the form and indicate who may receive this information.

No. Your instructor will give you a diagnostic assignment on the first day of class to identify your strengths and areas of improvement. Before enrolling in a course, please verify your English proficiency using the Self-Assessment in the tab below.
Yes. You will receive a certificate if you successfully complete all course work and meet attendance requirements.
Most au pair courses do not require you to purchase a textbook. The TOEFL Preparation course is the only course that requires a textbook purchase at this time. We will use Express to the TOEFL iBT Test.
Bring a notebook, a pen or pencil, the textbook, and a folder to all classes.
Please email your instructor if you will be late to class or will miss a class. Students who are in good academic standing are allowed to make up missed coursework online with no loss of hours.

 

 

Applying to the program is simple.

  • Complete the
  • Make sure you have the application documents needed to apply. Standard application materials are listed below.
  • You must be 18 years of age (from your date of birth) by the first day of the course for which you are applying.

Standard Application Materials

  • Completed Au Pair Language & Culture Program Application Form
  • Photocopy of the identification page of your passport
  • Passport style photo for your Buff OneCard

TOEFL Test Preparation 

This course provides students with strategies and test-taking practice for the TOEFL iBT. Students will review test format and scoring, and practice with actual tests, in addition to refining their underlying academic skills in vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Students are required to purchase a TOEFL test preparation textbook for use in the class. 

Course will include 12 hours of asynchronous online coursework.

 

Business English 

This course teaches students how to write and speak effectively in U.S. business situations. Students gain practice in writing clear, concise, accurate, and persuasive texts, emails, memos, and short reports. They learn the art of small talk and conduct short presentations, conference calls, and simulated meetings. Students gain confidence as they develop their ability to target communication for managers, colleagues, direct reports, and clients.  

Course will include 12 hours of asynchronous online coursework.

 

Effective Communication in English 1 & 2 

In this course, students develop their English writing, reading, listening, speaking, and grammar skills in interactive and engaging lessons. Through meaningful and authentic activities, students expand their language skills, helping them to communicate confidently with their U.S. families, peers, and community. 

Course will include 4 hours of asynchronous online coursework.

Please verify your English language proficiency before registering for a course using the CEFR Self-Assessment grid below. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Listening 

I can recognise familiar words  and very basic phrases  

concerning myself, my family  and immediate concrete  

surroundings when people speak  slowly and clearly.

I can understand phrases and the  highest frequency vocabulary  related to areas of most  

immediate personal relevance  (e.g. very basic personal and  family information, shopping,  local area, employment). I can  catch the main point in short,  clear, simple messages and  

announcements.

I can understand the main points of  clear standard speech on familiar  matters regularly encountered in work,  school, leisure, etc. I can understand  the main point of many radio or TV  programmes on current affairs or  topics of personal or professional  interest when the delivery is  

relatively slow and clear.

I can understand extended speech and  lectures and follow even complex lines  of argument provided the topic is  

reasonably familiar. I can understand  most TV news and current affairs  programmes. I can understand the  majority of films in standard dialect.

I can understand extended speech even  when it is not clearly structured and  when relationships are only implied  and not signalled explicitly. I can  understand television programmes and  films without too much effort.

I have no difficulty in understanding any  kind of spoken language, whether live or  broadcast, even when delivered at fast  native speed, provided I have some time  to get familiar with the accent.

Reading 

I can understand familiar names,  words and very simple sentences,  for example on notices and  

posters or in catalogues.

I can read very short, simple  texts. I can find specific,  

predictable information in  

simple everyday material such as  advertisements, prospectuses,  menus and timetables and I can  understand short simple personal  letters.

I can understand texts that consist  mainly of high frequency everyday or  job-related language. I can understand  the description of events, feelings and  wishes in personal letters.

I can read articles and reports concerned  with contemporary problems in which  the writers adopt particular attitudes or  viewpoints. I can understand  

contemporary literary prose.

I can understand long and complex  factual and literary texts, appreciating  distinctions of style. I can understand  specialised articles and longer technical  instructions, even when they do not  relate to my field.

I can read with ease virtually all forms of  the written language, including abstract,  structurally or linguistically complex texts  such as manuals, specialised articles and  literary works. 

Spoken  

Interaction

I can interact in a simple way  provided the other person is  prepared to repeat or rephrase  things at a slower rate of speech  and help me formulate what I'm  trying to say. I can ask and  

answer simple questions in areas  of immediate need or on very  familiar topics.

I can communicate in simple and  routine tasks requiring a simple  and direct exchange of  

information on familiar topics  and activities. I can handle very  short social exchanges, even  though I can't usually understand  enough to keep the conversation  going myself.

I can deal with most situations likely  to arise whilst travelling in an area  where the language is spoken. I can  enter unprepared into conversation on  topics that are familiar, of personal  interest or pertinent to everyday life  (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and  current events).

I can interact with a degree of fluency  and spontaneity that makes regular  interaction with native speakers quite  possible. I can take an active part in  discussion in familiar contexts,  

accounting for and sustaining my views.

I can express myself fluently and  spontaneously without much obvious  searching for expressions. I can use  language flexibly and effectively for  social and professional purposes. I can  formulate ideas and opinions with  precision and relate my contribution  skilfully to those of other speakers.

I can take part effortlessly in any  

conversation or discussion and have a  good familiarity with idiomatic  

expressions and colloquialisms. I can  express myself fluently and convey finer  shades of meaning precisely. If I do have  a problem I can backtrack and restructure  around the difficulty so smoothly that  other people are hardly aware of it. 

Spoken  

Production

I can use simple phrases and  sentences to describe where I live  and people I know.

I can use a series of phrases and  sentences to describe in simple  terms my family and other  

people, living conditions, my  educational background and my  present or most recent job.

I can connect phrases in a simple way  in order to describe experiences and  events, my dreams, hopes and  

ambitions. I can briefly give reasons  and explanations for opinions and  plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my  reactions.

I can present clear, detailed descriptions  on a wide range of subjects related to my  field of interest. I can explain a  

viewpoint on a topical issue giving the  advantages and disadvantages of various  options.

I can present clear, detailed  

descriptions of complex subjects  integrating sub-themes, developing  particular points and rounding off with  an appropriate conclusion.

I can present a clear, smoothly-flowing  description or argument in a style  

appropriate to the context and with an  effective logical structure which helps the  recipient to notice and remember  

significant points. 

Writing 

I can write a short, simple  

postcard, for example sending  holiday greetings. I can fill in  forms with personal details, for  example entering my name,  

nationality and address on a hotel  registration form.

I can write short, simple notes  and messages relating to matters  in areas of immediate needs. I  can write a very simple personal  letter, for example thanking  someone for something.

I can write simple connected text on  topics which are familiar or of  

personal interest. I can write personal  letters describing experiences and  impressions.

I can write clear, detailed text on a wide  range of subjects related to my interests.  I can write an essay or report, passing on  information or giving reasons in support  of or against a particular point of view. I  can write letters highlighting the  

personal significance of events and  experiences.

I can express myself in clear, well structured text, expressing points of  view at some length. I can write about  complex subjects in a letter, an essay or  a report, underlining what I consider to  be the salient issues. I can select style  appropriate to the reader in mind.

I can write clear, smoothly-flowing text in  an appropriate style. I can write complex  letters, reports or articles which present a  case with an effective logical structure  which helps the recipient to notice and  remember significant points. I can write  summaries and reviews of professional or  literary works.

 

Students may add or withdraw from a course one of two ways:

  • Via email to Program Manager Carolyn Allen carolyn.allen@colorado.edu
  •  In person at:
    International English Center
    1030 13 th Street, Boulder

The last day to drop the course and receive a full refund is September 3, 2024.

We understand that au pairs’ work obligations may sometimes conflict with class time. However, when students are absent from class, not only is the learning of the absent student affected, but the learning of all students in the class is affected. Class attendance and participation is extremely important, so please try to arrive on time and be prepared to contribute. If you must miss a class, please inform your instructor prior to the class if possible. Students make up missed coursework online.

The IEC requires a minimum of 85% attendance. For any missed session, students are encouraged to make up coursework. Below describes the limits of acceptable absences for the two courses offered:
Students may miss two class meetings and still meet the minimum attendance requirement. After the second absence, students are required to complete online makeup coursework to receive credit for missed classroom hours.
Students may miss one class session and still meet the minimum attendance requirement. After the first absence, students are required to complete online makeup coursework to receive credit for missed classroom hours.
 NOTE: A certificate will only be awarded to students who successfully complete the course – this includes both coursework and classroom hours.

We understand that your work situation may cause you to be late from time to time. However, please try to arrive to class on time. If you arrive between 15-45 minutes after the start time of the class, you are considered late.
If you are late 3 times, that counts as 1 absence. If you are more than 45 minutes late to class, you are considered ABSENT. We strongly encourage you to come to class, even though you are considered absent, so you are prepared to complete homework and other required assignments Leaving class early will have the same consequences as arriving late.