Intensive English Courses in Austin, Texas

HOFT Institute, Austin TX:
Located in beautiful Austin, the capital of Texas, HOFT Institute is a leading ESL school for international students and non-native English speakers in the USA. HOFT Institute — previously called the Intensive American English Institute — has over 35 years of experience in providing quality, intensive English language training to adult & teenage language students (of minimum age 16). Every year, we teach hundreds of international students from all over the world, and we welcome each person with open arms. We offer a wide range of ESL programs year-round for individuals & study groups at beginner to advanced levels - including Intensive English courses, Part-time English classes, a University Preparation program, English Language Exam Preparation courses, a Workforce Readiness Program, and more. Contact us today to discuss your English learning needs!

English Language Courses for Adults & High School Seniors in Austin TX:
- Basic beginner, elementary, intermediate, advanced English levels.
- Our Academic Calendar is semester-based with Spring, Summer, Fall programs.
- For adults and teenagers (minimum age is 16 years old) 

Full-Time, Intensive English Program for F-1 Students
- Students on an F-1 visa are required to study full time.

- At HOFT Institute, "Full-time study" in our Intensive English Program is 18 hours a week. We are the only English language program in Austin to offer both 2-day-a-week and 4-day-a-week programs for F1 students, and we have the most affordable program in the city for people on student visas. 

- Our "English Classes for F-1 Students" program is for adults and teenagers (minimum age of 16 years) at all levels of English proficiency, from beginner to advanced. 

- Students take reading, writing, listening/speaking, grammar, and elective courses (which change every semester based on general student interest).

- We have the only English language program in Austin that allows F-1 students to do both two-days-a-week (Monday to Thursday 9-2) and four-days-a-week (Tuesday & Thursday 9-7) programs that meet the requirements of their visa. Note that electives and 2-day programs are only available for students who test into our level 3 or higher.

- An F-1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a recognized US language school, college or university.

- All F-1 students that study in the United States need a Form I-20, which is a "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status."  HOFT Institute can give I-20s to a potential student if we receive all the documents we need.

- Features of this program include free academic advising, student club activities, social events, and daily conversation partner opportunities with American volunteers.

- Students can start almost any time in Spring, Summer, Fall.


Part-time English Classes for Non-F1 Students (Study without a Student Visa) 
• HOFT Institute has part-time English classes for local and international students on any visa besides M-1 (a type of student visa reserved for vocational & technical schools) or the F-1 visa.

• Our customizable, part-time program has classes for students at all levels of English proficiency. We offer this program option all semester and students are allowed to join at any point. With a customized program, part-time students get to pick how many hours they take and the days they have class.

• Part-time students have the option of taking reading, writing, listening and speaking, grammar and elective courses. All students will take a placement test that will help decide which class is best for them.


University Fast Track Program / Full-time: 
• The University Fast Track Program (UFTP) is designed for full-time international students preparing for admission to U.S. universities and colleges.

• Fast Track studies accelerate their preparation for study abroad through a combination of targeted services. The program is highly useful to any student seeking admission to a US higher education institution. UFTP guides and assists students through the admissions process and provides them with key skills required for academic success and, ultimately, their entry into the workforce.

University Fast Track Class Schedule:
• We offer flexible start dates, 15 week semesters, and 22.5 hours of class time each week.  Students have 4-day programs with academic seminars and multiple afternoon electives!

University Preparation Program features:
• Tuition, textbooks and fees including all workshops and seminars
• Test preparation (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT)
• TOEFL Test Registration Fees (two TOEFL tests offered per semester)
• Conditional acceptance to bridge/pathways programs at over 80 universities and colleges across the US
• Field trips, cultural and professional enrichment activities
• University Admissions Consultation
• Personalized mentoring
• Housing selection assistance
• Airport pick up

Program Benefits
• 5 courses = 22.5 hours of intensive English each week
• 2 Institutional TOEFL exams per semester
• 1 specialized professional development seminar per month
Includes: business writing, public speaking, effective study skills, etc.  See the list and dates of monthly workshops below.
• Up to 10 hours of personalized supplemental instruction per semester
• TOEFL waivers with our partner schools
• On-site translation services
• Personal mentoring
• Off-campus social activities


Workforce Readiness Program:
• Program Period: 4 weeks, specific dates to be decided by the participants. Please give HOFT Institute a 60-day advance notice of preferred dates.

• The HOFT Institute’s Workforce Readiness Program is a mix of classroom instruction, field trips and a 40-hour internship program all designed to prepare final and pre-final year students for success in today’s competitive job market. Participants benefit from an immersive four-week professional communication and development program delivered by the HOFT Institute at their campus in the heart of Austin, Texas.

Guaranteed Conditional Acceptance
• Students desiring to study at US institutions of higher learning are guaranteed acceptance at one of HOFT Institute’s partner colleges and universities across the United States. 


Elective Courses for Individuals & Groups: 
Each semester, we offer up to 9 different electives. Please contact us for the most up-to-date list. Some of the possible elective options and specialist subjects are listed below. 

If you would like to arrange for a special study program for a group of 5 or more students, taught at a specific time, contact us below to arrange it (One month's notice is required to create classes for specialist subjects and themes not already offered in the current semester.)

• English Language Exam Preparation Courses (Electives)

TOEFL Preparation Classes:
The TOEFL iBT Test (internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) is designed to evaluate a student’s English proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking in an academic setting. 

The goal of this class is to enable each student in the class to get the highest score possible on the TOEFL exam. The class will focus on supporting skills such as note taking, paraphrasing, and summarizing, high-level grammar points, and test-taking strategies for each of the sections of the test. Students will have many chances to practice through exercises and practice tests.

IELTS Preparation Classes:
Graduates of this course will be able to discuss the contents of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test, show improvement in their abilities to speak, listen, read and write academic English, use academic vocabulary, and use tips and strategies to improve performance on the IELTS test.

The goal of this course is to ensure achievement of the highest possible scores for students taking the academic and general versions of the exam. The class involves diagnostic exams, development of supporting skills, and test-taking strategies for each section. Moreover, regular speaking and writing practice will be a key part of every week’s classes to prepare students for interviews and writing tasks.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
The GRE General Test is taken by prospective graduate school applicants and measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing Skills.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Students can set up classes for 10, 30, or 50 hours of instruction. Personalized attention helps students attain the highest results possible. 


• Electives for the BUSINESS WORLD

Business English Classes:
This course will explore the world of business and give students the opportunity to develop the language skills they need for professional success. Students will learn to format business letters, write a resume, and prepare for interviews, among other skills.

English for the Hospitality Industry:
This course focuses on the language needs of people working in hotels, restaurants, and other industries where the “soft skills” of client-service provider are essential. Role-plays and discussion of real-life situations are dealt with, and pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar are all focused upon.

English for Computers:
Learn English and computers at the same time. Students will learn typing, internet searches, and Google Apps.  Participants will learn to format personal and business letters, write using templates, and create academic essays in an independent and collaborative environment.  By the end of the course, students will have the terminology and skills needed for the 21st century.


• Elective with a MEDICAL FOCUS

English for Health Sciences
We provide a specialized language preparation elective class for non-native English speakers interested in becoming medical professionals (nurses, care givers, and doctors) as a part of our ESL program. The goal is to familiarize students of health sciences with key field-specific language that is not included in general ESL programs.

This elective course involves speaking, listening, reading and writing activities incorporating hundreds of commonly used terms and expressions relating to the fields of medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other health sciences.


• Electives for UNIVERSITY PREPARATION

University Lectures, Readings, and Research Writing: 
These English classes help students planning to enter university who want more practice listening to authentic academic lectures. It will teach various note-taking methods, such as the Cornell Method, SQ3R, etc. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the extensive listening they will experience in the university lecture hall or seminars.

Based on student interests, university-level texts will be analyzed, with weekly amounts of required reading similar to what you would experience in a college or university setting. The goal is to improve your reading speed, develop summarizing skills, and build your vocabulary for academic purposes.

Debate and Critical Thinking:
This course will help students increase their confidence, as well as improve pronunciation and grammar, by doing regular debates on hot topics. Critical analysis of researched information will be regular features of the class, so critical reading skills and argumentative/persuasive speaking ability will be developed throughout the course.


• Cultural Integration Classes (Electives)

American Accent Training:
Learn the rhythm and intonation of American style English to become an effective communicator. The goal is improved pronunciation, so pronunciation does not interfere with communication.

American Popular Culture and Idioms:
Students study and practice using cultural idioms. The goal of the course is to help students improve vocabulary and properly use expressions related to American life.  Students are introduced to popular cultural memes, influential TV shows, movies or online streaming video content, important American history, and famous media personalities.

English for Parenting:
This class will help non-native English-speaking parents in the Austin, Texas area and from across the U.S. to better deal with school, hospital, and social events relating to their family lives. Vocabulary building, grammar correction and pronunciation work are all focused on in this course. With daily speaking practice and error correction as a key focus, this English course will help you learn the appropriate vocabulary and expressions, as well as the cultural context for a variety of situations you may face here in the United States.

Discuss the many challenges of using English, whether it’s making a phone call, attending a social event, or talking to your children's teachers. This is an interactive class in which students are given a great deal of talking time. The teacher will bring in material but students are strongly encouraged to contribute their own ideas and help choose the aspects of American life that are discussed.

English for Athletes:
Students taking this course will learn about anatomy, physiology, and the terminology of weight training, cardiovascular training, and whichever key sport or sports the group chooses to focus on. Vocabulary and pronunciation are the key areas of study. 

US Culture through Music:
This course will educate students about American history, popular culture and musical traditions. Study of lyrics will aid learners to understand a wide range of colloquialisms. Course tasks will include discussion of readings, critiques of video material, and extensive discussion and presentation activities.

English in the News:
This class works to improve knowledge and use of all communication skills in a journalistic setting. The goal is to help students develop teamwork skills and confidence when making videos, mixed-media projects, newscasts/infomercials, or a school “yearbook.” Each participant will do research, writing and editing of projects that will be shown to classmates at the Institute.  Students will examine English in news media to enhance their vocabulary and reading skills.

Short Works of English Literature:
This course would involve the study of short stories, poems and short novels of famous writers. The goal is to introduce learners to the world of English literature and create an interest in reading that will benefit them long after the course has finished.


Private English Lessons at HOFT Institute:
One-on-one tutoring for a variety of subjects is available to our students. Private tutoring allows you to set your own schedule, benefit from the individual attention of the English teacher, and work closely with highly-experienced tutors to target their areas of focus. Examples of subjects available include- Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking
- English Grammar / Vocabulary
- TOEFL iBT, IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT
- College & University-level coursework


Student Reviews / Testimonials:
•  "After taking the GMAT prep course, my test scores increased by 100 points. They helped me understand the mindset of test makers so that I could become a better test taker. I went to the testing center confident and calm because I knew exactly what to expect."
Carrie

•  "It was one of the best experiences in my life. I could learn another language, know people from different parts of the world, and  share cultures… Everybody should have this experience!"
Tiara, Brazil

"I'm glad to have met new people that now are so special. Although it was just 15 weeks, it is enough to learn what I need to learn and also learn about culture and other languages. I know that I need to learn more things and that learning a new language is not easy, but HOFT just gave me the tools to have the idea how to improve myself, although I’m so shy to speak and I’m so bad at explaining what I’m thinking, my experience was satisfactory because I didn’t just learn a little bit of English. Thank you for these three semesters in HOFT I really appreciate it."
- Aman, India