Challenge
In 2023, an Intensive English Academy in Saudi Arabia sought to elevate its academic English program to compete with top institutions preparing students for study in the United States. While many local programs successfully trained students to pass the TOEFL, they often lacked a focus on real-world communication—the skills students need to interact confidently with university professors, administrators, and peers, participate in classroom discussions, deliver presentations, and navigate academic and social life on U.S. campuses.
Action
I designed a comprehensive curriculum proposal that bridged this gap by integrating academic language proficiency with authentic communicative practice. The curriculum guides students from beginner to proficient through sequenced modules emphasizing critical thinking, discussion-based learning, and presentation skills. The program culminates in experiential learning projects where students apply English in real-world contexts—simulating campus interactions, professional networking, and cross-cultural communication.
Impact
The proposed curriculum positioned the Academy as a forward-thinking competitor among English programs in the region, redefining success beyond test preparation. By prioritizing fluency, confidence, and cultural adaptability, the design equips students not only to excel on standardized exams but also to thrive in academic, professional, and social settings in the United States—skills essential for success in Ivy League and other top-tier universities.
Challenge
In 2023, an Intensive English Academy in Saudi Arabia sought to elevate its academic English program to compete with top institutions preparing students for study in the United States. While many local programs successfully trained students to pass the TOEFL, they often lacked a focus on real-world communication—the skills students need to interact confidently with university professors, administrators, and peers, participate in classroom discussions, deliver presentations, and navigate academic and social life on U.S. campuses.
Action
I designed a comprehensive curriculum proposal that bridged this gap by integrating academic language proficiency with authentic communicative practice. The curriculum guides students from beginner to proficient through sequenced modules emphasizing critical thinking, discussion-based learning, and presentation skills. The program culminates in experiential learning projects where students apply English in real-world contexts—simulating campus interactions, professional networking, and cross-cultural communication.
Impact
The proposed curriculum positioned the Academy as a forward-thinking competitor among English programs in the region, redefining success beyond test preparation. By prioritizing fluency, confidence, and cultural adaptability, the design equips students not only to excel on standardized exams but also to thrive in academic, professional, and social settings in the United States—skills essential for success in Ivy League and other top-tier universities.
Supporting Materials
Each document in this section represents one of the five progressive levels of the curriculum—Beginner, High Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Proficient—designed to guide students from foundational English skills to near-native fluency.
Every level includes detailed modules for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, as well as clearly defined grammar objectives, learning strategies, and assessment methods that build upon each other in complexity. Together, these materials emphasize communicative competence, academic fluency, and cross-cultural adaptability—skills essential for thriving in U.S. higher education and professional settings.
Supporting Materials
Each document in this section represents one of the five progressive levels of the curriculum—Beginner, High Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Proficient—designed to guide students from foundational English skills to near-native fluency.
Every level includes detailed modules for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, as well as clearly defined grammar objectives, learning strategies, and assessment methods that build upon each other in complexity. Together, these materials emphasize communicative competence, academic fluency, and cross-cultural adaptability—skills essential for thriving in U.S. higher education and professional settings.