Our curriculum is taught using the communicative approach to language teaching, and is designed to teach the integrated skills of English language listening, reading, speaking and writing. Students practice using the integrated skills simultaneously rather than individually in order to mimic natural language acquisition. In addition to integrated language skills, students will acquire cultural knowledge throughout their course of study through skill activities presented in cultural context, using music, stories, games, movies, and other materials that are likely to be encountered in real-world scenarios. Students are encouraged to communicate in English as often as possible and are consistently presented with language activities to develop functional language skills. Instructors facilitate communicative learning by tailoring lessons to the specific needs of the class, and planning group activities and other interactions which produce meaningful communication between students.

IIFA encourages all ESL instructors to utilize TESOL’s principles of exemplary teaching of English learners by:

• Spending time to get to know their students.
• Setting high standards and motivating students forward.
• Carefully design lessons that provide understandable input for students.
• Assess student understanding during class and adjust the lesson accordingly.
• Frequently interact with individual students to assess their language development.
• Work alongside other instructors to share lesson plans, class materials, and expertise for the further benefit of students.