American Collegiate Live English Course

You can save money while improving your English before you go to a university campus.

You will learn from expert instructors in engaging online classes.

You will get access to Shorelight services, such as free virtual tutoring and career services (including workshops and individual career counseling).

You will understand what to expect from your in-person university courses.

You will meet international students from around the world.

Based on your initial English test score, you will be placed in one of American Collegiate Live’s four tracks. Each track includes an English course. Open each tab below for more information about American Collegiate Live English courses — and don’t miss watching the sample lesson videos from our AE1, AE2, EAP1, and EAP2 courses!

Writing and Rhetoric [ENGU 103]

Track 1 English Score Requirement: IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 79 / iTEP 4.0 / DET 100.
ENGU 103 Course Description: This course is a first-year composition course that covers the same level and type of work that all university students must take as part of their General Education requirements. The course provides instruction that focuses on the writing process, evaluating and explaining ideas, critical reading, conducting library and Internet research, developing a research paper, and documenting research. Students will learn that reading is a complex process. Students are required to complete a minimum of 10,000 graded words in essays that include a researched essay. All work shall be submitted as part of a final writing portfolio.
Schedule and Length: ENGU 103 meets 2 times per week for 2.5 hours of live instruction. It is fully transferrable and earns 3 credit hours.
Concurrent Courses: In Fall or Spring, students take 3 other credit-bearing courses (earning up to 12 credits including this English course). In Summer, students take 2 other credit-bearing courses (earning up to 10 credits).

English for Academic Purposes 2 [EAP2]

Track 2 English Score Requirement: IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 68 / iTEP3.5 / DET 90.
EAP2 Course Description: This course is designed to help students improve their university level writing, as well as critical reading and classroom discussion skills. Students practice relating their ideas to those of others in discussions and using cohesive devices to link ideas in systematic written arguments. Students also practice basic research skills, become familiar with a range of typical academic writing tasks, improve their listening comprehension and notetaking skills, and increase their active academic vocabulary. The course combines student-centered, communicative activities with online reading practice and online self-study that reviews and expands on the classroom material. This course is intended to support students as they transition from English language-centered study to content-based instruction.
Level: High Intermediate (CEFR B2/B2+).
Schedule and Length: EAP2 meets for 2.5 hours per class day for 25 total days. The total course time is approximately 135 hours, including live instruction and homework.
Concurrent Courses: In Fall or Spring, students take 2 other courses (earning up to 7 credits). In Summer, they take 1 other course (earning 3-4 credits).
Sample lesson from EAP2:

English for Academic Purposes 1 [EAP1]

Track 3 English Score Requirement: IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL 60 / iTEP3.0 / DET 80.
EAP1 Course Description: This course develops students’ ability to read and listen critically and efficiently and to incorporate ideas they have learned about into academic discussions and short essays. Students practice the four main language skills—listening, reading, writing and speaking—as well increasing their active academic vocabulary. They develop critical thinking skills, note—taking strategies, and the ability to produce presentations and writing appropriate for a university classroom. The course combines student-centered, communicative activities with online reading practice and self-study that reviews and expands on the classroom material. Topics covered in the course come from a range of disciplines, including business, psychology, education, and anthropology.
Level: Intermediate (CEFR B1/B2-).
Schedule and Length: EAP1 meets for 1.75 hours in class from Monday to Friday. The total course time is approximately 170 hours in Fall and Spring and 125 hours in Summer, including live instruction and homework.
Concurrent Courses: In Fall or Spring, you will take 1 credit-bearing course (earning 3 credits). In Summer, you will take 1 credit-bearing course worth 1 credit.
Sample lesson from EAP1:

Academic English 2 [AE2]

Track 4 AE2 English Score Requirement: IELTS 4.5 / TOEFL 47 / iTEP 2.5 / DET 70.
AE2 Course Descriptions: This course is designed to improve students’ listening and reading comprehension and speaking and writing skills. Students read and listen actively while taking notes. They also learn to find the main idea and details in readings and to organize ideas when writing paragraphs. During class, they learn and practice conversation skills and create simple presentations. They move beyond simple expressions to use language with more creativity. The course combines in-class practice from classroom texts with online self-study.
Level: Low Intermediate (CEFR A2+/B1-).
Schedule Details: AE2 meets for 3 hours in class Monday through Friday and requires 5 hours per week of online activities outside of class. The total course time is approximately 244 hours in Fall and Spring and 184 hours in Summer.
Concurrent Courses: AE2 is full-time English. There are no credit-bearing courses.
Sample lesson from AE2:

Academic English 1 [AE1]

Track 4 AE1 English Score Requirement: IELTS 3.5 / TOEFL 30 / iTEP 1.5 / DET 60.
AE1 Course Description: This course helps students improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students increase their vocabulary so that they can understand and communicate better. They read short texts and practice taking notes in different ways. They write clear sentences and begin to create simple paragraphs. Students ask and answer questions and give opinions in conversation practice. The course combines in-class practice from classroom texts with online self-study.
Level: Elementary (CEFR A2).
Schedule Details: AE1 meets for 3 hours in class Monday through Friday and requires 5 hours per week of online activities outside of class. The total course time is approximately 244 hours in Fall and Spring and 184 hours in Summer.
Concurrent Courses: AE1 is full-time English. There are no credit-bearing courses.
Sample lesson from AE2:

1) I am worried I will not be able to understand an online course in English. Can American Collegiate Live help me?

a) Yes! Our online platform was designed to be easy for international students to use. You will be able to quickly join the lectures and find your eBooks and assignments.

2) Do I need a visa to study with American Collegiate Live?

a) No. You can study online while you are waiting for your visa. This way, you can develop your English proficiency and gain course credits so you will be successful when you arrive in the US.

3) Will I be able to learn enough online to improve my English?

a) According to Cambridge Exams, about 180-200 hours of guided instruction is needed to advance to the next level of English. All American Collegiate Live English levels meet this criteria. Track 4 courses are at least 180 hours long. In Tracks 2 and 3, students gain some of their English proficiency through credit-bearing courses in English.

4) Do I have to take an exit test to move up between American Collegiate Live levels and tracks?

a) No. There is no level exit test required. You can quickly progress up the levels each semester simply by passing your courses.

5) Can I get university course credit in Track 4?

a) No. Students in Track 4 study academic English full time to prepare for university studies.

6) What do past students say about taking American Collegiate Live courses?

a) While there are pros and cons to studying online, our past American Collegiate Live students have been very grateful for the opportunity to start their degrees from the comfort of their home/country. Don’t take our word for it: Read this article and this article and watch these testimonials.