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
Aplication Deadline: October 15, 2024
Fall 2 2024
Course | English Proficiency | Dates | Day(s) | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
English for Effective Communication |
Intermediate |
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.
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.
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.
U N D E R S T A N D I N G
S P E A K I N G
W R I T I N G |
A1 |
A2 |
B1 |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
|
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.