MCC’s Intensive English Institute Earns Four-Year Accreditation

Middlesex Community College’s Intensive English Institute was accredited for four years with the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA). Middlesex is the second community college in Massachusetts, fourth in the U.S., and fifth globally to earn the distinction, according to Marilyn Glazer MCC’s Director of IEI & World Language Institute.

“MCC’s Intensive English Institute makes a remarkable difference in the lives of the students we serve, and we are ecstatic to have earned the distinction of accreditation with CEA for another four years until April 2026,” Glazer said. “We are constantly and consistently researching ways to improve the institute as we continue to provide the knowledge, skills and support to help students succeed in their U.S. higher education journeys. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.”

MCC’s 18 hours a week, 16-week program uses high-quality research and evidence-based curriculum to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills; academic, career and transfer advising; tutoring; and learning and social opportunities. The college has a long history of serving international students from all over the world – including Asia, Latin America and the Middle East – helping them build a foundation to be successful at the U.S. higher education level.

Speaking Creole and French, Sabine Metellus came to Lowell from Haiti two years ago. When her supervisor for her cashier job at Home Depot approached her for a promotion, Metellus wanted to improve her English language skills. While she chose MCC because the program was affordable, she gained a lot from a supportive learning environment. She is now enrolled in MCC’s Fall 2022 semester to start an associate degree.

“MCC’s IEI helped me a lot,” Metellus said. “It was the best decision I ever made since I came to this country. The teachers are great. They make us feel at home. They go above and beyond to support students in their personal challenges by being there to listen and give advice and show us the way to achieve our personal goals.”

From Japan and now living in Lexington, Hiroko Nakano is learning to speak and read in English. She started at Middlesex in the college’s Adult Learning Center and transitioned to the IEI. One of the biggest lessons Nakano has learned in her work with the IEI is to remove the letter “s” at the end of certain words when she speaks and writes. Through repetition, she is learning to develop habits and better understanding of English grammar.

“After taking classes, I feel better than before in any situation in English,” Nakano said. “I may still struggle, but I believe it could be better day by day. I realized how to develop my English effectively at IEI and I’ll continue to study English.”

The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for the accreditation of English language programs in accredited universities and colleges and of independent English language schools. CEA’s recognition allows accredited English language organizations to use their CEA accreditation for certification by SEVP (Department of Homeland Security) to admit international students.

The Middlesex Community College Intensive English Institute is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period April 2022 through April 2026 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.